SDF 'loses control' of ISIS prison in Hasaka after attack by 'armed groups'

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Monday reported a “serious escalation” by Damascus-affiliated “armed groups” in Hasaka and Raqqa, including near two prisons housing thousands of Islamic State (ISIS) fighters, despite a landmark ceasefire agreement that came into effect on Sunday to halt clashes and integrate the Kurdish-led forces under the Syrian state. The SDF later reported that their forces lost control of one of the two jails.

In a statement on X, the SDF said that “factions affiliated with the Damascus government continue their attacks on our forces in Ain Issa in northern Raqqa, al-Shaddadi in southern Hasaka, and Raqqa.”

The statement added that “violent clashes are underway between our forces and those factions in the vicinity of al-Aqtan Prison in Raqqa, which houses detainees from the ISIS terrorist organization, representing an extremely dangerous development.”

In a follow-up statement, the SDF said that “armed groups” also launched an attack near al-Shaddadi prison, “which holds thousands of ISIS members,” adding that “intense clashes with our forces tasked with protecting the prison” are underway amid “an extremely dangerous security situation.” Soon after the SDF reported that the al-Shaddadi prison "is no longer under our forces' control."

The Kurdish-led forces further warned that “the level of threat is escalating significantly,” cautioning that the capture of these prisons by Damascus-affiliated armed groups could lead to serious security repercussions, threatening stability and opening the door to a return of chaos and terrorism.

For her part, Foza Alyusuf, a senior member of northeast Syria’s (Rojava) ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD), has called on "Kurdistani forces to declare a general mobilization," warning that "Kurds in Rojava face the threat of extermination." In a post on X, she added that "the ceasefire announcement by the Damascus [interim] government, it has not been upheld," citing the clashes in al-Shaddadi and Ain Issa.

“Our people must stay alert and prepared for all possibilities,” the senior Rojava official warned.

The escalation comes less than 24 hours after Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced late Sunday that he had signed a 14-point agreement with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi to “immediately” halt ongoing violence in northeast Syria (Rojava) and integrate areas administered by the Kurdish-led authority into state institutions.

Among its key provisions, the agreement stipulates the integration of the SDF and its affiliated Internal Security Forces (Asayish) into the defense and interior ministries, as well as the immediate handover of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces by the Kurdish-led Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES).

Under the accord, Damascus will also assume responsibility for ISIS detainees and their families currently held by the SDF.

The agreement further grants SDF leadership the right to submit “a list of nominees” for “senior military, security, and civilian posts,” with Sharaa expected to issue a decree “appointing one nominee as governor of Hasaka.”

In a late-night video message, the Kurdish-led forces commander Abdi said on Sunday that the SDF remains determined to protect the "achievements" of Rojava, despite a “war” being imposed on his forces.

“This war was imposed on us, we sought to prevent it, but unfortunately, because it was planned by many forces,” Abdi said in a video message aired by the pro-SDF Ronahi TV channel.

“It was intended to become a civil war, but to avoid this and prevent further senseless bloodshed, we agreed to withdraw from Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa to Hasaka. An agreement to that effect was signed.”

Of note, Abdi on Monday arrived in the Syrian capital to meet Sharaa for talks.

Last updated at 5:15 pm.