US Repatriates Guantanamo Bay Detainee Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi to Tunisia
In a significant move, the United States has transferred Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, a Tunisian detainee held at Guantanamo Bay since 2002, back to his home country of Tunisia. The U.S. Department of Defense announced the repatriation on December 31, 2024, following a thorough interagency review process that deemed him eligible for transfer.
Who is Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi?
Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, 59, was captured in late 2001 by Pakistani authorities near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Accused of having ties to al-Qaeda, he was transferred to Guantanamo Bay in 2002 but was never formally charged with any crime. Despite being cleared for transfer as early as 2009, delays in negotiations kept him detained for over two decades.
The Transfer Process
The repatriation process began in January 2024 when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin notified Congress of the intent to transfer al-Yazidi to Tunisia. After consultations with Tunisian authorities, the transfer was successfully completed. The Pentagon has not disclosed whether al-Yazidi accepted any guilt or provided details about his post-transfer conditions.
Guantanamo Bay’s Current Detainee Population
With al-Yazidi’s transfer, the detainee population at Guantanamo Bay now stands at 26, with 14 of them approved for transfer. This move is part of the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce the detainee population and work toward the eventual closure of the controversial facility.
Historical Context of Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay has been a contentious symbol of U.S. counterterrorism efforts since its opening in 2002. Critics have condemned the facility for its indefinite detentions without charge and harsh interrogation practices. Both Presidents Obama and Biden have pledged to close the facility, but progress has been slow due to legal and logistical challenges.
What This Means for the Future
The repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi marks a step forward in reducing the detainee population at Guantanamo Bay. However, challenges remain in addressing the remaining cases and fulfilling the Biden administration’s goal of closing the facility.
Key Takeaways
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Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, a Tunisian detainee held at Guantanamo Bay since 2002, has been repatriated to Tunisia.
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The transfer is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce the detainee population and close Guantanamo Bay.
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26 detainees remain at the facility, with 14 approved for transfer.
This development highlights the ongoing efforts to address the legacy of Guantanamo Bay while raising questions about the future of the remaining detainees and the facility itself.
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