Hasakah's Sina'a prison still not cleared of ISIS: RIC

Wladimir van Wilgenburg 2022/01/30 13:01

Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeastern Syrian city of al-Hasakah on January 24, 2022 (Photo: AFP)

Syria Sinaa prison ISIS SDF Ghwayran Hasakah

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Syria-based Rojava Information Centre (RIC) on Sunday reported that at "least 10 ISIS remnants in Sina'a surrendered yesterday, though the (Sina'a prison has not yet been cleared."

New video from YPG Press office shows remaining ISIS fighters surrendering in the Sina'a prison and handing over their weapons pic.twitter.com/MyDMclNDA7
— Wladimir (@vvanwilgenburg) January 29, 2022

Moreover, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) war monitor reported that an ISIS commander known as Abu Abaida surrendered with 20 of his followers in the prison on Saturday.

According to the RIC, "8 ISIS members were arrested in Ghweiran (Ghwayran neighborhood) - 15 overall since 26.1 (Jan. 26). Clashes between Asayish & an ISIS cell broke out yesterday near Fatima Zahra School, in north Ghweiran."

Furthermore, SOHR said that SDF forces supported by the coalition tried to save five hostages held by ISIS fighters in a residential building on Saturday in Ghwayran.

ISIS kidnapped a local community leader and three civilians in the building on Ghwayran's Aghwat Street.

Three ISIS fighters were killed during the operation.

"Two of them bombed themselves with explosive belts and the third was shot by the joint patrol forces," SOHR reported. "The fates of the hostages remain unknown till now with ongoing clashes."

ISIS launched its attack on Sina'a prison, which holds 3,000 to 3,500 suspected terrorists, with an explosive-laden car on Jan. 20.

On Wednesday, the SDF announced that it had retaken full control of the prison. However, they later uncovered an estimated 60-90 terrorists in the prison's northern dormitories.

The RIC said it confirmed the identities of "35 of their fallen soldiers, including 2 who fell after the SDF declared victory on 26.1. 18 soldiers alone died on 22.1 (Jan. 22)."

It also said the Kurdish Asayish security forces and coalition forces secured the arrival of 28 trucks loaded with UN humanitarian aid to Hasakah. Some displaced residents have also begun to return to their homes.