Summary
Syrian government forces took control of a prison holding Islamic State (IS) detainees after Kurdish fighters left the area. This change is part of a deal between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The prison, al-Aqtan, now holds about 2,000 detainees, but it is unclear how many belong to IS.
Key Facts
- Syrian forces took over a prison in northern Syria that held IS detainees.
- Kurdish fighters evacuated the area as part of a deal with the Syrian government.
- The prison taken over is called al-Aqtan and is located near Raqqa.
- Al-Aqtan is the second prison recently handed over to the Syrian government by the Kurdish-led SDF.
- The transfer follows a failed round of talks and renewed fighting between Syrian forces and the SDF.
- The Kurdish fighters retreating from al-Aqtan moved to a location west towards Kobani.
- The U.S. military has also started transferring some IS detainees from Syria to Iraq.
- The prison holds about 2,000 detainees, with uncertain numbers directly linked to IS.
