Latest from the prison attack and mass breakout attempt in Hesekê

Late on Thursday evening, a coordinated mass breakout attempt took place from Hesekê’s Sina detention centre in the Xiwêran (Ghweiran) district, where around 5,000 supporters and members of the terrorist organisation “Islamic State” are being held. The ISIS tried to storm the detention centre from the outside, while a riot broke out inside. The attack and uprising were thwarted by the Internal Security Forces (Asayîş). While heavy fighting then ensued, the attackers and some prisoners who had managed to break out fled to the nearby residential district of Zihûr (Al-Zohour). The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which had arrived in the evening to provide support, sealed off the neighbourhood and the area around Sina prison with a wide security corridor. After the attack, the SDF and Asayish maintained control around the prison.

In the meantime, the SDF announced on Friday that 89 mercenaries who tried to escape from prison have been captured. Earlier today, SDF killed 5 attackers, including a Chinese.

Sporadic clashes with ISIS sleeper cells are continuing in the areas in the west of the prison and at some locations in the north.

According to local sources, as the SDF acted very carefully to avoid harming civilians, the operation took time to be completed.

At least 4 civilians have been killed in ISIS attacks so far. Moreover, ANHA reporter Basil Reşid, who was covering the attack, was injured by a bullet into his stomach and rib cage.