US Secretary of State praises Iraqi initiative to secure ISIS detainees

WASHINGTON, Jan 26 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the Iraqi government's initiative to accelerate transferring and detaining the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorists in secure Iraqi facilities following recent unrest that destabilized northeastern Syria.
The remarks were made during a telephone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Sudani late Sunday, according to US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, who outlined the key issues discussed between both sides.
Pigott said Rubio and Al-Sudani discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure countries rapidly repatriate their citizens in Iraq and subject them to appropriate judicial processes and accountability measures.
He added that both sides also reviewed Iraq's ongoing deliberations to form a government, emphasizing their shared commitment to ensuring that Iraq can fully realize its potential as a force for stability, prosperity, and security in the Middle East.
Pigott noted that Rubio stressed that a government controlled by Iran cannot successfully put Iraq's own interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts, or advance the mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq.
Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced last Wednesday the transfer of IS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, explaining the move aims to ensure terrorists remain held in secure detention facilities.
CENTCOM said up to 7,000 IS detainees are expected to be transferred from Syria to facilities under the control of Iraqi security forces as part of coordinated counterterrorism efforts.
The United States and its partner forces detained more than 300 IS elements in Syria during 2025, according to official figures released by the US military command. (end) amm.ahm