Clashes continue in the northeastern Syrian city of al-Hasakah despite repeated claims by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that ISIS’ large attack on Geweran prison has been repelled.

ISIS terrorists attacked the SDF-run prison, which is located in the southern part of the city, late on January 20 with the aim of freeing their comrades. During the attack, the terrorists detonated a car bomb and a booby-trapped motorcycle at the prison’s main gate. They also blew up a number of nearby fuel tankers and tanks.

The terrorists managed to breach SDF defenses, freeing some of the prison’s 5,000 Syrian and foreign inmates. However, the fast reaction of the SDF and the air support of the US-led coalition prevented the terrorists from fleeing the city.

By January 21 morning, most of the attackers and the escapees were holding up at a number of apartment buildings in the vicinity of Geweran prison and in the nearby al-Zuhur neighborhood.

The SDF imposed a curfew in al-Hasakah city. Despite this, thousands of the locals fled to the city’s “security zone” which is held by Syrian government forces.

Source: South Front