Syria accuses SDF of freeing ISIS prisoners, pledges to secure al-Hol camp

Damascus, Jan. 20 (SANA) Syria’s Interior Ministry said on Tuesday that following a recent agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the latest released a number of detainees from the ISIS militant along with their families.

The ministry added that SDF units withdrew from guarding al-Hol camp, eastern Hasakah, without coordination with the Syrian government or the U.S.-led coalition, as an attempt to pressure Damascus over counterterrorism efforts.

The Interior Ministry affirmed that it was closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary measures in coordination with the international coalition to preserve security and stability and prevent any threats to public safety.

In a related development, the Ministry of Defense announced on its official Telegram channel its full readiness to assume control of al-Hol camp and all prisons holding ISIS militants in the region.

It stressed that its priority remained combating the extremist group and rejected SDF leadership’s attempt by to exploit the detainee issue as political leverage to spread chaos and destabilize the area.

The ministry urged the SDF to honor its commitments and implement the January 18 agreement without delay.

Reaffirming its pledge to protect Syria’s Kurdish population, the Defense Ministry said government forces would not enter Kurdish villages and towns, emphasizing that the army was a shield for all Syrians, tasked with restoring stability and safeguarding state institutions.

Earlier Tuesday, Ministry of Interior said that its forces had arrested 81 ISIS militants late Monday who escaped from al-Shaddadi prison in southern Hasakah province, northeastern Syria, which was under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

SANA