Syrian government seizes al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa as SDF withdraws
Syrian forces assumed control of al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa after SDF fighters withdrew under a ceasefire, amid transfers and ongoing reviews of IS-linked detainees' records.
Overview
Syrian government forces took over al-Aqtan prison north of Raqqa on Friday after Kurdish-led SDF fighters evacuated as part of a recent ceasefire agreement.
Raqqa governor said al-Aqtan holds up to 2,000 detainees; unclear how many are IS-linked while authorities begin reviewing prisoners' files and conditions.
The U.S. military has begun transferring thousands of IS suspects from SDF-run detention centers to Iraq, part of wider moves to secure unstable northeastern prisons.
Earlier unrest at Shaddadeh prison allowed about 120 IS detainees to escape; most were recaptured, highlighting risks amid the SDF withdrawal and government takeover.
Deal integrating SDF into Syrian ministries prompted withdrawals; analysts warn of fragile ceasefire and unclear plans for Kurdish governance, fighters' integration, and detainee accountability.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this reporting neutrally: they rely on attributed official statements (Syrian Interior Ministry, SDF, U.S. envoy), use factual language without loaded adjectives, and provide contextual details (prison names, detainee counts, prior battles). Coverage shows balanced sourcing and clear separation between editorial narration and quoted source content.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Al-Aqtan prison, located north of Raqqa, Syria, holds up to 2,000 detainees, some linked to the Islamic State (IS), with authorities reviewing their files.[1]
The Kurdish-led SDF withdrew from al-Aqtan prison as part of a ceasefire agreement and negotiations that allowed nearly 800 SDF fighters to move to safe locations toward Kobani, amid a government offensive.[1]
At Shaddadeh prison, about 120 IS detainees escaped amid chaos when government troops entered; most were recaptured. Al-Hol camp was also taken by government forces.[1]
The U.S. military has begun transferring thousands of IS suspects from SDF-run detention centers to Iraq to secure unstable northeastern prisons.[1]
The deal integrates SDF into Syrian ministries, but analysts warn of a fragile ceasefire, unclear plans for Kurdish governance, fighter integration, and detainee accountability amid ongoing offensives.[1]
History
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