Syrian Kurds say no escapees after IS prison revolt
Kurdish forces have put down a prison revolt in northeast Syria, where Islamic State detainees were apparently protesting their conditions, likely in fear of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kurdish-led forces say they have defused an overnight revolt in a prison in northeast Syria after Islamic State detainees took partial control of the facility apparently to protest their conditions.
In a statement a spokesman for the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) asserted that none of the prisoners had managed to flee Al-Sinaa prison in Hasakah, contrary to initial reports. The building was cordoned off by local security forces, while the coalition provided aerial backup to locate any fugitives.
“We confirm that there are no [reported escapes] of detainees and the prison is completely under control," said SDF spokesman Kino Gabriel.
But hours later, there were unconfirmed reports that the uprising had not been fully extinguished and that gunfire could still be heard while coalition aircraft hovered above.
