How attack on Kurdish-run prison in northeast Syria will affect Islamic State
The Islamic State launched a massive attack on a Kurdish-run prison in Hasakah in northeastern Syria with the aim of releasing about 5,000 inmates.
The Islamic State (IS) launched an attack against Al-Sinaa prison in northeast Syria on the night of Jan 20-21. The prison, located in Hasakah’s Ghweran neighborhood, is run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Clashes then erupted between the SDF and IS militants around the prison, before spreading to other nearby areas.
On Jan. 25, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the clashes resulted in the death of 159 people, including 107 IS militants, 45 SDF forces and prison guards, and seven civilians.
The war monitor said the death toll may be higher than announced given that there are dozens whose fate is unknown, in addition to the large number of wounded, some of whom are in critical condition.
