The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Fearing possible presence of hostages | Military forces postpone elimination of ISIS fighters holed up in Ghuwayran prison

Large-scale combing operations continue in residential neighbourhoods in Al-Hasakah city

Al-Hasakah province: Reliable sources have reported large-scale combing operations by SDF, Asayish Forces and Counter-Terrorism Forces in residential neighbourhoods nearby Ghuwayran / Al-Sina’a prison, including Ghuwayran, Al-Zuhour, Boma’ish and Al-Naserah, searching for ISIS members.

 

According to SOHR sources, tight security measures are imposed on the residents, amid checking IDs and rigorously inspection in houses and neighbourhoods.

 

On the other hand, the remaining ISIS fighters in the prison are still refusing to surrender, as they have sworn to fight to death. Meanwhile, military forces are besieging this group, but they have not launched any operations against the group so far, fearing possible presence of hostages, especially since some of the prison’s employees and guards are still missing.

 

A few hours ago, SOHR sources reported that inspection and combing operations continued in the quarters and buildings of Ghuwayran / Al-Sina’a prison in Al-Hasakah city, from which prisoners were evacuated. Meanwhile, tens of ISIS gunmen were stationed in the prison’s basements, where the military forces were not able to get closer to these well-fortified basements. According to SOHR sources, these basements were out of reach of the airstrikes by the International Coalition. While the military forces tended to wait until hanger forced ISIS gunmen to surrender.

 

SOHR sources also reported that ISIS fighters swore to fight to death and refused to surrender whatever happens.

 

The ongoing operations inside the prison coincided with ongoing inspection and combing campaigns in the neighbourhoods of Al-Naseriyyah, Al-Mufti, Ghuwayran, Al-Zuhour and other areas, searching for ISIS cells.

 

On the other hand, reliable SOHR sources confirmed that the military forces found the bodies of 18 combatants during the combing operations inside Ghuwayran prison, as they had been killed by ISIS members. SOHR also documented the death of seven ISIS members in airstrikes by International Coalition aircraft on positions where ISIS members holed up nearby the prison.

 

Accordingly, the total death toll since the start of Ghuwayran prison break on January 20 evening reached 260: 180 ISIS fighters, seven civilians and 73 members of Asayish Forces, prison guards, counter-terrorism forces and SDF.

 

The Syrian Observatory asserts that this death toll is not definitive and expected to rise further in light of the ongoing combing campaigns, as more bodies are expected to be found. In addition, there are many people who have sustained serious injuries.