Gitmo: ‘Obama Administration Rushing To … Release As Many Prisoners As Possible’

‘There Have Been Americans That Have Died Because Of Gitmo Detainees’

SEN. KELLY AYOTTE (R-NH): “[T]he administration continues to dangerously release terrorists from Guantanamo and unnecessarily put Americans at increased risk in order to fulfill a misguided campaign promise-all while refusing to level with the American people regarding the detainees' terrorist risks, activities, and affiliations.” (Sen. Ayotte, Press Release, 4/18/2016)

“Obama administration rushing to shrink ranks at Guantanamo: The Obama administration … officials are scrambling to release as many prisoners as possible…” (“Obama Administration Rushing To Shrink Ranks At Guantanamo,” AP, 6/5/16)

“Of the 80 remaining detainees, 30 have been cleared for an overseas transfer. Most will leave starting in late June and continuing into July, according to a U.S. official. Those prisoners will go to a number of countries, including at least one in Europe, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the administration had not authorized public release of the information.” (“Obama Administration Rushing To Shrink Ranks At Guantanamo,” AP, 6/5/16)

SUSAN RICE, National Security Adviser: “‘I can’t say with certainty that we’re 100 percent going to get there, but I can tell you we’re going to die trying,’ said Susan Rice, Obama's national security adviser, in an interview.” (“Obama's Counterterrorism Chief Takes Fresh Stab At Closing Guantanamo,” Reuters, 11/4/15)

GITMO DETAINEE: ‘One Day We Going To Slaughter You’

118 Former Prisoners Are ‘Now Confirmed To Be Reengaging In Terrorism, While Another 86 Are Suspected Of Doing So’

PAUL LEWIS, Defense Department Special Envoy For Guantanamo Closure: “Sir, what I can tell you is unfortunately, there have been Americans that have died because of Gitmo detainees.” (U.S. House Of Representatives, Foreign Affairs Committee, Hearing, 3/23/16)

GTMO Detainee: “... to the American be patient, your days is coming, one day we going to slaughter you behind the tree.” [Detainee leading the rest of his cell block singing]. (Department Of Defense Briefing, June 2006)

GTMO Detainee: “Their day is coming. One day I will enjoy sucking their blood, although their blood is bitter, undrinkable…” (Joint Task Force GTMO, “JTF-GTMO Information On Detainees,” P.5, 04/04/05)

“…118 of 676 former prisoners released under both presidents that are now confirmed to be reengaging in terrorism, while another 86 are suspected of doing so. The report warns that some detainees being held at Guantanamo could rejoin militant groups if released in the future.” (“Number Of Obama-Released Gitmo Detainees Suspected Of Returning To Terrorism Doubles: Report,” The Washington Times, 3/8/16)

ODNI: “Reengagement of Former Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) Detainees as of 15 January 2016: …Confirmed of Reengaging: 118 of 676 (17.5%) …Suspected of Reengaging: 86 of 676 (12.7%).” (Summary Of The Reengagement Of Detainees Formerly Held At Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,” Office Of The Director Of National Intelligence, 3/16)

ODNI: “Based on trends identified during the past eleven years, we assess that some detainees currently at GTMO will seek to reengage in terrorist or insurgent activities after they are transferred.” (Summary Of The Reengagement Of Detainees Formerly Held At Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,” Office Of The Director Of National Intelligence, 3/16)

THIS YEAR: Former Detainees ‘Promot[ing] Jihad,’ Rejoining Al Qaeda, Suspected Of Recruiting Islamic State Fighters

“A former detainee at the American military prison in Guantanamo Bay, who once served as Osama bin Laden's bodyguard and driver, recently released an audio tape in which he promotes jihad in east Africa.” ("Freed Guantanamo Bay Detainee Promotes Jihad in Somalia," ABC News, 2/26/2016)

“In a message released Thursday on the social media messaging app Telegram and attributed to Ibrahim Qosi, Qosi told fighters in Somalia to ‘continue the raid with a raid, and light up the ground beneath the feet of the Crusaders and team them that the lands of Islam are a fortress that is not allowed to the disbelievers, and a graveyard for the invaders,' according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group. 'Victory is brought by blood and suffering, not by promises and wishes from every libertine,’ he said.” ("Freed Guantanamo Bay Detainee Promotes Jihad in Somalia," ABC News, 2/26/2016)

“Though the detainee file describes Qosi as ‘high risk’ and of ‘high intelligence value,’ he was released from Guantanamo Bay in July 2012 after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and supporting terrorism. He had originally been sentenced to 14 years, but the sentence was reduced to two . . . At the time of his release to Sudan, the Pentagon said the U.S. had coordinated with Sudan's government to ensure ‘appropriate security and humane treatment measures’ for Qosi. But by late 2014, Qosi had reportedly joined al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen, AQAP, and shortly thereafter became one of its senior members.” ("Freed Guantanamo Bay Detainee Promotes Jihad in Somalia," ABC News, 2/26/2016)

“Former Guantanamo detainee among 4 arrested in Spain, Morocco for Islamic State ties.” ("Former Guantanamo Detainee Among 4 Arrested In Spain, Morocco For Islamic State Ties,"The Associated Press, 2/23/2016)

“Spanish and Moroccan police on Tuesday arrested four suspected members of a jihadi cell that sought to recruit fighters for the Islamic State group, including one described as a former Guantanamo detainee who once fought with militants in Afghanistan. . . One of those detained in Ceuta was the former Guantanamo detainee who was not named by Spanish authorities but described as ‘a leader who was trained in handling weapons, explosives and in military tactics.’” ("4 Arrested In Spain, Morocco For IS Armed Group Ties," The Associated Press, 2/23/2016)

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Related Issues: Afghanistan, Guantanamo Detention Facility, National Security, Al Qaeda, ISIL, War on Terror, NDAA, America's Military

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