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Today in Focus

Inside the Islamic State prisons the west is trying to forget

Mar 7, 2025
A journalist uncovers the grim realities inside Islamic State prisons in northeastern Syria. Interviews with former fighters reveal a growing fear of prison breaks amid shifting US policies. The precarious situation in Hasakah exposes the ideological threats still brewing. Personal stories highlight the trauma faced by detainees, including a captured surgeon's harrowing journey. Additionally, the struggles of a young man left behind illustrate the desperate need for rehabilitation in a war-torn environment.
36:52

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Quick takeaways

  • The isolated conditions of IS prisoners in Syria foster feelings of abandonment and fear of being forgotten by their home countries.
  • Young boys raised in Islamic State territory face significant challenges in rehabilitation centers, lacking clear paths for reintegration into society.

Deep dives

Inside the Forgotten Prisons

Prisons in northeastern Syria hold over 4,000 men accused of being affiliated with the Islamic State, yet many prisoners remain unaware of significant global events, such as the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The prisoners are kept in isolated conditions, leading to feelings of abandonment, as exemplified by a detainee named Mohammed, who has been imprisoned for over seven years. Despite their claims of innocence and attempts to share their personal stories, many fear they are forgotten in a 'black hole' without acknowledgment from their home countries. The Kurdish authorities managing the prisons are under pressure to either repatriate the detainees or face the risk of them escaping should US military support dwindle.

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