U.S. Transfers 11 Yemeni Detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Oman

The U.S. has announced the transfer of 11 Yemeni prisoners from its Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Oman, according to a recent press release from the Defense Department. Notably, none of these individuals were ever formally charged with any crimes. The current population of detainees at Guantanamo has now decreased to just 15, a record low since the facility’s inception in 2002. This joint task force-managed facility was established in response to President George W. Bush's declaration of a "war on terror" following the events of September 11, 2001.

Over the past month, the U.S. has executed several transfers, reducing the number of detainees from 30 as of December 16 to 15 as of January 6. This reduction aligns with the Biden administration's objectives to diminish the number of individuals held there, potentially paving the way for the facility’s closure. Presently, among the remaining detainees at Guantanamo, three are deemed eligible for transfer, while three others can be reviewed for transfer eligibility through a Periodic Review Board. Seven detainees are currently engaged in military commissions, which include notable cases such as the 9/11 incident and the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole, while two have already been convicted and sentenced.

High-profile detainees, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is accused of being the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, are anticipated to plead guilty during upcoming hearings in Guantanamo, with stipulations to remove the death penalty from consideration. The Defense Department indicated that ten of the transferred Yemeni detainees underwent a comprehensive interagency assessment, leading to a unanimous conclusion that they were suitable for transfer in line with U.S. national security interests. The other detainee, Tawfiq Nasir Awad Al-Bihani, was judged transfer-eligible via a distinct executive order process.

The individuals repatriated to Oman include a diverse list of detainees, highlighting the complex nature of the ongoing situation at Guantanamo. In September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had already informed Congress of the intention to repatriate these 11 detainees.