ISIS is defeated in an attack to free its comrades imprisoned in a Syrian prison. After this attack, 121 of the SDF, 374 suspected members of the Islamic State and four civilians were killed in the war that lasted for 10 years. Islamic State militants announced their most brutal attack with a bombing of a truck. In order to free their comrades from the Syrian prison, the terrorists blew up its outer wall, due to which thousands of terrorists imprisoned here managed to escape.
The attack triggered a 10-day fighting that spread to the surrounding streets of Hasakah in northeastern Syria, prompting American and British ground and air forces to support their local allies. Islamic State also activated its global supporters.
The SDF reported that by the time the fighting ended and the ravaged prison returned to the hands of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, more than 500 people had been killed, about three-quarters of whom were suspected militants. Hundreds of prisoners had fled, free to raise the Islamic State black flag and fight again.
Know sequentially what happened when-
- Thursday January 20: Terrorists surround Ghawarian prison, which houses more than 3,000 Islamic State suspects and about 700 teenage boys, after a truck bombing.
- Friday 21 January: The clash quickly spread to many nearby areas. The SDF alleged that the clashes allegedly damaged power lines in the city.
- Saturday 22 January: On the third day of fighting, American and British forces deploy Bradley Fighting Vehicles to reinforce the SDF’s efforts. The US-led coalition launched airstrikes with Hellfire missiles and larger weapons. Apache attack helicopters raided terrorist hideouts.
- Sunday 23 January: By Sunday, fierce fighting was concentrated in the southern and northern wing of the prison. The SDF troops were finding it difficult to advance. There was heavy loss on both sides.
- Monday 24 January: Coalition F-16 jets resume airstrikes, eliminate Islamic State positions around the prison and help Kurdish-led special forces advance, SDF reports. With support under fire from the Coalition’s Bradley Fighting Vehicles, SDF soldiers try to raid terrorist targets inside the prison.
- Tuesday 25 January: SDF tanks and armored vehicles enter the prison complex and a fierce battle ensues with Islamic State militants armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles. As of day Dhala the Kurdish-led army announced that it had captured a block of prison buildings.
- Wednesday 26 January: Apache helicopter circles and gunfire stops. Teams of doctors entered the jail to treat the injured terrorists and other prisoners. Several guards were released. SDF started talks with the final holdout. By noon, rumors were swirling that the fight was over. Then SDF spokesman Farhad Shami confirmed this: “The People’s Hammer Operation in Al-Hasaka has surrendered our entire control of the Al-Sina prison and all terrorists.
- Thursday 27 January: By noon the SDF statement came that 90 terrorists are still hiding in the basement under the north wing. On the streets around the prison, SDF fighters take on the attackers hiding in the prison
- Friday 28 January: SDF gives ultimatum to terrorists – Surrender or face an all-out attack. As the Kurdish-led forces clearly defeated Islamic State fighters and other prisoners, giving them a chance to escape alive.
- Saturday 29 January: Residents of Ghawaryan and Johor districts near the jail have been left without access to drinking water, bread, fuel and medical care. SDF jawans have continued to conduct raids across the city.
- Sunday 30 January: SDF officials say the war is finally over. The prison is back under control and the guns have gone silent in the surrounding areas. The SDF announced: “We announce the end of the sweep operation at Sina Jail in the Ghwarian neighborhood of Hasakah. 121 SDF members, 374 suspected Islamic State members and four civilians were killed. Officials will not provide figures on the number of prisoners unaccounted for.”
