Syrian authorities continue a large-scale operation to find prisoners who escaped from jails where members of the banned terrorist organization ISIS were held. Syria’s Ministry of Interior reported that the Al-Hol camp zone in al-Hasakah province was brought under control after the withdrawal of forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from the area. All prisons in the region have been declared restricted zones, and significant reinforcements have arrived at the camp to maintain order. Authorities are tightening security measures to prevent further escapes and breaches.
In the city of Raqqa, relatives of detainees held in the Al-Aktana prison attempted to break through barriers set up by authorities to reach the prison and express concern for the fate of their loved ones. At the same time, hundreds were forced to leave their homes in Raqqa and al-Hasakah due to military operations and sought refuge in Qamishli. According to reporters, displaced people face severe humanitarian conditions; many are housed in schools converted into shelters where basic services and heating are lacking, worsening their suffering from the cold.
Syria’s Ministry of Defense accused SDF forces of more than 35 attacks on Syrian army positions within a single day, despite an existing ceasefire. According to the ministry, these attacks resulted in the deaths of 11 servicemen and the wounding of more than 25. In addition, Syrian military said they discovered, near the al-Yarubiyah crossing, a workshop with Iranian-made drones that, they claim, the SDF were preparing for use. The SDF deny these accusations, asserting they have not conducted military activity in the area and in turn accuse the government of violating the agreement.
U.S. military officials said the process of transferring ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq will be significantly accelerated and will take "days, not weeks." U.S. Central Command said its commander discussed by phone with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar a coordinated handover of the detainees. Both sides confirmed their commitment to the final defeat of ISIS in Syria. U.S. command also announced the start of transferring detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq and their placement in secure detention centers.
The number of ISIS detainees expected to be moved from Syria to Iraq is projected to reach about 7,000. Damascus welcomed the proposal. U.S. command and stakeholders stressed the importance of respecting the ceasefire agreement with the SDF during this operation to ensure a safe transfer and prevent escalation on the ground. Logistical details and the timetable are still being worked out, but statements point to an acceleration of the process in the coming days. Serious security and humanitarian problems in the region persist.
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Who are the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and what is their role and relationship with the Syrian government in the northeast? - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are a coalition led by Kurdish formations, created in 2015 to fight ISIS. They control a significant portion of northeastern Syria and have a complex relationship with the Syrian government: formally they do not recognize Damascus’s authority, but in practice they sometimes coordinate with government forces on security and administrative matters, especially in areas where Turkish troops or remnants of ISIS are present.
What is the Al-Hol camp in al-Hasakah province and why is control over it so important in the fight against ISIS? - The Al-Hol camp is a camp for displaced persons in al-Hasakah province, housing primarily women and children linked to ISIS fighters, including foreign nationals. Control over it is important because the camp is considered a breeding ground for ISIS’s radical ideology; frequent violent incidents occur there, and safe management is necessary to prevent the resurgence of the terrorist network and to enable reintegration or legal prosecution of its inhabitants.
What was Raqqa’s historical status during the conflict and why does it remain a focal point for tensions related to ISIS detainees? - Raqqa served as the de facto capital of the so-called ISIS “caliphate” from 2014 to 2017, making it a symbol of their rule. After liberation by the SDF with international coalition support, the city remains a hotspot of tension due to the large number of ISIS detainees held in regional prisons and the presence of fighters’ families, creating persistent security threats and requiring coordination among various forces to prevent escapes and attacks.
Full version: الأمن السوري يواصل البحث عن سجناء تنظيم الدولة الفارين