In the closing days of his administration, outgoing President Joe Biden has authorized the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Oman, sparking controversy over the decision.
Among the detainees are two men identified as former bodyguards for al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
The detainees, held at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were captured following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.
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Despite being held for over two decades, none of the men were charged or put on trial.
The transfer aligns with the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce the population at the facility and work toward its closure.
In a statement, the Department of Defense acknowledged Oman’s role in facilitating the transfer.
“The United States appreciates the willingness of the government of Oman and other partners to support ongoing U.S. efforts focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility,” the department stated.
The individuals transferred were identified as:
- Uthman Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Uthman
- Moath Hamza Ahmed al-Alwi
- Khalid Ahmed Qassim
- Suhayl Abdul Anam al Sharabi
- Hani Saleh Rashid Abdullah
- Tawfiq Nasir Awad Al-Bihani
- Omar Mohammed Ali al-Rammah
- Sanad Ali Yislam Al Kazimi
- Hassan Muhammad Ali Bin Attash
- Sharqawi Abdu Ali Al Hajj
- Abd Al-Salam Al-Hilah
Biden Empties GITMO of Eleven Detainees in the Final Days in the White House…
In the closing days of his administration, outgoing President Joe Biden has authorized the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Oman, sparking controversy over the decision.
Among… pic.twitter.com/fX15weBx0y
— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 7, 2025
The detainees include Moath Hamza Ahmed al-Alwi, alleged to have been part of bin Laden’s security detail in Afghanistan.
A 2016 declassified document noted al-Alwi’s extremist mindset, citing statements that supported the claim.
Another detainee, Suhayl Abdul Anam al Sharabi, is also reported to have been a bin Laden bodyguard.
A 2020 declassified file described him as having trained in Afghanistan before the 9/11 attacks and possibly linked to a foiled 9/11-style hijacking in Southwest Asia.
Critics have questioned the timing of the transfer, which comes just days before Biden leaves office.
The move has reignited debates about the risks posed by releasing detainees with extremist ties.
Concerns have also been raised about whether these individuals can be effectively “resettled” and rehabilitated.
The transfer has sparked controversy due to the historical significance of the Guantanamo Bay facility and the nature of the detainees’ alleged activities.
The decision has been seen by some as a parting gesture by the Biden administration to fulfill longstanding promises to close the facility.
Guantanamo Bay has long been a contentious symbol of the U.S. war on terror.
Efforts to close the facility have been met with logistical and political challenges, including resistance from Congress.
The release of detainees has often been scrutinized due to the potential risks posed by individuals with past connections to terrorist organizations.
As Biden’s term draws to a close, the transfer of these detainees marks another chapter in the debate over the future of Guantanamo Bay and the broader issue of balancing national security with human rights concerns.
Whether the resettlement process will address the risks posed by these individuals remains to be seen.
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