Social media erupts over allegations, but facts reveal a nuanced story
President Joe Biden faced widespread criticism on social media this week after users alleged he “released 9/11 terrorists” from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp. However, a closer look at the situation reveals that these claims are misleading.
Transfer of detainees to Oman: What happened?
The U.S. State Department and the Pentagon confirmed that 11 Yemeni detainees were transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Oman as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the detainee population at the facility.
In a statement, the State Department expressed gratitude to Oman and other international partners for supporting the U.S. government’s objective of responsibly downsizing the Guantanamo Bay facility with an eventual goal of closure.
“The United States appreciates the willingness of the government of Oman and other partners to support ongoing U.S. efforts focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population and ultimately closing the Guantanamo Bay facility,” the statement read.
Who are the detainees?
The Pentagon named the 11 men transferred to Oman:
- Uthman Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Uthman
- Moath Hamza Ahmed al-Alwi
- Khalid Ahmed Qassim
- Suhayl Abdul Anam al Sharabi
- Hani Saleh Rashid Abdullah
- Tawfiq Nasir Awad Al-Bihani
- Omar Mohammed Ali al-Rammah
- Sanad Ali Yislam Al Kazimi
- Hassan Muhammad Ali Bib Attash
- Sharqawi Abdu Ali Al Hajj
- Abd Al-Salam Al-Hilah
While the detainees were captured in the aftermath of 9/11, claims that they were directly involved in the attacks are inaccurate. The Pentagon clarified that one of the detainees had been “deemed transfer eligible” through the process outlined in Executive Order 13492, issued during the Obama administration. The remaining 10 were approved for transfer following a Periodic Review Board process established by Executive Order 13567, which evaluates detainees on a case-by-case basis.
Social media outrage and misinformation
The detainee transfer sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing Biden and the Democratic Party of releasing terrorists back into the field.
One influencer wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Joe Biden has just RELEASED 11 YEMENI TERRORlSTS from Guantanamo Bay just days before leaving office. Infuriating. These terr*rists were captured in the aftermath of 9/11, and despite the rapidly deteriorating state of the Middle East, Biden decided to send them back to the field anyway.”
Another user claimed, “Let’s set the record straight. It isn’t Biden; it’s the Demonic Ratic Party. They are literally freeing terrorists who belong to Al-Qaeda, the same terrorist organization that committed 9/11.”
Setting the record straight
The Pentagon has emphasized that the transfer process follows a strict review procedure. The Periodic Review Board process, which involves input from national security experts, determines whether detainees pose a continuing threat to the U.S. or its allies.
Guantanamo Bay, established by President George W. Bush in 2002, has faced decades of controversy over its handling of detainees and allegations of human rights abuses. Successive administrations have worked to reduce its population through repatriation and transfers, often under stringent conditions.
While the transfer of 11 detainees to Oman has drawn criticism, it is essential to note that the process was not a unilateral decision by President Biden. It reflects longstanding U.S. policy aimed at responsibly managing and eventually closing the Guantanamo Bay facility. The claims of “releasing 9/11 terrorists” oversimplify a complex process and misrepresent the facts.