Syrian government takes over prison with ISIL-linked detainees in Raqqa

Al JazeeraEN 5 min read 100% complete by By Al Jazeera staffJanuary 23, 2026 at 01:32 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Under a four-day ceasefire agreement that began Tuesday night, the Syrian government has taken control of al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa, previously held by the Kurdish-led SDF. The prison houses a number of ISIL (ISIS) detainees. The Interior Ministry confirmed that officials have begun examining prisoner conditions and records. The ceasefire followed a Syrian government advance in territory formerly held by the SDF. Over 1,000 SDF personnel were granted safe passage westward to Kobane. Syrian forces are also transferring SDF elements from the prison and surrounding areas to Ain al-Arab. Syrian forces have moved quickly to fill the security vacuum left by the retreating SDF.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Zein Basravi 30% Aleppo 30% Ain al-Arab 40% Turkiye 40% Kobane 50% Syria ×360% ISIL (ISIS) ×270% al-Aqtan Prison ×470% Raqqa ×880% Syrian Government ×590% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ×1290%

Keywords

sdf 90% syrian government 90% ceasefire agreement 80% raqqa 80% prison takeover 70% isil detainees 70% syria 60% withdrawal 60% al-aqtan prison 50% cessation of hostilities 40%