Guantanamo Bay Detainees Transfer to Afghanistan and Jordan

The departure of the other 80 detainees eligible for transfer is subject to ongoing discussions.

One of the guard towers at Guantanamo Bay Photo: Department of Defense

(GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba) - The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of eleven detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Eight of the detainees were transferred to Afghanistan, and three to Jordan.

According to a statement from the DoD, "These detainees were determined to be eligible for transfer following a comprehensive series of review processes conducted at Guantanamo."

They say the transfer is a demonstration of the United States' desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary.

"It also underscores the processes put in place to assess each individual and make a determination about their detention while hostilities are ongoing – an unprecedented step in the history of warfare."

They state that approximately 80 detainees at Guantanamo are eligible for transfer or release. The departure of these detainees is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations.

Since 2002, over 450 detainees have departed Guantanamo for other countries including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.

There are approximately 320 detainees currently at Guantanamo.