Baghdad: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the Iraqi government's initiative to accelerate transferring and detaining the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorists in secure Iraqi facilities following recent unrest that destabilized northeastern Syria.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the remarks were made during a telephone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Sudani late Sunday, as outlined by US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott. The discussion between both sides focused on key issues, including ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure countries rapidly repatriate their citizens in Iraq and subject them to appropriate judicial processes and accountability measures.
Pigott further explained that both leaders reviewed Iraq's ongoing deliberations to form a government, emphasizing their shared commitment to ensuring that Iraq can fully realize its potential as a force for stability, prosperity, and security in the Middle East. Rubio highlighted that a government influenced by Iran cannot effectively prioritize Iraq's interests, keep the country out of regional conflicts, or advance the mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq.
Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the transfer of IS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, intending to ensure terrorists remain held in secure detention facilities. CENTCOM indicated that up to 7,000 IS detainees are expected to be transferred from Syria to facilities under the control of Iraqi security forces as part of coordinated counterterrorism efforts. The United States and its partner forces detained more than 300 IS elements in Syria during 2025, according to official figures released by the US military command.