Baghdad’s top diplomat has issued a stark warning to Europe: Iraq cannot shoulder the full weight of guarding thousands of ISIS prisoners alone. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein made the plea during a tense phone call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, emphasizing that the responsibility for these dangerous detainees lies with all nations whose citizens joined the terror group.
The conversation zeroed in on the precarious situation in Syria’s northeast, where Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control camps and prisons holding ISIS fighters. Recent jailbreaks have heightened fears of a resurgence, prompting urgent calls for international cooperation. Hussein stressed that the EU must step up, not just with words but with action.
Both leaders agreed on the need to maintain ceasefires in Hasakah province and push for peaceful resolutions to ongoing disputes. They highlighted Europe’s potential role in mediating talks between the SDF and Syria’s interim government, aiming for binding agreements that stabilize the region.
Hussein also briefed Kallas on his recent Iran visit amid escalating regional tensions, underscoring the importance of stronger Iraq-EU ties in these volatile times. In a positive note, Kallas thanked Iraq for initially accepting ISIS prisoners from Syria, including the first batch of 150 transferred from Hasakah.
This move is part of a larger U.S.-backed plan that could see up to 7,000 ISIS detainees relocated to Iraqi facilities. Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani echoed the call, urging France and other EU nations to repatriate their nationals held on terrorism charges. As the ISIS threat lingers, Iraq’s message is clear: shared responsibility is non-negotiable for global security.