The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, a long-held inmate at Guantanamo Bay, to Tunisia. This transfer, confirmed via a Pentagon statement, leaves 26 detainees remaining at the notorious facility on the island of Cuba.

Al-Yazidi, who arrived at Guantanamo Bay on its opening day, January 11, 2002, was never charged with a crime. His release follows a comprehensive interagency review that deemed him eligible for transfer. "On January 31, 2024, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin notified Congress of his intent to support this repatriation," the statement read, highlighting the collaboration with the Tunisian government to ensure a responsible handover (ABC News).

The Pentagon also mentioned that prior to al-Yazidi's transfer, there were efforts to reduce the detainee population. Earlier in December, the Department announced the repatriation of three other detainees, emphasizing a continual effort by the Biden administration to assess and decrease the number of individuals held at the facility. "The United States appreciates the support to ongoing U.S. efforts toward a deliberate and thorough process focused on responsibly reducing the detainee population," the press release noted (BBC).

Currently, 14 of the remaining detainees are also eligible for transfer, while three are subject to periodic review. The Guantanamo facility was established after the September 11 attacks and has been a focal point of debate regarding the detention of individuals without trial. The Biden administration's latest moves indicate a push towards the eventual closure of this controversial site.