(VOVworld) – US officials said on Monday that 15 inmates from Guantanamo prison in Cuba were transferred to the United Arab Emirates, the largest transfer of detainees during President Barack Obama's administration.

The Guantanamo Bay detention camp. (Photo: Vocativ.com)

The transfer of the 12 Yemeni and three Afghan citizens brings the total number of detainees down to 61 at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay. Most have been held without charge or trial for more than a decade, drawing international condemnation.

Since taking power in 2008, President Obama has intended to close the prison and considered the plan to be one of his top priorities for his home affairs policy before leaving office early next year.

The US’ military prison, which was established in 2002 in Guantanamo Bay, is a site where terrorist suspects are detained. Since 2002, a total of 799 people have been detained there.