BAGHDAD, July 29 (UPI) -- U.S. military authorities in Iraq say coalition forces are now holding fewer than half the number of detainees in custody than a year ago.
The Multi-National Force-Iraq, in a statement Wednesday, said a milestone was reached when the total population of detainees in coalition custody dropped to 9,969, down from the November 2007 high of more than 26,000 detainees. About 21,000 detainees were held in July 2008.
"We plan to continue reducing that number through releases and transfers in accordance with the security agreement," said Army Brig. Gen. David Quantock, Joint Task Force 134 commanding general.
Quantock said that of the detainees now in U.S. custody in Iraq, 3,407 are being held at Camp Cropper, 4,511 at Camp Taji and 2,051 held at Camp Bucca, which is scheduled to close in mid-September.
U.S. forces have been releasing an average of 134 detainees per day in accordance with the bilateral security agreement signed last year between the United States and Iraq, which requires all detainees to be released or transferred to Iraqi custody.
