FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ODNI News Release No. 02-26
February 18, 2026
ODNI's National Counterterrorism Center Provided Critical Intelligence, Coordinated with CENTCOM in Successful Transfer of 6,000 ISIS Detainees from Syria to Iraq
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) provided critical intelligence support and coordination for U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) successful transfer of more than 5,700 ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq, announced last week. This success is the direct result of President Trump's leadership and commitment to the enduring defeat of ISIS, bolstered by NCTC's decades-worth of consistent, accurate intelligence assessments that provided decisionmakers and the Department of War with insight to negotiate the transfers and securely remove the prisoners to Iraq.
"Nearly 6,000 of the most dangerous ISIS detainees have been transferred out of Syria and secured in Iraq," said Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. "ODNI's National Counterterrorism Center worked around the clock with the Departments of War and State to ensure the progress made by President Trump to dismantle ISIS persists, removing thousands of ISIS prisoners from Syria, with the ultimate goal of preventing the rapid reconstruction of ISIS. Under President Trump's direction, NCTC will remain vigilant to protect the American people at home and abroad."
"Our successful transfer of nearly 6,000 ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq represents a major accomplishment in America's fight against ISIS — one that was achieved through tireless coordination between the Iraqi and Syrian governments, NCTC, the State Department and War Department. We never lost sight of the threat of ISIS, worked endless hours to support our warfighters and partners on the ground, and executed on President Trump's vision that was two administrations in the making," said NCTC Director Kent. "My sincerest gratitude is with every NCTC officer who supported the around-the-clock intelligence analysis needed for this mission. Constant vigilance is a must, which is why we remain focused on protecting the safety and security of the American people."
NCTC Director Joe Kent and his team led two delegations to Baghdad and Syria to meet with Iraqi and Syrian counterterrorism leaders on the ground to coordinate and oversee the transfers of the high-value ISIS prisoners into Iraqi custody. These talks played a critical role in the agreement between Iraq and Syria to ensure a secure transfer of the detainees. Throughout the transfer mission, analysts at NCTC's Operations Center in Washington, DC worked with our partners at CENTCOM, the office of the U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to provide 24/7 updates about the status of ISIS detainees and inform decisionmakers on key developments.
###