The transfer is the largest batch of detainees shipped out of the Cuba prison camp so far this year. It is part of a wave of transfers as the administration steps up efforts to shrink the prison population, with the ultimate goal of closing the facility despite congressional resistance.
Fox News reported earlier this week that the 10 detainees were slated for transfer, but the destination at the time was not known. The state-run Oman News Agency published a brief statement Thursday morning saying the detainees had arrived in Oman.
The Omani Foreign Ministry reportedly described the move as a “temporary stay.”
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The Defense Department subsequently announced the transfer, and identified the detainees, late Thursday morning, saying the administration coordinated with Oman to ensure the move was conducted with “appropriate security and humane treatment measures.”
According to a statement, Defense Secretary Ash Carter notified Congress in advance. The Pentagon said the individuals “were unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force,” and said the government is “grateful” to Oman for its “humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.”
Ahead of the announcement, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., slammed the transfer as a “thinly veiled attempt to undercut the will of Congress and would further endanger the American people.”
The administration is banned by law from transferring Guantanamo detainees to Yemen, given the risk in that country. Yemen is not only racked by civil war, but is the home of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. At least three previously released Guantanamo detainees have gone on to become leaders with AQAP in Yemen after leaving the camp.
Given that Oman neighbors Yemen, Ayotte described the move as a potential attempt to “circumvent” the congressional ban on sending prisoners to Yemen.
“This potential transfer is all the more troubling in light of the fact that Ibrahim al Qosi, who was released from Gitmo by the Obama administration in 2012, is now reportedly a leader and spokesman for AQAP,” Ayotte said. “… The administration has not been forthright with the American people about the terrorist affiliations and activities of these detainees, or provided sufficient assurances that they will not return to the battlefield, particularly given their possible proximity to Yemen.”
The transfer also coincides with a recent weapons deal. The terms are classified, but the State Department a week ago approved the proposed sale of TOW 2B missiles and supporting equipment to the government of Oman – valued at about $51 million.
The department said the sale would help an ally build its ground defenses and bolster the country's national security and defensive capabilities.
Fox News has asked the State Department if the weapons deal is connected to Oman's agreement to take the 10 Guantanamo detainees, or just a coincidence.
The transfer brings the number of remaining detainees to 93.
The transfers are part of an administration effort to bring down the prison camp’s population as much as possible. Fifty-nine prisoners, however, currently are not eligible for transfer abroad, and the administration is trying to figure out what to do with them.
Though Congress has blocked transfers to the United States, the Pentagon nevertheless has conducted a series of site surveys of prisons in the U.S. in the past few months.
President Obama reiterated his goal of closing the camp in his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Fox News' Catherine Herridge and Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.
19 Comments
obama is a terrorist so he needs a place to train practice makes perfect and our communist party leader needs practice destroyiinng the connstutition and making the united soviet america also known as the peoples republic of china west a more communist country
Of course it is. Isn’t it obvious? Note what Oterrorist has done with respect to Gitmo. He keeps his brothers safe there, with free room and board, until he needs to call on them. Then he sends them off to do his work. Actions speak louder than words, and Oliar’s actions regarding Gitmo absolutely shout out his plan of action. Are you listening, world? Are you listening America? Pay attention. Otraitor must be arrested TODAY. Waiting until his term expires will be too late, because The U. S. of A. will likely have already expired by then.
It doesn’t take an “EINSTEIN” to see what the fraud is up to….his fundamental transformation is about Jihad on America! I pray he burns in hell for all the destruction he has done and will continue to do AFTER he leaves OUR W.H. GOD BLESS AMERICA….
Why……because he is a Muslem and “I” think he came into the presidency with the sole idea of destroying the USA. Also, he is merely a pawn under someone more powerful. As are many members of our Congress. Some are paid off…..some are threatened. Just ‘my’ thoughts. Obama should have been gone long ago.
Remove OBUMA from office
My first cousin is the col in charge over there and it is not a training ground for anything. It is a prison period. Stop this bullshit of what ifs and is it reallys and start making a difference in your actions truth be known most of the people bitching about this asshat for a president are some of the very same douche bags who put him in there.
I have a couple of Cuban-American friends and they tell me that things have not changed in Cuba since the embargo was lifted and diplomatic relations re-established. It is still being run by the Communists, people still don’t have enough of anything, and I think that Obamma, before he leaves office, will give Guantanamo to the Cubans, they will make a seaside resort of all the amenities there, destroy the prison structures, and invite rich Americans to visit at the rate of a couple of hundred dollars per night, and the U.S. taxpayer will have to pay for its development!
I think we should keep Gitmo open for Obama
isn’t that where we send radical Islamic terrorists?
obama is a muslem and hates america. how much more does he have to do.
Obama should be arrested and thrown in with his cousins of ilk. eom
He is the terrorists best friend and the USA’s worst enemy!
OBAMA IS THE HEAD OF ALL TERROSTIST
Because he is a traitor to the US and our way of living, he has been and always will be a closet Muslim and socialist that cares more about Muslims than Americans and makes deals with countries that have no human rights programs like Iran and Cuba, and the American people mostly still don’t get it, I came from a Communist country 50 years ago legally and all the signs are there
HE HAS BEEN LETTING detainees out & that is what happens.
O’TRAITOR! (nuff said)…
Obama should be put on trail for treason then hung off a tree on the White House lawn. What a piece of shit!!! God forbid that CUNT Queen Hillary gets into office…
He is a muslin. That says it all
Terrorist in chief is a radical Muslim himself tell everyone you got Osama bin Ladin , then shave him and put a suit on him falsify a bunch of records in hawaii and Chicago , presto a terrorist President
I saw these orange suits somewhere else too..