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.
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A British Prisoner's Story
- Michael Safi interviews Mohammed Saqib Raza, a British prisoner in a Syrian prison.
- Raza claims he was tricked into working for Islamic State.
Forgotten Prisons, Resurging Threat
- The prisons holding alleged ISIS members are isolated and largely forgotten.
- However, the resurgence of ISIS attacks raises concerns about potential prison breaks.
Journey to the Prisons
- Reaching the prisons involves a difficult journey through the Syrian desert, a no-man's land.
- ISIS sleeper cells are reportedly hiding there, using solar panels.