Guantanamo Detainees Transfer: A Significant Step Towards Closure

The US has transferred 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Oman, marking the facility's lowest prisoner count in history at just 15. The transfer, endorsed by the Department of Defense, underscores ongoing efforts to reduce the detainee population and calls attention to past pledges to close the controversial prison.

In a notable development, the US military has successfully moved 11 Yemeni detainees from its notorious Guantanamo Bay prison to Oman. This transfer brings the number of remaining detainees down to a mere 15, signifying the smallest population in the facility’s troubled history. The Department of Defense issued a statement expressing appreciation for Oman’s cooperation in “responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing” the prison.

These detainees, who have endured over two decades of detention without being charged with any crimes — all following their capture shortly after the 9/11 attacks — represent a pivotal moment in the ongoing narrative surrounding Guantanamo. The transfer reportedly occurred unexpectedly during the early hours of Monday, coinciding with the upcoming plea of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged architect behind the September 2001 attacks.

President Joe Biden's administration has marked this transfer as the largest to a single nation while in office. The US has been working on efforts to resettle these individuals in Oman for multiple years, as returning them directly to Yemen has been deemed unfeasible due to the nation’s ongoing civil conflict.

Among the men transferred is Moath al-Alwi, who gained recognition for crafting model vessels from materials scavenged in prison, and Shaqawi al Hajj, known for embarking on hunger strikes to voice his discontent regarding his detainment. Their transfer was made possible after reviews by federal national security panels that determined it would align with US national interests.

Just days prior, the Pentagon had announced the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, one of the prison's original detainees, to Tunisia. There remain three detainees among the 15 who also qualify for transfer, as the military facility continues to operate within the confines of a US naval base in Cuba, established in post-9/11 America.

Debate surrounding Guantanamo’s existence has been fierce, with former President Obama labeling the detention center as inconsistent with American values, while facing congressional opposition when attempting to facilitate its closure. This dynamic continued under the Trump administration, which prioritized keeping the facility operational over humanitarian concerns.

President Biden’s administration has committed to further reducing the detainee population in an effort to ultimately phase out the contentious prison, although future closures may not occur immediately. The latest transitions highlight the ongoing complexities and challenges tied to Guantanamo Bay and its legacy, which continues to evoke strong reactions both domestically and internationally.