Longest Held Guantanamo Detainee Released After 22 Years Without Charges – Guy D. McCardle
In a significant development, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on December 30, 2024, the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi to Tunisia. Al-Yazidi, who had been detained at Guantanamo Bay since its inception on January 11, 2002, was never formally charged with a crime during his nearly 23-year detention.
A Long Road to Freedom
Al-Yazidi’s imprisonment was based on allegations of ties to terrorist activities. Despite the lack of charges, a 2007 U.S. military assessment accused al-Yazidi of being a member of al-Qaeda and outlined several serious allegations against him.
The assessment claimed that al-Yazidi had participated in military or terrorist training in Afghanistan. He was also accused of fighting for the Taliban and being present at the infamous battle of Tora Bora, a key conflict where U.S. forces targeted al-Qaeda leadership. Furthermore, al-Yazidi was alleged to have stayed in various guesthouses or safe houses associated with al-Qaeda and the Taliban. These accusations formed the basis for his prolonged detention.
Al-Yazidi was captured by Pakistani forces near the Afghanistan border in December 2001, a period of intense U.S. military activity in the region. The capture came as part of the broader U.S. “war on terror,” launched in response to the September 11 attacks. He was quickly transferred to U.S. custody and became one of the first detainees sent to Guantanamo Bay when it opened on January 11, 2002.
Al-Yazidi’s case highlights the controversies surrounding the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, where many detainees were held for years without formal charges or trials. While the U.S. government justified his detention based on intelligence assessments, critics have long argued that indefinite imprisonment without due process undermines justice and human rights. Al-Yazidi’s recent release underscores the complexities of resolving such cases and the enduring legacy of Guantanamo Bay.
Cleared but Not Released
The Obama administration made several efforts to secure the release of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi from Guantanamo Bay. In 2010, al-Yazidi was evaluated by the Guantanamo Review Task Force, a group that included representatives from various government departments. This task force unanimously cleared him for transfer, determining that he no longer posed a significant threat.
Despite being cleared, al-Yazidi remained in detention due to difficulties in arranging his repatriation or resettlement. While the Obama administration reportedly found a country willing to accept him, al-Yazidi declined the offer, further complicating efforts to secure his release. His refusal to resettle in the proposed host country added another layer of complexity to an already challenging process.
In a significant development, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on December 30, 2024, the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi to Tunisia. Al-Yazidi, who had been detained at Guantanamo Bay since its inception on January 11, 2002, was never formally charged with a crime during his nearly 23-year detention.
A Long Road to Freedom
Al-Yazidi’s imprisonment was based on allegations of ties to terrorist activities. Despite the lack of charges, a 2007 U.S. military assessment accused al-Yazidi of being a member of al-Qaeda and outlined several serious allegations against him.
The assessment claimed that al-Yazidi had participated in military or terrorist training in Afghanistan. He was also accused of fighting for the Taliban and being present at the infamous battle of Tora Bora, a key conflict where U.S. forces targeted al-Qaeda leadership. Furthermore, al-Yazidi was alleged to have stayed in various guesthouses or safe houses associated with al-Qaeda and the Taliban. These accusations formed the basis for his prolonged detention.
Al-Yazidi was captured by Pakistani forces near the Afghanistan border in December 2001, a period of intense U.S. military activity in the region. The capture came as part of the broader U.S. “war on terror,” launched in response to the September 11 attacks. He was quickly transferred to U.S. custody and became one of the first detainees sent to Guantanamo Bay when it opened on January 11, 2002.
Al-Yazidi’s case highlights the controversies surrounding the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, where many detainees were held for years without formal charges or trials. While the U.S. government justified his detention based on intelligence assessments, critics have long argued that indefinite imprisonment without due process undermines justice and human rights. Al-Yazidi’s recent release underscores the complexities of resolving such cases and the enduring legacy of Guantanamo Bay.
Cleared but Not Released
The Obama administration made several efforts to secure the release of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi from Guantanamo Bay. In 2010, al-Yazidi was evaluated by the Guantanamo Review Task Force, a group that included representatives from various government departments. This task force unanimously cleared him for transfer, determining that he no longer posed a significant threat.
Despite being cleared, al-Yazidi remained in detention due to difficulties in arranging his repatriation or resettlement. While the Obama administration reportedly found a country willing to accept him, al-Yazidi declined the offer, further complicating efforts to secure his release. His refusal to resettle in the proposed host country added another layer of complexity to an already challenging process.
In the final year of President Obama’s tenure, there was a renewed push to transfer as many cleared detainees as possible from Guantanamo. This was part of the administration’s broader effort to reduce the detainee population and move closer to closing the facility. Despite these efforts, al-Yazidi was one of five individuals cleared for release who remained at Guantanamo when Donald Trump took office in January 2017.
The Obama administration’s attempts to free al-Yazidi highlight the significant diplomatic and logistical hurdles involved in transferring detainees, even after they have been cleared for release. The situation underscores the complexities of managing Guantanamo’s controversial legacy and the challenges of ensuring a fair and effective resolution for those held there.
The Trump Era and Stalled Releases
During Donald Trump’s presidency, Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi remained detained at Guantanamo Bay despite having been cleared for release years earlier.
When Trump assumed the presidency, he made it clear that his administration would take a hardline stance on Guantanamo. Trump had campaigned on a promise that no detainees would be released during his tenure, a policy shift that likely sealed al-Yazidi’s fate for the next four years.
Throughout Trump’s first term, al-Yazidi continued to be held at Guantanamo without being charged with any crime, despite having been cleared for transfer as far back as 2007 under both the Bush and Obama administrations. His case exemplifies the significant influence of changing political administrations on the fate of Guantanamo detainees, even those deemed eligible for release.
A New Chapter Under the Biden Administration
Under the Biden administration, significant progress was made in resolving the case of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi. Following a rigorous interagency review process, al-Yazidi was again determined to be eligible for transfer. This decision marked a key step toward addressing his long-standing detention.
On January 31, 2024, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin notified Congress of his intent to support al-Yazidi’s repatriation, clearing the way for further action.
The administration engaged in diplomatic negotiations with Tunisia to ensure the transfer was carried out responsibly.
These efforts culminated on December 30, 2024, when al-Yazidi was repatriated to Tunisia, bringing an end to his more than two decades of detention at Guantanamo Bay.
His release was part of a broader push by the Biden administration to reduce the detainee population at the facility.
Al-Yazidi’s transfer was the fourth in a two-week period, underscoring the administration’s commitment to addressing unresolved cases. Since Biden took office, the population at Guantanamo Bay has decreased from 40 detainees to 26, reflecting significant progress toward the goal of reducing and eventually closing the controversial detention facility. This transfer highlights the administration’s focus on resolving complex cases and moving forward on a path of reform.
Life After Guantanamo
Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi faces several significant challenges following his release from Guantanamo Bay. One of the most pressing concerns is his safety and security in Tunisia. The U.S. has not disclosed details about the security arrangements for his return, leaving questions about his protection unanswered. This lack of transparency raises concerns about potential risks to his well-being in his home country. To be honest, I’m personally not that terribly concerned about his well-being after his release. There was a reason he was held in GITMO for two decades, and it wasn’t because he was a great guy.
After being detained for more than two decades without charge or trial, al-Yazidi will likely struggle with reintegrating into society. Such prolonged detention can make it difficult to readjust to civilian life, rebuild relationships, and secure employment. The impact of these years in detention adds another layer of complexity to his reintegration process.
There are also fears that al-Yazidi might face further imprisonment or mistreatment in Tunisia, a situation some described as “Guantanamo 2.0.” Despite his release from U.S. custody, there is a risk that he could encounter further abuse or detention under unclear circumstances in his home country.
Adding to these challenges is the lack of clear support and accountability systems for former Guantanamo detainees. Without adequate assurances of safety and reintegration assistance, al-Yazidi may find it difficult to overcome the trauma of his detention and rebuild his life. The stigma attached to the allegations of al-Qaeda involvement—despite never being charged or tried—could lead to discrimination and make reintegration even harder.
These issues underscore the complex realities faced by former Guantanamo detainees. Al-Yazidi’s case highlights the long-term consequences of prolonged detention and the uncertainty that many released individuals face as they attempt to move forward with their lives.
Arguments Against His Release
There are several potential concerns regarding the dangers Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi might pose to the United States after his release from Guantanamo Bay. One significant worry is the risk of re-engagement in terrorist activities. Statistics from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence indicate that approximately 30% of released Guantanamo detainees are either confirmed or suspected of returning to terrorism. This raises fears that individuals like al-Yazidi might pose a threat to U.S. national security, though it’s important to note that such risks can vary widely between individuals.
Another concern involves the potential for former detainees to be exploited for propaganda or recruitment purposes. Terrorist organizations may use the symbolic value of a former detainee’s release to inspire others or to garner support. Additionally, the experience of being held at Guantanamo could be leveraged by extremist groups as a recruitment tool, painting the detainee as a victim of unjust detention and rallying others to their cause.
There are also intelligence-related concerns. Released detainees might share sensitive information about U.S. detention practices, personnel, or methods with hostile groups. Furthermore, former detainees could potentially reconnect with terrorist networks, using their previous connections and experiences to reactivate old alliances.
It’s important to emphasize that these concerns are general arguments about released Guantanamo detainees and not specific to al-Yazidi. The actual risk posed by any individual detainee, including al-Yazidi, is difficult to predict with certainty and depends on numerous factors, including their personal circumstances and the conditions of their reintegration.
Summing Up
The repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi marks the end of one of the longest detentions without charge in Guantanamo Bay’s history. As the Biden administration continues its efforts to close the facility, the focus now shifts to the remaining detainees and the legal, ethical, and diplomatic challenges that lie ahead.
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**Sound off in the comments. Should the US shut down the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, or are these men being held there for a good reason and deserve to remain incarcerated?
