The slowdown comes after the Iraqi government requested additional time to manage the sensitive issue of foreign fighters and to prepare its detention infrastructure.

The transfers began earlier this month following growing instability in northeastern Syria.

Security concerns intensified after the collapse of local forces responsible for guarding prisons and camps holding thousands of suspected militants.

Initially, U.S. officials had planned to move as many as 7,000 detainees to Iraq within a short period. However, more than a week after the process started, only around 500 detainees have been transferred so far.

Iraqi judicial and security officials say the current pace reflects Baghdad’s caution rather than logistical failure. The government has reportedly asked Washington to pause or slow the transfers to allow broader diplomatic discussions.

A key issue is the presence of hundreds of foreign nationals among the detainees. Many of them are citizens of Western countries that remain reluctant to accept their return.

Iraq has urged these countries to take responsibility for their own nationals. Officials argue that Iraq should not become the default holding location for foreign jihadists captured elsewhere.

Those transferred so far reportedly include around 130 Iraqi nationals and approximately 400 foreign fighters. They have been placed in Iraqi detention facilities under heightened security arrangements.

Baghdad has also cited practical challenges. Existing prisons are already under strain, and authorities need time to prepare additional secure facilities.

The detainees were originally held in Syria for years without trial. Their detention followed the collapse of the Islamic State’s self-declared caliphate in 2019.

Since then, the fate of these fighters has posed a major dilemma for the international community. Legal, political, and security concerns have stalled repatriation efforts across Europe and beyond.

Western governments fear domestic backlash, legal complications, and potential security risks. As a result, many countries have preferred to leave their citizens in regional detention rather than bring them home.

The slowdown in transfers highlights the limits of unilateral solutions to a multinational problem. Without coordinated agreements, Iraq risks inheriting a long-term security burden.

U.S. officials have not publicly commented on the reduced pace of transfers. Silence from Washington has added to uncertainty around the future of the operation.

Meanwhile, instability in Syria continues to raise alarm over the safety of remaining detention centers. Any further breakdown could risk escapes or renewed militant activity.

Iraqi officials stress that their cooperation depends on shared responsibility. They argue that lasting security requires international participation, not just regional containment.

The situation underscores unresolved consequences of the fight against Islamic State. Even years after its territorial defeat, the group’s legacy continues to challenge global security systems.

As talks continue behind closed doors, the fate of thousands of detainees remains uncertain. For now, transfers move slowly, shaped as much by politics as by security concerns.

The appeal reflects Ankara’s growing concern that any breakdown in the truce could create opportunities for militant regrouping or trigger violence in northern and eastern Syria. Officials believe that a stable security environment is critical when dealing with high-risk prisoner movements involving extremist groups.

Turkey’s foreign minister stated that the ceasefire between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces plays a crucial role in ensuring safe coordination during the transfer of detainees. Without a functioning truce, clashes or disruptions could undermine efforts to control Islamic State remnants.

The presence of thousands of Islamic State prisoners in Syria has long posed a challenge for regional and international security. Many detainees are held in facilities guarded by local forces that face limited resources and constant threats of escape attempts or coordinated attacks.

Turkey argues that transferring detainees to Iraq could help reduce pressure on Syrian detention facilities, but only if the process is handled carefully. Any instability during transfers could allow militant cells to exploit gaps in security, increasing the risk of violence across borders.

Northern and eastern Syria remain politically and militarily complex, with multiple actors operating in close proximity. A ceasefire helps prevent misunderstandings and accidental confrontations, especially at a time when attention is focused on logistical and security coordination.

Turkish officials emphasised that disruptions to the truce could trigger broader consequences beyond Syria’s borders. Ankara fears that renewed fighting could fuel refugee movements, embolden extremist networks, and threaten regional trade and energy routes.

The issue also highlights the broader challenge of dealing with Islamic State detainees years after the group’s territorial defeat. While the organisation no longer controls territory, its ideology and networks continue to pose a threat to regional stability.

Turkey has repeatedly warned that prison breaks or poorly managed transfers could reverse hard-won gains against extremist groups. Officials stress that cooperation among regional actors is essential to prevent militants from exploiting political or military gaps.

The ceasefire is seen as a practical tool rather than a political settlement, aimed at managing immediate risks rather than resolving deeper conflicts. Turkish leaders argue that even temporary stability can significantly reduce the likelihood of violent incidents during sensitive operations.

Observers note that prisoner transfers involve not only physical security but also intelligence sharing and coordination between governments. A breakdown in trust or communication could undermine the entire process.

Turkey’s stance reflects a broader regional desire to prevent Syria from becoming a renewed hub for extremist activity. Maintaining calm during transfers is viewed as a necessary step toward containing long-term security threats.

The situation underscores how unresolved conflicts continue to complicate counterterrorism efforts across the Middle East. Even routine security operations can carry high risks in contested and unstable environments.

As transfers proceed, the durability of the ceasefire will be closely watched by regional governments and security analysts.

Any escalation could have consequences far beyond Syria’s borders.