SDF says Shaddadi prison holding ISIS detainees out of its control
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday that Shaddadi prison in the southern countryside of Hasakah govrrnorate, which holds thousands of detainees affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS), is no longer under its control following repeated attacks on the facility.
In a statement, the SDF said, “Since the early hours of this morning, Shaddadi prison, which houses thousands of prisoners from ISIS, has been subjected to repeated attacks carried out by Damascus factions.”
The force added that its fighters confronted the assaults and repelled them several times, sustaining heavy losses. “Our forces broke the attacks more than once, offering dozens of martyrs and wounded to prevent a security catastrophe,” the statement said.
Despite the prison’s proximity to international forces, the SDF said no external support was provided during the fighting. “Although Shaddadi prison is located only about two kilometers from the International Coalition base in the area, the base did not intervene despite repeated calls,” the statement continued.
The SDF concluded by confirming that the prison has “currently gone out of the control of our forces.”
Shaddadi prison is one of several detention facilities in northeast Syria holding thousands of suspected ISIS members captured during years of operations led by the SDF with support from the US-led coalition. The prisons have long been considered sensitive sites, given past attempts by ISIS cells to organize coordinated assaults aimed at freeing detainees