Dr Wilk reports outbreak of tubercolosis in Sina prison, accuses international community of inaction

Wiesbaden doctor Michael Wilk wrote a piece for ANF German service from Hesekê. He wrote about an outbreak of tuberculosis in the Sina prison, where thousands of IS members are held and denounced that the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria is left alone dealing with the problem.

The piece is as follows:

“Meter-high walls, NATO wire, watchtowers, multi-story factory-like buildings inside the fortress-like terrain, armed guards everywhere. Sina prison in Hesekê is heavily secured – with good reason. In mid-January of this year, the prison witnessed heavy riots and an attack from outside. The Islamic State mercenaries tried to escape. Members of the jihadist militia, which was largely militarily crushed but still has numerous sleeper cells in the region, had organized an attack from outside that led to a mass outbreak and fierce fighting that lasted for almost two weeks.

The military alliance SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF), consisting of all population groups in north-eastern Syria, had to use US air support to defeat the ISIS supporters holed up in prison, who were fighting with captured weapons, and the ISIS mercenaries who had escaped to the surrounding areas. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a total of 373 people, including 268 ISIS terrorists, 98 fighters and seven civilians, were killed.

It is not known how many ISIS supporters are being held in Sina. I was told they are some 4200, the exact number can be higher or lower, as it is not revealed for security reasons. The detainees are considered extremists and extremely dangerous. Heads of the organisation are also interned in Sina. Around 700 minors under the age of 18 are being held in a block separated from that of the adults.

Now another dangerous problem plagues the prison officials. Hundreds of those arrested have been diagnosed with tuberculosis and many more are suspected to have it. Young people are also severely affected. The Kurdish Red Crescent (Heyva Sor a Kurd) was asked to help dealing with the outbreak.

Diagnosing the disease is not easy, and treatment is complex and lengthy. It usually lasts some six months. Up to four antibiotics must be taken during this time, and the risk of side effects is considerable. The separation of those affected and suspected cases is necessary. The occurrence of tuberculosis is a classic in people who live in confined spaces and who also have a weakened constitution.

Both the revolt of the ISIS terrorists and the rampant disease in prison are examples of the international community’s poor dealing with the ISIS problem. After the terrorist structure was dismantled by the SDF, the danger to the international coalition seemed to have been averted for the time being. It largely avoided responsibility. The guarding and care of the prisoners is at the expense of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. The same applies to the conditions in Hol camp, which have been intolerable for years. With tens of thousands of ISIS women and children, it represents a true hotbed of Islamist ideology with recurring murders and outbreaks of violence.

The return of the large proportion of foreign terrorists to their countries of origin and the establishment of international courts are on the long list of unfinished tasks of the so-called international community. International recognition of Rojava’s Autonomous Administration and respectful appreciation of the great commitment shown by the fighters would also be necessary, as would help to rebuild the region. The political reality, however, shows the exact opposite. Europe and the US are silent on the aggressive policies of the Erdogan regime, which has repeatedly invaded the area of ​​north-eastern Syria with the help of Islamist proxy troops and is again targeting the battered region with war, invasions and violence.