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3. Rubio Praises Iraq’s Detention of ISIS Members, Warns Against Iranian Influence

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday praised the Iraqi government’s “initiative and leadership” in accelerating the transfer and detention of ISIS terrorists to secure facilities inside Iraq.

According to a U.S. Department of State press release, Rubio held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani in light of recent instability in northern Syria, focusing on diplomatic efforts to press countries to swiftly repatriate their citizens currently detained in Iraq so they can be prosecuted under their own judicial systems.

Rubio and al-Sudani also addressed Iraq’s continuing political deliberations to form a government, underscoring a shared commitment to enabling Iraq to realize its potential as a pillar of stability, prosperity, and security in the Middle East.

According to the statement, Rubio stressed that a government under Iranian influence would be unable to prioritize Iraq’s national interests, shield the country from regional conflicts, or advance the mutually beneficial partnership between Baghdad and Washington.

Coordinated efforts

Last week, the U.S. military began the transfer of thousands ISIS detainees from Syrian prisons to more secure detention facilities Iraq in a coordinated move with Baghdad aimed at preventing the extremist group from taking advantage of the security vacuum that could emerge in Syria.

The mission began with U.S. forces transporting 150 ISIS members from a detention facility in the northeastern Hasakah province to a secure location in Iraq, with plans for up to 7,000 detainees to eventually be transferred to Iraqi-controlled facilities.

However, Prime Minister al-Sudani on Sunday called the transfer of ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraqi prisons “temporary,” urging countries to repatriate their nationals from among the terrorist group’s members.

He urged the concerned countries to “repatriate their nationals from ISIS members and bring them to trial so they may receive their fair punishment.”