At least 2,000 more detainees will be released before the end of the year in an ongoing effort to reduce the number held in American facilities in Iraq, officials said Thursday.

The releases are tied to the Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage that falls between Dec. 6 and 11 this year. The releases will be made during November, said officials with Task Force 134, which oversees the U.S. detention operations in Iraq.

"We have learned in our time here in Iraq that this part of the year is very important to Iraqis, just as November and December constitute a special time for Americans," Brig. Gen. David Quantock, Task Force 134 commander, was quoted as saying in a news release.

In addition to the releases, "every effort will be made to release or transfer the special population detainees, including the females, juveniles and those detainees who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses," the release read.

There are currently around 17,300 detainees in the American system, down from the high of about 26,000 in November 2007.

At least 15,400 detainees have been released so far in 2008, officials said.