Syrian Forces Gain Control of Al-Aqtan Prison, Housing IS Detainees

Syrian government forces have taken control of al-Aqtan prison, where members of the Islamic State (IS) group were being held, following the evacuation of Kurdish fighters who had been responsible for guarding the facility. This shift in power highlights the ongoing tensions in northern Syria and the evolving landscape of authority in a region long marred by conflict.

Why It Matters

The recapture of this prison is significant as it reflects the broader changes occurring in northeast Syria. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), previously the main force combating IS, are now ceding control to the Syrian government amidst a fragile ceasefire and shifting alliances. The implications of this move could reshape security dynamics and raise concerns regarding the treatment of detainees.

Key Developments

• Syrian government forces secured al-Aqtan prison, located north of Raqqa, after Kurdish fighters evacuated the site.
• The Interior Ministry of Syria announced that the government is now reviewing the detainee files at the facility, which reportedly houses up to 2,000 inmates.
• Al-Aqtan is the second prison to shift to government control recently, following the entry of troops into Shaddadeh prison, where a mass escape occurred amid the chaos.
• Negotiations are ongoing between the Syrian government and the SDF, with a ceasefire declared after a renewed agreement was signed over the weekend.
• The U.S. military has begun transferring some of the approximately 9,000 IS detainees held in SDF-controlled facilities to Iraq.

Full Report

Evacuation and Transition

On Friday, Syrian government forces announced their capture of al-Aqtan prison following a coordinated evacuation of Kurdish fighters. This transition marks a significant shift as the SDF, previously the primary force opposing IS in Syria, adapts to new military and political realities. The detainees, including potential members of the IS terrorist organization, are now under government oversight as their files undergo examination.

In a related development, over the past week, government forces had surrounded al-Aqtan prison, intensifying an offensive against the SDF. Raqqa’s governor indicated there are approximately 2,000 detainees at the facility, but a precise count of those linked to IS remains unclear.

Kurdish Fighters’ Departure

As part of a recently negotiated agreement, nearly 800 SDF fighters safely made their way to Kobani, a region still under SDF control. The transfers occurred amid a backdrop of significant hardship for residents, who face dire living conditions due to a protracted siege. Local resident Mihemet Bozan described the situation as increasingly critical, with dwindling fuel supplies for heating and essential goods running out.

U.S. Involvement and Future Implications

The U.S. military confirmed the initiation of prisoner transfers from SDF facilities to Iraq as part of evolving security agreements. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack remarked that the SDF’s role in combatting IS was diminishing, citing the new Syrian government’s readiness to take on security responsibilities.

Context & Previous Events

The recent developments stem from an agreement signed in March by Syria’s interim government and the SDF, aimed at coordinating security efforts and merging military forces. Tensions re-emerged in January when talks faltered, leading to renewed fighting between the two factions. The latest ceasefire, declared earlier this week, aims to stabilize the conflict-ridden region as both sides navigate shifting alliances and ongoing negotiations.

As government forces consolidate control in the region, the future of the IS detainees and local populations remain uncertain within a complex web of local, national, and international interests.