Hundreds of children held by IS in besieged prison in Syria

[muriel_volestrangler]

Nearly 850 children are inside Ghwayran prison in Hasaka, which was stormed by Islamic State (IS) group fighters on Thursday, triggering days of battles.

At least 136 people have been killed since the jihadists launched their assault to try to free jailed fighters.
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Relatives of children held at the prison say they have been detained without proper evidence and for resisting forced conscription into the SDF, AFP news agency reported.

IS had a strategy of forcibly recruiting children, including those they abducted, and training them to carry out suicide bombings or kill prisoners. The children, dubbed Cubs of the Caliphate by IS, are held along with thousands of IS fighters from more than 50 countries in Kurdish-run prisons in north-eastern Syria.

The overcrowded site at Ghwayran housed 3,500 suspected IS members including some of its leaders, according to the SOHR.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-60091586

A complicated situation. It includes coalition air strikes.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. IS militants surrender as Kurdish-led forces surround Syria prison

Kurdish-led forces in Syria say another 250 militants have surrendered as they work to clear the last part of a prison seized by the Islamic State (IS) group.

At least 300 handed themselves in on Monday as Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commandos moved into the facility in the north-eastern city of Hasaka.

Dozens are still thought to be holed up inside, along with guards held as hostages and several hundred children.
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The UN says up to 45,000 residents of Hasaka have also fled their homes to escape the clashes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-60130389