Jihadist Prisons in Syria: A Ticking Time Bomb Under SDF Watch
By Kardo Roj
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Inside the heavily fortified walls of northeast Syria’s ISIS prisons, thousands of detainees remain locked away in overcrowded cells, waiting for an uncertain fate. Held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), many of these men are former ISIS fighters, hailing from dozens of countries, including Britain, Canada, and Sweden. With no trials and no prospects for repatriation, these prisoners have become an enduring security threat in a region already plagued by instability.
Sky News correspondent Alex Crawford, who recently gained rare access to Panorama Prison in Hasakah, described grim conditions inside the facility, where inmates share cells with up to 25 others. Guards at the prison warned that disease is rampant, with tuberculosis outbreaks claiming lives. The stench of confinement and desperation fills the air, as foreign detainees claim they have been abandoned by their home countries.
For the SDF, however, the concern is far greater than the deteriorating conditions—it is the looming threat of another large-scale ISIS prison break.
A Growing Security Crisis
The SDF currently manages around two dozen detention centers housing nearly 10,000 ISIS fighters, including approximately 2,000 foreign nationals. The region also hosts sprawling camps like al-Hol and Roj, where tens of thousands of ISIS-linked women and children are held under strict security measures. Despite repeated calls from AANES officials for international governments to repatriate their citizens, most countries remain reluctant, leaving the Kurdish-led administration to shoulder the burden alone.
Sky News documented interviews with prisoners who insist they are no longer a threat, but SDF officials remain unconvinced. “The danger is not just inside the prison walls. ISIS cells are still active, and these detainees are part of their long-term strategy,” an SDF commander said.
Memories of the 2022 Hasakah Prison Break
Concerns over ISIS prison breaks are not unfounded. In January 2022, ISIS militants launched a coordinated assault on al-Sina’a prison in Hasakah, attempting to free thousands of fighters. The attack triggered a 10-day-long battle between ISIS cells and SDF forces, supported by the U.S.-led Global Coalition. By the time order was restored, over 500 people had been killed, including dozens of SDF fighters and prison staff.
Since then, the SDF has bolstered security around its detention facilities, installing blast walls, increasing surveillance, and intensifying intelligence operations. Yet, with ISIS cells still active in the region, Kurdish officials warn that another attack is only a matter of time.
Harsh Conditions and Continued Radicalization
Inside Panorama Prison, conditions remain dire. Inmates from more than 80 nationalities, including former Western ISIS recruits, live in cramped, unsanitary quarters. Prisoners interviewed by Sky News expressed frustration over their indefinite detention.
Hamza Parvez, a British national who traveled to Syria in 2014, admitted to joining ISIS but insisted he was not involved in any combat. Speaking through a cell door grate, Parvez said, “A lot of mistakes were made—I’m bearing the brunt of those mistakes.”
Others, like Muhammad Aleen from Canada, claim they were forced to fight for ISIS and now plead for justice. “We’ve been here for seven years, without trial, without rights,” he said.
However, Kurdish authorities argue that these prisoners remain a potential threat. “Many of these men still believe in ISIS ideology,” said an SDF intelligence officer. “We see it in how they interact, how they talk, and how they look at us. If released, they would rejoin the fight.”
Al-Hol Camp: A Breeding Ground for Extremism
Beyond the prisons, al-Hol camp remains one of the most volatile locations in northeast Syria. Holding around 45,000 people—mostly women and children—al-Hol is frequently described as an “ISIS time bomb.” Despite ongoing security operations by the SDF, extremist cells continue to operate within the camp, targeting civilians and security forces alike.
Sky News journalists witnessed firsthand how children in the camp—many of them born to ISIS families—express support for the group’s ideology. Some make throat-cutting gestures at journalists and SDF guards, warning that ISIS will return.
“The next generation of ISIS is growing up right here,” an SDF said. “Without international intervention, these children will become the next wave of jihadists.”
Turkish Attacks Complicate the Security Situation
The SDF’s ability to maintain security is further hampered by ongoing Turkish airstrikes targeting key positions in northeast Syria. Ankara considers the SDF-linked People’s Protection Units (YPG) to be an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Since early 2024, Turkish drone strikes have intensified, killing SDF fighters and disrupting security operations. Meanwhile, Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) factions continue to engage in sporadic clashes with the SDF, further destabilizing the region.
Kurdish officials argue that these attacks weaken their ability to combat ISIS effectively. “Every time Turkey strikes our forces, ISIS benefits,” an SDF commander told North Press. “We are fighting on multiple fronts, and the international community must recognize this.”
The Call for International Action
With no clear resolution in sight, AANES officials continue to press foreign governments to take back their citizens. The United States and the Global Coalition provide limited funding and logistical support, but local leaders insist that more must be done.
“We cannot bear this burden alone,” an AANES spokesperson said. “ISIS is a global problem, not just a Syrian one. These prisoners and their families must be dealt with through proper legal channels in their home countries.”
Yet, as diplomatic stalemates persist, the fate of thousands of ISIS detainees remains in limbo. The SDF maintains control for now, but how long it can sustain this fragile security situation remains uncertain.