The US has relocated 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Oman, leaving 15 in custody—a historic low. Despite previous efforts to close the controversial facility, challenges persist, including international stability and political opposition.**
US Transfers 11 Guantanamo Detainees to Oman Amid Ongoing Controversy**
US Transfers 11 Guantanamo Detainees to Oman Amid Ongoing Controversy**
The recent transfer of Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay as part of the Biden administration's efforts to reduce the prison population raises critical questions about US detention policies and international cooperation.**
The Biden administration has successfully transferred 11 Yemeni detainees from the Guantanamo Bay military prison to Oman, marking the largest single-country transfer during this presidency. This operation leaves a mere 15 individuals remaining in the facility, representing the lowest population recorded in its two-decade history. The decision to relocate these detainees comes following a Department of Defense statement praising Oman's continued support in efforts to responsibly reduce the detainee population.
The detainees, who have not faced charges for over 20 years, include notable figures such as Moath al-Alwi—a model boat builder—and Shaqawi al Hajj, known for his hunger strikes advocating for his release. This transfer is significant as it occurs close to the scheduled guilty plea of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, raising questions about the timing and implications of the detainee movement.
Efforts to transfer these detainees have been complicated by Yemen's ongoing civil war, rendering it unsafe for potential repatriation. The Defense Department stated that the detainee transfers were cleared by national security review panels who deemed them consistent with US national security interests. Furthermore, the facility, established in 2002 post-9/11, has been a focal point of controversy regarding the treatment of detainees and the extended duration of their detention without charges.
Former President Barack Obama faced significant challenges in his attempt to close Guantanamo, citing its negative impact on US values globally. He transferred or released over 100 detainees but encountered congressional opposition on how to resolve the remaining detainee situation. His successor, Donald Trump, took a contrary stance, issuing an executive order to maintain the prison's operation, framing prisoner releases as detrimental to national security.
President Biden's administration seeks to continue the efforts to release more detainees and eventually close the facility, but it's unclear if this goal can be accomplished, especially with Trump’s return to the political spotlight. The debate over Guantanamo's future and the implications for US counter-terrorism efforts continues to evoke strong responses across the political spectrum, highlighting the complexity of national security, humanitarian concerns, and international laws.
