The Biden administration has released 11 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay, sparking controversy. These men, suspected of ties to al Qaeda, have not been charged with crimes. The Pentagon announced on Monday that they will be resettled in Oman. This marks another step in President Biden’s effort to close the infamous military prison.
Transfer based on rigorous review
The Department of Defense emphasized that the transfer followed a rigorous review. According to a statement, career professionals unanimously agreed that releasing the detainees aligns with U.S. national security interests. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had informed Congress of the decision in 2023. The Pentagon also expressed gratitude to Oman for accepting the detainees and supporting efforts to reduce Guantanamo’s population.
High-Profile detainees among released group
Among the released detainees are two high-profile individuals. Moath Hamza Ahmed al-Alwi, allegedly a former bodyguard for Osama bin Laden, was one of them. A 2016 intelligence report described him as holding an “extremist mindset” and detailed disciplinary issues during his detention. However, some infractions were reportedly pardoned to encourage better behavior. Another detainee, Suhayl Abdul Anam al Sharabi, also accused of being a bin Laden bodyguard, was part of the group. A 2020 intelligence file suggested his possible involvement in a failed 9/11-style hijacking plot in Southwest Asia.
The other released detainees
The other nine men sent to Oman include Uthman Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Uthman, Khalid Ahmed Qassim, 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, and Abd Al-Salam Al-Hilah. All had been held without formal charges.
Resettlement of other detainees
This transfer comes shortly after another detainee, Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, was resettled in Tunisia in December. The latest moves leave only 15 detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Of these, three are cleared for transfer, while another three await reviews of their detention status. Seven others are involved in military commission processes, and two have been convicted and sentenced by these commissions.
Criticism and backlash
The Biden administration’s actions have not been without backlash. Families of 9/11 victims, Republican lawmakers, and even Defense Secretary Austin have criticized plea deals offered to some of the most notorious detainees. Last year, alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators, Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, were offered deals sparing them the death penalty. These agreements have fueled heated debates.
Guantanamo Bay’s controversial legacy
Guantanamo Bay has long been a flashpoint for human rights controversies. Opened in 2002 during the Bush administration, it became a symbol of indefinite detention without trial. At its peak, it housed nearly 800 detainees. Successive administrations have struggled to close it, facing legal, logistical, and political obstacles.
A Shift in U.S. approach to detainee handling
The release of the Yemeni detainees signals a shift in the U.S. approach to handling suspected terrorists. The Biden administration appears committed to ending the Guantanamo era, despite opposition. However, the future of the remaining detainees and the facility itself remains uncertain. As the U.S. works to close this chapter, debates over justice, security, and human rights continue to rage.
