U.S. Forces Launch Mission in Syria to Transfer Detainees to Iraq

On January 21st, 2026, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a new mission to transfer ISIS-associated detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq. The move caused a great deal of concern among the international community and human rights advocates who expressed alarm over the US coordinating the mass illegal rendition and refoulement of detainees of many nationalities to Iraq, without assessing the risks of serious human rights violations including inhumane detention conditions, torture, unfair trials and the death penalty.