In brief
In a significant move, the U.S. military has sent 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantánamo Bay to Oman, reducing the facility's population to just 15 prisoners, none of whom were charged with crimes during their lengthy detentions. This transfer follows years of deliberation and highlights the Biden administration's commitment to ending the prison's operations.
In a noteworthy development, the U.S. military confirmed on Monday its decision to transfer 11 Yemeni prisoners from Guantánamo Bay to Oman, facilitating their reintegration into society. This action brought the total number of detainees remaining at Guantánamo to just 15, marking a historic low since the facility's establishment in 2002. The Pentagon disclosed that none of the released individuals had been formally charged over their two decades of incarceration. Among the remaining detainees, most have either faced charges or been convicted of serious offenses, signaling a significant shift in the prison's demographics. When President Biden assumed office, there were 40 prisoners, but he has since revived Obama-era initiatives aimed at closing the notorious detention center.The transfer operation, carried out in secrecy in the early hours of Monday, unfolded just as Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, regarded as Guantánamo’s most infamous detainee, was due to decide on entering a plea agreement linked to the September 11 attacks.The release had been under consideration for approximately three years, with an initial timeline set for October 2023 disrupted by legislative resistance. Notable among the released are Moath al-Alwi, recognized for his artistic pursuits during incarceration, and Hassan Bin Attash, sibling of a defendant linked to the September 11 conspirators. All 11 individuals were cleared for transfer by national-security assessment panels.While the U.S. remained tight-lipped about what assurances were sought from Oman in return for the transfer, it is important to note that Guantánamo prisoners cannot be sent back to Yemen, given the ongoing turmoil in the region, which hampers safe monitoring and rehabilitation processes for returnees.
