Reports have indicated clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian army around Al-Aqtan Prison north of Raqqa city, highlighting the extreme sensitivity of the prison case in northeastern Syria, where thousands of ISIS detainees are being held under SDF control.

Prisons in northeastern Syria remain one of the most delicate security files in the country. They house thousands of ISIS fighters captured during military operations and the liberation of territory previously held by the group. The most prominent facilities include Ghuwayran Prison in Hasakah, al-Malikiyah (Derik), and al-Shaddadi, in addition to temporary detention centers in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.

Al-Aqtan Prison
Al-Aqtan Prison is a detention facility located in the countryside north of Raqqa, administered by the SDF in areas that fell under its control following the liberation of the city from ISIS.

The prison holds ISIS fighters and operatives arrested during military campaigns and security operations.

According to media reports, Al-Aqtan Prison has gained a reputation for harsh detention conditions, including restrictions on family visits, prolonged detention without prompt trials, limited access to healthcare, and ongoing tension between inmates and prison authorities.

Inmate numbers
Ghuwayran Prison alone is estimated to hold around 4,500 detainees. The SDF also oversees al-Hol camp, which houses more than 40,000 family members of ISIS fighters - mostly Syrians and Iraqis, along with a number of foreign nationals.

SDF estimates indicate that between 9,000 and 11,000 ISIS fighters are currently detained across 12 prisons in northeastern Syria.