Summary
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have left a camp holding people with links to the Islamic State (IS) due to ongoing clashes with Syrian government forces, despite a ceasefire. The Syrian government criticized the SDF's withdrawal, mentioning that it occurred without coordination. This move came after prisoners broke out of a nearby detention center amid fighting.
Key Facts
- The SDF withdrew from al-Hol camp, which holds about 20,000 people associated with IS, due to conflicts with the Syrian government.
- The Syrian government condemned the withdrawal, noting there was no coordination with them or the US-led coalition.
- Around 120 detainees escaped from Shaddadi prison during clashes, but 81 have been recaptured.
- The SDF reported losing control of the prison and mentioned that 1,500 detainees were released by government forces.
- Al-Aqtan prison near Raqqa has been shelled and has lost access to water.
- An agreement with the Syrian government will have the SDF withdrawing from some regions and integrating into government forces.
- The SDF's withdrawal and integration is significant because it relinquishes their gained autonomy after fighting IS.
- President Ahmed al-Sharaa aims to reunify Syria, which remains divided and affected by sectarian violence.
