US-backed SDF sends 150 Daesh fighters to Iraq from Syria
U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) handed over more than 150 Daesh members to Iraq on Thursday.
- Middle East
- Compiled from wire services
- Published Date: 12:41 | 21 February 2019
- Modified Date: 12:42 | 21 February 2019
An Iraqi security official says the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), consisting mainly for PKK-affiliated People's Protection Units (YPG) terrorists, have handed over more than 150 Daesh members to Iraq.
The official says the Daesh terrorists were handed over to the Iraqi side overnight, and that they were now in a "safe place" and being investigated. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Ahmed al-Mahallawi, mayor of the Iraqi border town of al-Qaim, said 10 trucks transported the Daesh fighters to Iraq.
"The majority of them are Iraqis and the convoy was under maximum security protection headed to the Jazeera and Badiya military headquarters," Mahallawi said. Both military bases are located in Anbar province.
The handover comes as the YPG terrorists-led SDF is involved in a standoff over the final Daesh-held sliver of land in southeastern Syria, close to the Iraqi border.
Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi said Iraq will take back all Iraqi Daesh members, as well as thousands of their family members.