The burden of ISIS prisoners is crushing Iraq, and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein is calling on the EU to lighten it. In talks with Kaja Kallas, he made it plain: this is a shared duty for all involved nations, with Europe needing to get involved beyond rhetoric.
Talks covered Syria’s northeast turmoil, including SDF prison escapes that threaten hard-fought gains. Emphasis was on upholding Hasakah ceasefires, diplomatic solutions, and Europe’s mediation in SDF-interim government discussions for lasting accords.
Regional woes dominated, with Hussein’s Iran trip details highlighting dangers that demand EU-Iraq alignment. Kallas thanked Iraq for taking initial ISIS transfers from Syria—150 to start, with 7,000 possibly following per U.S. plans.
Echoing this, PM al-Sudani pressed Macron for EU repatriations of nationals held on ISIS charges. Iraq’s stance is pragmatic: it accepted fighters to prevent worse scenarios but expects reciprocity.
Years after ISIS’s territorial collapse, the detainee dilemma persists, testing international resolve. Iraq’s appeal is a wake-up call for unified action to avert a terrorist comeback.