20 ‘dangerous terrorists’ escaped Hasakah prison: Iraqi Security Advisor

The Ghuwayran prison holds over 3,000 prisoners, many of them suspected ISISA members.
Hundreds of ISIS prisoners surrender to the SDF forces in Hasakah (Photo: SDF Media Centre)
Hundreds of ISIS prisoners surrender to the SDF forces in Hasakah (Photo: SDF Media Centre)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji said on Thursday that 20 “dangerous terrorists” escaped from Syria’s northeastern Hasakah prison during the January jailbreak. 

Al-Araji ’s remarks came during his meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Iraq Ville Varjola in Baghdad. They discussed the Iran nuclear talks, repatriation of ISIS prisoners in Syria, and humanitarian aid to Iraq, according to a statement released by the state-owned Iraqi News Agency.

The Ghuwayran prison holds over 3,000 prisoners, many of them suspected ISISA members. The January jailbreak resulted in prolonged fighting that lasted over a week and left 300 people dead. 

At least “20 dangerous terrorists” managed to escape the prison, al-Araji told the EU emissary, urging European countries to repatriate the ISIS suspects from the prison and al-Hol camp as the sites are poorly maintained due to limited resources. 

The two politicians also talked about the ongoing Vienna talks between Iran and US along with other European countries on the Islamic republic’s nuclear program. 

“We believe the success of Vienna talks have a positive effect on Iraq and the region,” the Iraqi advisor told the European diplomat.

The EU provided five million euros in humanitarian aid to Iraq, according to the statement.