President Joe Biden has transferred 11 Yemeni detainees from the military prison in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to Oman just two weeks prior to his leaving office.
This marks the most dramatic reduction in years at the controversial facility, bringing the number of remaining prisoners to 15. Oman has agreed to provide resettlement assistance and security monitoring for the men, who had been detained for over two decades without trial.
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The Yemeni detainees, captured following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, had all been cleared for transfer by U.S. national security officials years ago, with some approvals dating back to 2010.
However, their release had been delayed by political and diplomatic hurdles. Yemen’s ongoing instability made repatriation impossible, prompting the need for a third country willing to accept them. Oman, a trusted ally of the U.S., stepped in after extensive negotiations.
The transfers, delayed from October 2023 due to Middle East instability following the Hamas attack on Israel, signal a last-ditch effort by the Biden administration to reduce the Guantánamo population before the end of President Biden’s term.
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The administration has recently overseen the transfer of four other detainees and plans at least one more before the transition of power.
Biden has sought to close Guantánamo, a promise he campaigned on, but the prison remains operational. Critics argue that the facility is a “moral stain” on America, while supporters view it as a necessity for national security.
The Biden administration’s flurry of transfers contrasts with former President Donald Trump’s policy of keeping Guantánamo open, and that detainee releases may cease under a new administration.
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The cost of operating Guantánamo is a key concern. The U.S. spends over $500 million annually to maintain the facility, with an estimated cost of $15 million per inmate per year—vastly higher than the $80,000 annual cost per inmate in a U.S. supermax prison. Beyond the financial burden, human rights organizations have long criticized the indefinite detention of prisoners without charge.
Oman’s role includes providing housing, employment assistance, and family reunification opportunities for the former detainees. The country has previously accepted over 30 Guantánamo prisoners, demonstrating its commitment to supporting resettlement efforts.
With this transfer, 15 detainees remain at Guantánamo:
- Seven face charges, including alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
- Three are uncharged and not approved for transfer.
- Three are approved for transfer but await resettlement arrangements.
- Two have been convicted.
Since its establishment in 2002, Guantánamo has housed around 780 detainees, most of whom were never charged with a crime.
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The facility has drawn global condemnation for allegations of torture and violations of international law. For the Biden administration, the recent transfers are part of a broader effort to close the chapter on Guantánamo, though significant barriers remain.
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