The death toll from ISIS’ ongoing attack on Geweran prison in the northeastern Syrian city of al-Hasakah has risen to 136, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on January 23.

ISIS cells attacked the prison, which is run by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), late on January 20 to free hundreds of their comrades. However, they ended up capturing the prison and several nearby areas in the southern part of al-Hasakah city.

According to the London-based monitoring group, the battle in al-Hasakah city has so far claimed the lives of 84 ISIS terrorists, seven civilians and 45 personnel of the SDF and its security forces.

ISIS’ news agency, Amaq, shared horrifying footage showing the first hours of the attack, around a dozen dead SDF fighters and some two dozen others who were captured alive on January 22. The next day the agency revealed the details of its attack on the prison and shared a new video showing four hostages from the SDF.

As of January 23 afternoon, clashes are still ongoing inside and around Geweran prison. The SDF made some progress thanks to the US-led coalition’s fire support. ISIS terrorists were reportedly given a finally warning to surrender. This will not likely happen, however.

The battle has displaced thousands of families who are now taking refuge in the government-held “security zone” in al-Hasakah’s center as well as in the northern districts of the city. The terrorists holding up at Geweran prison and nearby areas have reportedly vowed to fight the SDF until death, thus the battle may go on for several more days.

Source: South Front