The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has allowed 200 terrorists of ISIS to withdraw from Geweran prison in the northeastern Syrian city of al-Hasakah in exchange for the release of 23 of its own fighters who were being held as hostages, the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper reported on January 27, citing an official in the US-backed group.
ISIS terrorists attacked Geweran prison on January 20 where some 4,000 of their comrades were being held. The prison break attempt escalated into a six-day battle between the terrorists and the SDF.
“Negotiations took place yesterday, Wednesday [January 26], between the SDF and the Islamic State organization, which resulted in the release of about 200 members of the Islamic State organization, who were smuggled to al-Badia, in exchange for the latter’s release of 23 members of the SDF,”
the unnamed official told al-Quds al-Arabi.
Al-Badia is a term usually used to refer to the desert region in northeastern Syria which lays along the border with Iraq, as well as to the desert region in central Syria.
Al-Quds al-Arabi identified two of ISIS commanders who managed to escape from Geweran prison after the January 20 attack as Abu Dujanah, an Iraqi commander who was responsible for Raqqa, and Abu Hamzah Sharqiyah, a Syrian commander who was responsible for the eastern countryside of Aleppo.
Other sources told the newspaper that dozens of ISIS terrorists who escaped from Geweran during the attack are still hiding in al-Hasakah city and other SDF-held parts of northeastern Syria.
It’s worth noting that only 1,600 terrorist surrendered to the SDF, or were apprehended by the group after the January 20. The fate of more than 2,000 others remains unknown.
The SDF’s victory declaration on January 26 appears to be nothing but a propaganda stunt. As of January 27, clashes continue around Geweran prison, where between 60 to 90 terrorists are still holding up, according to the SDF’s own statements.
The terrorists carried out two attacks on SDF fighters killing or wounding eight, according to ISIS’ Amaq news agency. They also managed to attack a group of journalists and personnel from the US-led coalition.
The SDF and the US-led coalition are clearly trying to mislead the public on the real situation in Geweran prison, likely to hide their security failure and their new deal with ISIS.
Source: South Front
