Video Channel 4: Syrian army and Kurdish-led SDF clash near ISIS prison despite ceasefire, some prisoners are reported to have escaped.

2026-01-20

Syrian army and Kurdish-led SDF clash near ISIS prison despite ceasefire

By Channel 4, January 19, 2026

Syria's army and Kurdish SDF forces have clashed near two prisons, housing members of the Islamic State group in northeast Syria. Some prisoners are reported to have escaped. It comes just a day after the two sides reached a ceasefire deal to end days of fighting, during which the government captured large areas of the northeast from the SDF. Under the deal, the Kurds were supposed to hand control of two provinces to the government and fully integrate their fighters into the army.