Syrian government forces are reportedly racing to re-arrest dozens of the escaped ISIS fighters. These people recently fled Al-Aqtaan Prison in northeast Syria. Approximately 120 detainees fled during this uprising. The eruption occurred just as the Syrian regime intensified targeted campaigns to retake ground held by Kurdish militias across the province. Fleeing with such a dangerous animal warrants serious questions. Today, many might wrongly perceive the Islamic State as vanquished after it lost control over 90 percent of territory it held in Syria.
The Dynamics of Territory and Control
At its peak, ISIS ruled an area the size of Britain, about one-third of the territory of Syria, with Raqqa as its capital. While the SDF announced the complete liberation of Raqqa in 2017, they conducted the majority of the fighting alongside U.S.-led coalition forces to retake territory. With government-aligned forces continuing their advance into Kurdish-controlled territory, the future of the region remains uncertain.
Farhad Shami, a spokesperson for the SDF, highlighted the diversity of the detainees at Al-Aqtaan Prison, stating, “These people include Syrians, Iraqis and other foreign nationals from an estimated 74 countries.” The detainees themselves are a reflection of this range of nationalities. This diversity underscores the complexity of this conflict and illustrates the deep and wide international consequences of the resurgence of ISIS.
Ongoing Security Efforts
The Syrian Interior Ministry has said that they are trying to recapture the escaped detainees. This response is in the wake of the recent prison break. Of the 120 who broke out, 81 have been recaptured as of this writing. Just last month, the ministry made headlines by announcing its commitment to restoring “peace.” This is due in part to concerns that escaped ISIS fighters could reconstitute and attack again.
We have repeatedly condemned the terrible conditions in the detention facilities where these suspects are detained. They uncover dozens of grave human rights abuses impacting more than 56,000 people in state custody. In its latest report, it noted that at least 27 detention facilities and two camps are currently operating in Syria. These facilities hold an estimated 10,000 ISIS fighters. They often serve as jails for local police to hold inmates who aren’t psychically tethered to extremist organizations.
In the face of these challenges, attacks on rule making endure. The U.S.-led coalition relied heavily on the SDF to protect these important installations. New accusations show that their collaboration has utterly crumbled. The SDF has openly derided the coalition for failing to react appropriately as government forces made gains. This evolving scenario underscores how tenuous alliances often are in the battle against ISIS.
“A literal and figurative ‘ISIS Army’ in detention.” – CENTCOM
Implications for Regional Stability
Meanwhile, the Syrian government is systematically trying to reassert control over regions that used to be under ISIS rule. This ongoing effort carries severe repercussions for the stability of the region. If Turkey’s takeover of Kurdish-held areas goes as planned, it would almost certainly trigger even more conflict and displacement.
Syrian forces are intensifying their hunt for escaped ISIS fighters. Yet analysts warn that a rebounding ISIS would cause chaos within Syria and pose a grave danger to surrounding countries. Clearly, the demand for a comprehensive approach that involves working with others across the globe is essential in understanding the multi-layered dynamics at work.
