More than 500 died during reclaiming of ISIS territory in Syria
- Approximately 500 individuals have died during the reclaiming of territory from ISIS, including militants and guards.
- Prisoners from over 80 countries have been incarcerated for around six years following their capture.
- International assistance is urgently needed to put these detainees on trial or facilitate their repatriation.
In the wake of the Islamic State's rise and subsequent fall, chaos ensued in Syria and Iraq, leaving behind prisoners from many countries. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the coalition forces have controlled these areas since reclaiming them from ISIS, but many prisoners remain in detention for approximately six years without trial. The detainees, locked up under accusations of being Islamic State fighters, feel forgotten, with many insisting they are no longer a threat. Reports from inside the prisons indicate deteriorating conditions, including health concerns like tuberculosis. Prisoners like Khaled Shahadeh express frustration, stating that they have been left in limbo with no means of appealing their situations. The majority of prisoners feel abandoned by their home countries, which are reluctant to accept them back despite the critical needs for accountability and resolution of this issue. The children of inmates often display hostility toward outsiders, reflecting the ongoing tensions in these environments. The SDF has called for international assistance to trial or repatriate detainees, stressing that their management of the situation is becoming increasingly untenable. They argue that the lack of support from international partners, like the United States, France, and Britain, is a significant hindrance to resolving the broader question of how to address the defeated ISIS issue responsibly while preventing any resurgence of the extremist group.