The Biden administration has transferred 11 Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to Oman. Previously linked to al-Qaeda, these detainees were captured post the September 11 attacks.
Breitbart reported that on Monday, 11 terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay were resettled in Oman, facilitating President Biden’s intent to reduce the prison population.
The prisoners, all Yemeni nationals, were initially detained following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. They had been held at the Guantanamo Bay facility, a U.S. military prison established to detain and interrogate suspects in the global war on terror.
The decision to relocate these detainees was approved by national security officials over two years before the actual transfer. The approvals underscored a shifting approach toward handling long-term Guantanamo detainees.
Oman was selected as the destination for these individuals' transfer, which took place on a Monday. Specific details about the transfer date were not disclosed, but NPR News confirmed the execution of the plan.
Scheduled originally for October 2023, the transfer of the Yemeni detainees was postponed. This decision followed the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which raised fresh concerns about regional stability.
Oman has committed to assist in the resettlement process for these individuals. This includes providing housing, job opportunities, and other necessary supports to facilitate their reintegration into society.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy under President Biden to decrease Guantanamo’s detainee population, which aligns with his administration's goal to eventually close the facility.
This transfer builds on previous efforts where inmates from other nations were also moved out of Guantanamo. Recent movements included detainees from Kenya, Tunisia, and Malaysia, with plans to transfer an Iraqi detainee soon underway.
These relocation efforts reflect an ongoing commitment by the Biden administration to address the complex legacy of Guantanamo. The facility has long been scrutinized for its human rights record and legal controversies surrounding indefinite detentions.
In line with these actions, notable releases earlier included Assadullah Haroon Gul and Mohammad Mani Ahmad al-Qahtani. Gul, linked to Al-Qaeda, was released in June 2022, and al-Qahtani, a figure involved in the September 11 attacks, was sent back to Saudi Arabia in March 2022 after almost two decades.
The consistent transfer of detainees highlights a potential winding down of Guantanamo's operations, a promise President Biden has aimed to fulfill.
CNN reported on his expressed desire to close the facility by the end of his term.
This policy not only aims at rectifying a fraught chapter in U.S. military history but also at reinforcing international norms regarding the detention and treatment of prisoners.
The involvement of countries like Oman illustrates a collaborative international effort to resolve long-standing issues associated with the war on terror and its aftermath, particularly concerning individuals no longer deemed a significant threat.
The integration of former detainees into society poses various challenges and opportunities. Oman's role in accommodating these individuals offers a model of how countries can assist in complicated geopolitical contexts.