OIR says SDF’s ISIS detention centers at risk of attacks, breakouts
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The fourth quarter report of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) to the United States Congress said detention centers of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that hold militants of the Islamic State (ISIS) in northeast Syria are exposed to the danger of attacks and breakout attempts.
Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) reported that eight out of the 22 detention facilities operated by the SDF are “at risk of attack and/or breakout attempts by ISIS detainees and require ‘immediate improvements.'”
The detention facilities hold an estimated 9,050 ISIS detainees, as of an August assessment, according to the report.
According to CJTF-OIR’s assessment, eight facilities require immediate improvement, however, “the majority of detention facilities are ‘moderately’ secure and sufficient to keep detainees from escaping and rejoining the ISIS fight.”
On Jan. 20, 2022, the ISIS sleeper cells carried out a series of attacks on al-Sinaa prison in Hasakah city, northeastern Syria, to free thousands of ISIS militants.
The prison attack sparked a 10-day battle between the SDF and ISIS militants. On Jan. 30 of the same year, the SDF announced taking full control of the prison.
Moreover, OIR’s report stressed that in general, “the SDF demonstrated proficiency in its ability to manage the facilities and in moving ISIS detainees.”
Additionally, the report said the CJTF-OIR runs two guard training programs, Spectre Castle, which trains detention facility guards, and Spectre Village, which trains guards for IDP camps.
As of November 2023, 2,991 guards, including 2,471 members of the Internal Security forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) and 520 SDF fighters, had been trained under the two programs, according to the report.
“During the quarter, 121 guards graduated from Spectre Village training, including 7 women, bringing the total number of guards trained through that program to 1,766,” the report said.