SDF vows to escalate fight against ISIS

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Saturday pledged to bolster their efforts in combating the Islamic State (ISIS), following the recent attacks by the terror group against a prison in Hasaka, northeast Syria (Rojava).

In a press release, the SDF promised to continue the struggle against ISIS and its supporters. The statement comes following ISIS's massive attack on the Ghweran prison in Hasaka, leading to many ISIS prisoners reportedly escaping. The SDF thwarted the insurgence and captured many of the escapees.

"Since the last attack by ISIS terrorists on Al-Hasakah prison on January 20, our fighters have been making the greatest sacrifices in order to protect the region and gloval security, as these sacrifices have prevented the success of the dangerous terrorists in controlling the prison and escaping the most dangerous terrorists in the world from it," reads a statement from the press.

"We in the Syrian Democratic Forces proudly remember 17 of our martyrs in the military and internal security forces ... we also wish a speedy recovery to 23 of our comrades, fighters, and civil servants who were injured while repelling the attack," stated the group, addressing those who fell repelling the breach.

The Kurdish-led group cited "the blood of our martyrs" as inspiration for their fighters to continue the battle against ISIS and their supporters.

ISIS conducted over 300 terrorist operations in northern Syria in 2021, killing hundreds. The terrorist group's re-emergence is raising significant concern and threatening the area's security.

There are over 10,000 ISIS prisoners in northeast Syria, and ISIS-affiliated families make up the majority of the population of the notorious al-Hol camp which consists of about 56,000 people.

Ghweran and al-Shaddadi prisons in Hasaka hold an estimated number of 7,500 Syrian and foreign ISIS suspects, including children, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in 2020.