Asayish thwarts ISIS attack on prison in Syria’s Hasakah

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – TheInternal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) supported by the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS thwarted, yesterday, a plan by an ISIS sleeper cell in Deir ez-Zor to attack Hasakah-based Sina’a prison. The prison is situated in Ghweiran neighborhood western Hasakah city and is designated to hold ISIS fighters.  

“The Anti-Terror Forces (HAT) backed by the Coalition Forces have carried out a distinctive military operation against ISIS in the area between al-Momken and Abu Khashab northwest of Deir ez-Zor, where the cell operates. One person was killed and four others were arrested,” Asayish General Command said in a statement. 

The Asayish managed to confiscate a vehicle (Toyota Hilux) belonging to ISIS, and the Coalition Forces air crafts detonated a vehicle (Kia K4000G), which was planned for the attack.

Large numbers of ammunition were also seized, the statement added.   

Hasakah-based Sina’a prion holds thousands of ISIS fighters captured by SDF on the battlefields over the years.  

Repeated cases of riot took place in Sina’a prison, the last of which was in October. All of the roads leading to the prison were closed by the Asayish and the Coalition Forces provided intensive aerial surveillance assistance.

In May, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) backed by the Coalition Forces conducted organized correctional security operations inside the prison.

Some cells were checked, the detainees’ archives were reorganized, security technics among cubicles were reformed and more security procedures were adopted.

Farhad Shami, the head of the SDF Media Center, denied that ISIS prisoners conducted riot in Sina’a prison.

On September 8 and 9, 2020, ISIS detainees in Sina’a prison conducted a riot but the Rapid Intervention Forces Team under the command of the SDF launched a security operation in the prison’s vicinity.  

A delegation of the Coalition entered the prison where intensive security forces were deployed around. ISIS fighters’ demands were to uncover their fate and whether they would be trialed or not, according to North Press reporter.    

The SDF calls for building prisons with better infrastructure and protected characteristics to provide more security to hundreds of ISIS fighters.

In April 2020, the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOIR) said it provided equipment to the SDF to protect the prison and deter any future riots.  

Reporting by Fansa Temmo