In a move that underscores the enduring legacy of the Islamic State’s (ISIS) reign of terror in Iraq, the country’s National Intelligence Service (INIS) announced on September 19, 2025, that it had assumed custody of 47 French nationals linked to the extremist group. These individuals, previously detained by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria, have been transferred to Iraq to face prosecution for their alleged roles in terrorist crimes committed between 2014 and 2017, a period marked by ISIS’s brutal occupation of large swathes of Iraqi territory.
According to Shafaq News, the INIS stated, “The detainees are wanted by the Iraqi judiciary for their involvement in terrorist crimes committed inside Iraq between 2014 and 2017.” The agency further emphasized that these suspects had engaged in activities threatening Iraq’s national security from outside the country, and their transfer was carried out under arrest warrants issued by Iraqi courts following thorough investigations supervised by the judiciary.
This transfer is not just a bureaucratic process; it’s the latest chapter in Iraq’s ongoing battle to deliver justice for the countless atrocities committed during ISIS’s reign. The 47 French nationals, now under interrogation by Iraqi intelligence services, are accused of participating in crimes against Iraqis during the group’s violent takeover of cities like Mosul and Fallujah. As an Iraqi security official told AFP, “They belong to Daesh,” using the Arabic acronym for ISIS. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that Iraqi security services possess documentary evidence and testimonies from Iraqi suspects implicating the French nationals in these crimes.
“They will be tried under Iraqi law,” the official confirmed, a sentiment echoed by the INIS, which asserted that the suspects would face trial in Iraq. The country’s legal system, notorious for its swift and severe penalties in terrorism cases, has previously handed down hundreds of death sentences and life prison terms to individuals convicted of terrorism. In 2019, Iraqi courts sentenced 11 French nationals to death for their roles in ISIS, all of whom remain on death row, according to Arab News.
The transfer of these detainees is the result of complex international coordination, reflecting both the challenges and the controversies surrounding the prosecution of foreign ISIS fighters. Human rights organizations have frequently criticized Iraq’s judicial process in terrorism cases as rushed and lacking in transparency, raising concerns about due process and the potential for miscarriages of justice. Nonetheless, Iraqi authorities maintain that their actions are necessary to safeguard national security and deliver justice for victims of ISIS’s atrocities.
The arrival of the French detainees in Iraq comes at a time when the broader international community continues to grapple with the aftermath of ISIS’s territorial defeat. While the group no longer controls significant territory, its legacy of violence, displacement, and trauma continues to haunt Iraq and neighboring countries. The prosecution of foreign fighters, many of whom traveled from Europe and elsewhere to join ISIS’s ranks, has become a contentious issue, with some countries reluctant to repatriate their nationals due to security concerns and political sensitivities.
According to the INIS statement reported by Shafaq News, the transfer was carried out under strict legal procedures: “Their transfer was carried out under arrest warrants issued by Iraqi courts following investigations supervised by the judiciary.” This emphasis on legal process aims to counter criticisms of arbitrary detention and to demonstrate Iraq’s commitment to the rule of law, even in the face of extraordinary security challenges.
The detainees’ arrival in Iraq marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to hold ISIS members accountable, but it also raises difficult questions about justice, human rights, and the international response to terrorism. While Iraqi officials insist that the suspects will receive fair trials, past experience suggests that the process may be fraught with challenges. Trials of foreign ISIS fighters in Iraq have often been criticized for their brevity and lack of access to adequate legal representation, fueling concerns about the potential for wrongful convictions and the use of the death penalty.
The broader context of these prosecutions cannot be ignored. Between 2014 and 2017, ISIS unleashed a campaign of terror across Iraq, seizing major cities, committing mass atrocities, and triggering a humanitarian crisis that displaced millions. The group’s brutality—marked by mass executions, sexual violence, and the destruction of cultural heritage—left deep scars on Iraqi society. The ongoing trials of ISIS members, including foreign nationals, are seen by many Iraqis as an essential step toward justice and reconciliation, even as they raise complex legal and ethical questions.
Iraqi courts have become a focal point for the international community’s efforts to address the legacy of ISIS. The country’s willingness to prosecute foreign fighters has been both praised and criticized, with some arguing that it relieves other nations of their responsibility to deal with their own citizens who joined ISIS. Others contend that Iraq’s judicial system is ill-equipped to handle the volume and complexity of these cases, particularly given the challenges of gathering evidence and ensuring fair trials.
For France, the transfer of its nationals to Iraq is a particularly sensitive issue. The French government has faced domestic pressure to repatriate its citizens who joined ISIS, but has often preferred to let them face justice in the region where their crimes were committed. The fate of the 11 French nationals sentenced to death in 2019 remains a point of contention, with human rights advocates urging the French government to intervene and seek clemency or repatriation.
As the 47 French detainees prepare to stand trial in Iraq, the world will be watching closely. Their cases will test not only Iraq’s commitment to justice but also the international community’s ability to balance security concerns with respect for human rights and the rule of law. The outcome of these trials will have far-reaching implications, not just for the individuals involved, but for the broader fight against terrorism and the quest for justice in the wake of ISIS’s devastation.
For now, Iraq’s message is clear: those who participated in ISIS’s crimes, regardless of nationality, will be held accountable. As the country continues to rebuild from the horrors of the past decade, the pursuit of justice—however imperfect—remains a central pillar of its recovery and its determination to prevent the resurgence of extremism on its soil.