A major insurrection by Daesh (ISIS)* prisoners has taken place at the al-Sinaa prison facility in the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces-controlled area in Hasakah, northeast Syria, the Syrian Arab News Agency has reported, citing local sources.
Yet to be authenticated footage from the scene shows SDF troops being deployed along the prison’s perimeter in Humvees and pickup trucks armed with machineguns, with US attack helicopters seen circling overhead.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the revolt may have been put down following negotiations between SDF and coalition forces and Daesh detainees.
The new bout of rioting follows an uprising which took place at the same prison on March 30, which saw militants taking partial control of the facility, with several managing to escape, before SDF special forces and US-backed coalition troops stormed the prison to restore order.
The al-Sinaa prison contains Daesh fighters of various nationalities, and is run by the SDF under the supervision of US occupation forces, holding part of the estimated 10,000 ex-Daesh fighters that the SDF has in its custody. 20 percent of these 10,000 prisoners are said to consist of foreigners whose home countries have refused to repatriate them.
The United States continues to maintain an occupying presence throughout much of oil-rich northeastern Syria despite repeated demands by the Damascus government that they leave the territory, in accordance with the principles of international law.
* A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.