Following weeks of an intense political debate between Yemeni and American officials regarding the fate of Yemen 56 cleared terror detainees in Guantanamo Bay prison, America's infamous terror penitentiary, US President Barack Obama said he is ready to resume the transfers of prisoners, hence ended his self-imposed moratorium.
In a speech on Thursday at the National Defense University President Obama made clear he wished to reduce Guantanamo "detainee population" ahead of the potential closure of the facility altogether.
While the news will come as a relief to many Yemeni officials and the families of detainees, not all American officials agree with their president's decision, fearing that the transfer of prisoners will equate to "turning them loose.", as per commented by Senator Saxby Chambliss.
Mohammed al-Basha, Yemen' spokesperson in Washington explained that the Yemeni government will now work closely with the White House to secure the safe return of the detainees and overview their rehabilitation into society.
“Yemen’s partnership with the United States is strong, and [the government] values the ongoing cooperation to tackle mutual threats and promote the unity, stability, and prosperity of the nation," he told reporters on Thursday.
Officials at Yemen Human Rights ministry confirmed that Yemen had agree in partnership with the United States of America to set up a rehabilitation center to monitor, educate and support returned detainees to prevent them from falling prey to al-Qaeda. The project will be financed by the US and Arab countries as part of a global counter-terror strategy program.