Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Syria Reports ISIS Prison Escape
There was a big escape at a prison in Syria called Shaddadi.
The Syrian government said about 120 Islamic State prisoners got away, but a Kurdish website said it was around 1,500.
The Syrian army and special forces went into the prison area and caught 81 of the escapees.
They are still looking for the rest.
The numbers from the Syrian government and the Kurdish website are different, so it's not clear exactly how many escaped.
The Syrian government is working to make sure all the escapees are caught.
Syrian Interior Ministry reports 120 Islamic State detainees escaped from Shaddadi prison.
Kurdish website Rudaw reports around 1,500 Islamic State members escaped.
Syrian army and special forces entered Shaddadi and recaptured 81 escapees.
Search and sweep operations continue to arrest remaining fugitives.
Discrepancy in the number of escapees reported by Syrian government and Kurdish website.
- Who
- Syrian Interior Ministry, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Islamic State detainees
- What
- Escape of Islamic State detainees from Shaddadi prison
- When
- January 20, 2024
- Where
- Shaddadi, Syria
- Why
- Details of the escape and subsequent recapture efforts
- Location
- Shaddadi, Syria
- Escapees
- 120 (Syrian Interior Ministry), 1,500 (Kurdish website)
- Recaptured
- 81
- Involved Parties
- Syrian government, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
- Prison
- Shaddadi prison
- Date
- January 20, 2024
Sources
Kurdish-led force says armed group attacks Syria prison holding thousands of Islamic State members
Syria tightens grip after Kurdish pull-back, attack reported on IS jail
Syria deal could remove main obstacle to Turkey-PKK peace, Turkish officials say
Kurdish-led SDF says armed group attacks Islamic State prison as Syrian forces tighten grip
Syria tightens grip after Kurdish pullback, says IS prisoners escape
Turkey’s Kurdish party says Syria deal leaves Ankara ‘no excuses’ on peace process
Kurdish Rudaw website reports around 1500 Islamic State members escaped from Syria’s Shaddadi prison
Syria says 120 Islamic State detainees escaped prison; Kurdish website said 1,500 escaped
Syria says 120 Islamic State detainees escaped prison; Kurdish website said 1,500 escaped
Who are Syria’s Kurdish-led fighters and what did they agree to with Damascus?
About 1,500 Islamic State prisoners escape amid clashes between Syrian army and SDF
US estimates 200 Islamic State fighters escaped Syrian prison, US official says
Pro-Kurd demonstrators and police clash near Turkey–Syria border
Government forces press advance in northeast Syria, Kurds vow to resist