US military closes largest detention camp in Iraq

CAMP BUCCA, Iraq – The U.S. military on Wednesday closed Camp Bucca, an isolated desert prison that was once its largest lockup in Iraq, as it moves to release thousands of detainees or transfer them to Iraqi custody before the end of the year.The sprawling facility just north of the Kuwaiti border has held thousands of men over the years, including the most dangerous in U.S. custody — Sunni insurgents, Shiite extremists and al-Qaida in Iraq suspects swept up from battlefields over six years of war.Iraqi officials say some who have been freed have returned to violence...

Picture Left:In this Monday, March 16, 2009 file photo, detainees pray at a U.S. military detention facility Camp Bucca, Iraq. The U.S. military closed Camp Bucca Wednesday Sept. 16, 2009 that was its first and, at one time, largest lockup in Iraq, as it forges ahead with plans to release thousands of remaining detainees or transfer them to Iraqi custody before year's end.(AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)