Syria: ISIS Prisoners Take Control of ‘Largest ISIS Prison’ in World

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said ISIS prisoners seized the Geweran prison in Hassakeh in northeast Syria, which is described as the “largest prison” for ISIS members in the world.

Since Thursday evening, the Observatory said, the death toll from violent incidents in and around Geweran prison and nearby neighborhoods in Hassakeh has risen to 41, including 20 members of the Internal Security Forces, counter-terrorism forces, prison guards, 16 ISIS gunmen and five civilians.

The death toll is likely to rise because of the large number of wounded, it said, and there are reports of other deaths.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that dozens of ISIS prisoners escaped from Geweran prison and were dispersed around the prison and nearby neighborhoods after ISIS prisoners seized control of the prison and seized weapons and ammunition, while clashes between the two sides have continued at a violent pace so far.

The prison, which houses around 3,500 ISIS fighters and leaders, is the largest for the group in the world, the Observatory said.
The attack was the deadliest and largest of its kind since ISIS was wiped out as a force controlling populated areas in March 2019.