Social media has been ablaze with claims that President Joe Biden released 9/11 terrorists from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp in Cuba. The allegations have sparked outrage, with critics accusing the Biden administration of endangering national security. However, a closer look reveals that these claims are misleading and lack context.
The Transfer of Guantanamo Detainees
This week, the U.S. government transferred 11 detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Oman. These men, all Yemeni nationals, had been held at the facility for years. The State Department and the Pentagon clarified that the transfer was part of ongoing efforts to responsibly reduce the detainee population and work toward closing the detention facility, a goal shared by several administrations.
In a statement, the State Department expressed gratitude to Oman and other international partners for supporting this initiative:
“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.”
Debunking the “9/11 Terrorists” Claim
Contrary to the claims circulating online, none of the 11 detainees transferred to Oman were directly involved in the September 11, 2001 attacks. While some of them were suspected of affiliations with Al-Qaeda, their cases were reviewed through processes established during previous administrations, including Executive Orders issued under President Obama.
The Pentagon named the transferred detainees, which included individuals like Uthman Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Uthman and Khalid Ahmed Qassim. It clarified that one of these detainees had been deemed eligible for transfer through a process established by a 2009 Executive Order, while the others were approved for release following a Periodic Review Board assessment.
Social Media Outcry
The news triggered a wave of criticism online, with some users accusing the Biden administration of recklessness. One influencer wrote:
“Joe Biden has just RELEASED 11 YEMENI TERRORISTS from Guantanamo Bay just days before leaving office. Infuriating.”
Another user added, “They are literally freeing terrorists who belong to Al-Qaeda, the same terrorist organization that committed 9/11.”
Guantanamo Bay was established in 2002 under President George W. Bush to detain terrorism suspects and “illegal enemy combatants” following the 9/11 attacks. Over the years, its continued operation has drawn international criticism for alleged human rights abuses. Efforts to close the facility date back to the Obama administration, with reviews conducted to assess detainees’ eligibility for release or transfer.
While the Biden administration oversaw the recent transfer of detainees, the claims that these individuals were directly linked to the 9/11 attacks are inaccurate. The transfers were conducted in accordance with established procedures and international agreements. This episode highlights the persistent controversy surrounding Guantanamo Bay and its detainees, as well as the challenges of addressing national security concerns while upholding legal and humanitarian standards.