11 Yemeni Detainees Transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Oman Amid Calls for Justice
Department of Research, Studies and International News 07-01-2025
In a significant development, the United States has transferred 11 Yemeni detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Oman after holding them for over two decades without formal charges. This move is part of ongoing efforts by Washington to address the legacy of the infamous prison, which has been a focal point of criticism since its establishment in the early 2000s during the so-called “war on terror.”
The U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement expressing gratitude to Oman for facilitating the transfer. “The United States appreciates the willingness of the government of Oman and other partners to support ongoing efforts to responsibly reduce the detainee population at Guantanamo and work toward its eventual closure,” the statement read.
Among the detainees transferred was Sharqawi al-Hajj, who endured nearly 23 years of detention, including two years of alleged torture in CIA custody before being sent to Guantanamo. His time at the facility was marked by repeated hunger strikes and hospitalizations as he protested the conditions of his confinement. Pardiss Kebriaei, a lawyer with the U.S.-based Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and al-Hajj’s legal representative, commented on the transfer: “Our thoughts are with Mr. al-Hajj as he transitions to the free world after decades of unjust captivity. His release offers hope, not just for him but for all of us advocating for justice.”
The Guantanamo facility, located at a U.S. naval base in Cuba, was established in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Under then-President George W. Bush, the prison became a holding site for hundreds of detainees from various countries, primarily Muslim men suspected of terrorism. Many of these individuals were captured in the context of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other global interventions. At its peak, the facility housed nearly 800 detainees.
Currently, only 15 detainees remain at Guantanamo. This number has decreased significantly over the years as successive U.S. administrations, under both Democratic and Republican leadership, have sought to reduce its population. However, the facility’s existence continues to spark widespread criticism. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, and United Nations experts have denounced Guantanamo as a glaring violation of international human rights standards. Amnesty International described the prison as a “longstanding stain on the human rights record of the United States” while welcoming the recent release of detainees.
The conditions and practices at Guantanamo have been the subject of global scrutiny for years. Allegations of torture, indefinite detention without trial, and denial of basic legal rights have made it a symbol of the excesses of the “war on terror.” The U.S. government has faced persistent calls to shut down the facility and release or formally charge those held there.
President Joe Biden, who pledged during his 2020 campaign to work toward Guantanamo’s closure, has made some progress in reducing the detainee population. Nevertheless, the facility remains operational as his presidency nears its conclusion. Administration officials have indicated ongoing efforts to secure agreements with other countries to accept detainees who have not been charged with crimes but cannot return to their home nations due to security concerns or other issues.
Recent releases from Guantanamo highlight the complexity and controversy surrounding its operations. Tunisian national Ridah bin Saleh al-Yazidi, held since the prison’s inception in 2002 without ever facing charges, was released last month. Also freed were Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu, a Kenyan national detained since 2007, and two Malaysian detainees who had been imprisoned for 18 years.
Of the remaining 15 detainees, CCR has noted that six have never been charged, three of whom have already been cleared for transfer. The U.S. Defense Department reported that the others include two individuals who have been convicted and sentenced, while seven face charges related to major terrorist incidents, including the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, the September 11, 2001, attacks, and the 2002 Bali bombings.
The legacy of Guantanamo Bay remains deeply contentious, symbolizing unresolved questions about the balance between national security and adherence to international human rights standards. As the U.S. continues its efforts to reduce the detainee population and navigate the legal and ethical challenges associated with the facility, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution to this long-standing chapter in American history.
