Number of Iraqi detainees below 9,000 - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

Number of Iraqi detainees below 9,000

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military says the number of Iraqi detainees has dropped below 9,000 from a high of 27,000 in 2007.

The Americans have been releasing detainees or transferring them to Iraqi custody to comply with a security pact that took effect on Jan. 1.

The military says the transfer of 107 inmates facing warrants or detention orders to Iraqi custody lowered the detainee population to 8,947. That's the lowest it has been since March 2005.

A statement issued Sunday says detainees in U.S. custody are held at three facilities — 3,572 at Camp Cropper, 4,585 at Camp Taji and 790 at Camp Bucca. Camp Bucca is due to be closed in mid-September.

Some Iraqis have complained released detainees have returned to violence.