US transfers 12 detainees at Guantanamo military prison to Afghanistan, Yemen and Somaliland

US sends 12 Gitmo detainees to their home nations

WASHINGTON — The U.S. has transferred a dozen Guantanamo detainees to Afghanistan, Yemen and the Somaliland region.

The Justice Department said Sunday that a government task force had reviewed each case. Officials considered the potential threat and the government’s likelihood of success in court challenges to the detentions.

Over the weekend, four Afghan detainees were transferred to their country. Two Somali detainees were transferred to regional authorities in Somaliland. Six Yemeni detainees were sent to their home country.

The Justice Department said that since 2002, more than 560 detainees have departed the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for other destinations.