“Historic Announcement: Transfer of Guantanamo Bay Detainees Unveiled by Department of Defense”

The Department of Defense revealed today the relocation of 11 Yemeni detainees from the detention center at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Oman. The detainees being transferred include: Uthman Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Uthman (ISN 27), Moath Hamza Ahmed al-Alwi (ISN 28), Khalid Ahmed Qassim (ISN 242), Suhayl Abdul Anam al Sharabi (ISN 569), Hani Saleh Rashid Abdullah (ISN 841), Tawfiq Nasir Awad Al-Bihani (ISN 893), Omar Mohammed Ali al-Rammah (ISN 1017), Sanad Ali Yislam Al Kazimi (ISN 1453), Hassan Muhammad Ali Bib Attash (ISN 1456), Sharqawi Abdu Ali Al Hajj (ISN 1457), and Abd Al-Salam Al-Hilah (ISN 1463).

Tawfiq Nasir Awad Al-Bihani (ISN 893) was identified as eligible for transfer according to the procedure set forth by the 2009 Executive Order 13492, “Review of Disposition of Individuals Detained at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Closure of Detention Facilities.” The other 10 Yemeni detainees shifted to the Government of Oman were found eligible for transfer through the Periodic Review Board process established by Executive Order 13567, “Periodic Review of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station Pursuant to the Authorization for the Use of Military Force.”

Although the processes differ, each of the 10 Yemeni detainees underwent an extensive, interagency analysis by experienced professionals who collectively concluded that all detainees were eligible for transfer in line with the national security interests of the United States.

On Sept. 15, 2023, Secretary of Defense Austin informed Congress of his plan to return these 11 Yemeni detainees to the Government of Oman and, in collaboration with our partners in Oman, we fulfilled the criteria for transfer.

The United States acknowledges the cooperation of the Government of Oman and other allies in underpinning ongoing U.S. efforts aimed at responsibly decreasing the detainee count and ultimately shutting down the Guantanamo Bay facility.

The PRB process was initiated by the President’s March 7, 2011, Executive Order 13567. It aligns with section 1023 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012 and was reaffirmed in Executive Order 13823 (Jan. 30, 2018).

The PRB panel features senior civil service officials from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State, alongside the Joint Staff and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The PRB reached a consensus that further detention under the law of war was no longer essential to safeguard against an ongoing significant threat to national security and that any risks to national security posed by these 10 Yemeni detainees could be sufficiently addressed. In accordance with Executive Order 13567, this conclusion became definitive after all Principals agreed.

At present, 15 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay: 3 are eligible for transfer; 3 are eligible for a Periodic Review Board; 7 are part of the military commissions process; and 2 detainees have been tried and sentenced by military commissions.