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Syria's Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday the recapture of 81 out of 120 Daesh detainees released by the YPG/SDF terrorist group from al-Shaddadi prison in northeastern Hasakah province.
"Following the escape of 120 Daesh terrorists from the prison in al-Shaddadi, the Syrian Army and special operations units affiliated with the Interior Ministry entered the city of al-Shaddadi," the ministry said in a statement.
"Army and Interior Ministry forces conducted a comprehensive search and sweep operation in and around the city of al-Shaddadi. During the operation, 81 Daesh terrorists were apprehended. The search for the remaining Daesh members continues," the ministry added.
Syria's Interior Ministry also stated on Monday that the YPG/SDF group's release of Daesh detainees constitutes a "serious security breach" threatening Syrian, regional and international security.
"We hold the SDF fully responsible for any escapes or releases of Daesh elements from prisons under their control," the ministry said.
The Syrian Army said it contacted mediators and the SDF "to hand over the al-Shaddadi prison to the internal security forces to secure it and its surroundings, but the SDF leadership rejected this and continues to do so until this moment."
The ministry announced its readiness "for direct coordination with the U.S. side, within the framework of joint efforts to prevent the return of terrorism and ensure the security and stability of the region."
A "special joint force from the Special Tasks Department and the Prison Administration has been prepared" to take over and secure the prison's perimeter and internal management, the ministry said.
The Syrian government called it "categorically rejects any attempt to use the terrorism file as a tool of political or security blackmail."
It accused the so-called "Autonomous Administration," the governing arm of the SDF, of "political exploitation of the terrorism card and of security pressure and blackmail."
Damascus called efforts to link law-enforcement measures and the restoration of state authority to the risk of activating terrorist cells "a blatant attempt to distort facts and inflame conflict in order to preserve an authority imposed by force."
The government warned the SDF against "any reckless steps that could facilitate the escape of Daesh detainees or the opening of prisons as a means of political pressure."
"Any security breach in these prisons will be the direct responsibility of the party currently controlling them," the government said.
Syria's Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs Maj. Gen. Abdel-Qader Tahhan said authorities will review the cases of all detainees held in prisons recently taken over from the SDF.
"These prisons hold Daesh elements, as well as other detainees. Our immediate priority is to secure these facilities, prevent any escape attempts and ensure full control," Tahhan told reporters in Raqqa.
Once the transfer of prisons is completed, authorities will launch a comprehensive review of all detainee files in coordination with the Justice Ministry and Interior Ministry in Damascus.
"There may be individuals with no connection whatsoever to Daesh. Some cases could involve criminal offenses that will be referred to the courts. All detainees will be treated in accordance with the same legal procedures applied elsewhere in the country," Tahhan said.
Government security forces have been deployed across northern Raqqa and eastern Deir ez-Zor provinces to maintain public order, protect civilian property and prevent security breakdown following the territory handover.
Türkiye's Center for Combating Disinformation rejected claims that Daesh terrorists were released by the Syrian army with Turkish support.
"It is a well-known and indisputable fact that Türkiye is the country that has carried out the strongest fight against Daesh in the region and has dealt the most significant blows to the Daesh terrorist organization to date," the center said.
Pro-SDF websites claimed 1,500 Daesh members escaped, while Syrian authorities confirmed the figure at 120.
The developments came after Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced Sunday a ceasefire and agreement for the full integration of the SDF into state institutions. Under the deal, the SDF will withdraw its military formations east of the Euphrates River and hand over administrative and security control of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor provinces to the Syrian state.
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