"We have a vast prison population, posing a continuous threat," said Syrian Democratic Forces commander, Gen. Mazloum Abdi, in an interview with NBC News.
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| Men accused of being ISIS fighters at the Al Sina prison in northeastern Syria. |
Feb. 12, 2025, 4:00 PM GMT+6
ISIS Threat Lingers in Syrian Prisons and Camps
HASAKAH, Syria — Across a network of prisons and detention camps in northeastern Syria, the Islamic State (ISIS) remains a looming threat. While its so-called caliphate was dismantled, the group's ideology endures, fostering an army-in-waiting behind prison walls.
For now, these facilities are guarded by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led militia backed by the U.S. that played a crucial role in defeating ISIS. However, with the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last year and a shift in U.S. leadership, fears are growing that ISIS could once again rise.
A Prison Army
In northern Syria, around 10,000 suspected ISIS fighters are confined in 28 prisons, the largest being Al Sina Prison in Hasakah. The facility holds thousands of men, many captured in 2019 during ISIS’ last stand.
Among them is Ibrahim, a Moroccan national who admitted to fighting for ISIS but claimed he no longer posed a threat. "If I were dangerous, I would not have surrendered," he told NBC News. Like many foreign detainees, he remains stranded as his home country refuses to repatriate him.
SDF commander Gen. Mazloum Abdi considers these prisoners highly dangerous. "They are hard-liners," he said. "With such large numbers in our prisons, the threat persists." This was made clear three years ago when ISIS fighters stormed Al Sina Prison, killing guards and freeing hundreds of prisoners before the attack was quelled with U.S. military assistance.
“We have intelligence that ISIS is planning another prison break,” Abdi warned. “If they escape, ISIS could rebuild.” The U.S. military echoed this concern last month, calling the detainees a "literal and figurative 'ISIS Army' in detention."
Al Hol: A Breeding Ground for Extremism
Just 26 miles east of Hasakah, Al Hol Camp houses around 40,000 people—mostly women and children. Many are relatives of ISIS fighters, and SDF officials say the camp is a breeding ground for the next generation of militants.
“A radical mindset is deeply ingrained here,” said Jihan Hanan, Al Hol’s director. “The residents are only becoming more extreme.”
With limited resources, security forces can only guard the perimeter, allowing violence to flourish inside. “There have been murders, and some are armed,” Hanan said, noting frequent escape attempts.
The camp’s most dangerous section, known as The Annex, holds around 6,000 foreigners from 51 countries. Governments have largely refused to take them back. Inside, conditions are dire—filthy pathways, open sewers, and makeshift plastic tents offering little shelter from the cold.
Children as young as seven are seen chanting ISIS slogans and throwing stones at outsiders. One Tunisian woman, fearing for her safety, told NBC News she regretted joining the ISIS “caliphate” but worried most for her three young daughters. “This place is dangerous for children,” she said. “They have no education, no future.”
Uncertain Future Amid Political Shifts
The SDF relies heavily on U.S. support to maintain security at these facilities, but that support is now in question. President Donald Trump recently froze U.S. foreign aid for 90 days and has proposed shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development, moves that could cripple SDF operations.
Meanwhile, the broader political landscape in Syria has shifted. With Assad’s government toppled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, uncertainty looms over Kurdish-controlled areas. Turkey, a key HTS backer, considers the SDF a terrorist organization and has frequently attacked its positions.
But the biggest threat to the region’s stability may come from Washington. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump suggested a full withdrawal of the remaining 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria.
“Syria is its own mess,” he said. “They don’t need us involved.”
For those overseeing ISIS prisoners, such a move could have devastating consequences. “It would be a disaster,” Hanan said. “Without U.S. support, we risk an ISIS resurgence.”
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