Security

SDF frees nine captured prison staff from ISIS

"In precise security and military operations conducted earlier yesterday evening, our forces succeeded in liberating nine captured prison staff."

Wladimir van Wilgenburg 2022/01/25 12:29

Fighting between ISIS and SDF fighters continued on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, for a fifth day (Photo: SDF Media Centre)

Syria SDF Hasakah ISIS

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) freed nine captured prison staff held hostage by ISIS militants on Tuesday morning, its media center reported.

"In precise security and military operations conducted earlier yesterday evening, our forces succeeded in liberating nine captured prison staff from the clutches of Daesh (ISIS) terrorists, moving them to safe places," the SDF Media Centre said in a statement.

However, local sources say ISIS still has other hostages, including over 700 children.

The SDF conducted another operation in other parts of Hasakah outside of the prison, searching for ISIS cells. It targeted "Daesh terrorist attackers who barricaded at the civilians' houses in an attempt to commit terrorist acts supporting the terrorist mutineers in al-Sina'a prison" in the al-Zuhour neighborhood.

"The operation resulted in eliminating five terrorists wearing explosive belts," the SDF reported.

The SDF eliminated nine ISIS militants, including two suicide bombers in the eastern neighborhood of Ghwayran, where the al-Sina'a prison is located. It also revealed that it killed three ISIS fighters who were also attempting to support "the terrorist mutineers trapped in the al-Sina'a prison" in southern Hasakah at the Khabur river.

"Our forces continue the security and military operations with precision in al-Alsina'a prison and its perimeter, Deir Ezzor eastern countryside, and Raqqa province," the SDF said.

On Sunday, the General Command of the SDF said that around 200 ISIS fighters attacked the prison in Hasakah on Jan. 20. As of Tuesday morning, clashes are ongoing.

According to the UN, 45,000 civilians have been displaced due to the fighting. However, local sources say the number could be higher.

Clara Moore, a Syria-based researcher at the Rojava Information Center (RIC), told Kurdistan 24 that "as far as we know fighting is still ongoing at the prison, with coalition ground and air support."