In brief
The recent transfer of Yemeni detainees left just 15 men at Guantánamo Bay, reflecting ongoing efforts to close the facility.
The U.S. military executed a clandestine operation on Monday, transferring 11 Yemeni prisoners from Guantánamo Bay to Oman, in a decisive move that reduces the total number of detainees to the lowest point since the facility's inception in 2002. The Pentagon confirmed the release, emphasizing that none of the men had faced charges during their prolonged detention spanning nearly two decades. This strategic development arrives as the Biden administration approaches its conclusion, seeking to diminish Guantánamo's controversial legacy.Currently, only 15 individuals remain at the facility, and a substantial majority of them—nine men—are either facing charges for or have already been convicted of war crimes. Notably, the prisoner count stood at 40 when President Biden assumed office, presenting a conscious effort to revive measures aimed at the closure of the prison that was initially launched under the Obama administration.The operation was discreetly conducted in the early hours, just days ahead of a significant court proceeding for Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a figure notorious for his involvement in the September 11, 2001 attacks. The release had been under discussion for over three years, with its original implementation planned for October 2023, which saw a delay due to opposition from various Congressional members.Among the released individuals are Moath al-Alwi, who garnered attention for his artistic creations within the prison, as well as Abdulsalam al-Hela and Hassan Bin Attash, both linked to significant legal cases. All released detainees underwent scrutiny from national security review panels prior to transfer. U.S. officials did not disclose the specific arrangements made with Oman, a steadfast ally in the Middle East, nor the guarantees that the U.S. received in return. It should be noted that transferring Guantánamo detainees back to Yemen is legally prohibited due to the country's unstable conditions amid an ongoing civil conflict, which complicates monitoring and rehabilitation efforts for returnees.
