Inside the Islamic State prisons the west is trying to forget
Mar 7, 2025
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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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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.
The Rising Threat of ISIS
The remnants of Islamic State continue to pose a threat in the region, with reports of recent attacks indicating a resurgence of activities despite the group's previous territorial losses. The Kurdish journalist Badr Khan highlighted the dangers posed by sleeper cells operating in the expansive Syrian desert, making it challenging to tackle the remaining IS fighters. The existing conditions not only highlight the urgency of addressing the situation but also underline the ideological persistence of IS among the detainees and their families, suggesting a generational transmission of extremist beliefs. As ISIS sleeper cells remain active, the risk of further violence and escape from prison facilities looms large.
Future Generations in Limbo
Young boys, many of whom were raised in Islamic State territory, face a future filled with uncertainty as they transition from childhood to adolescence within rehabilitation centers like Orkesh. These facilities aim to provide education and help steer them away from extremist ideologies but leave these children with no clear path to reintegration into society. Hamza, a former IS driver, articulated the profound struggle of being trapped in a cycle of trauma and unfulfilled expectations for freedom. The reality for these boys underscores the critical, yet often overlooked, challenge of addressing the long-term implications of war and extremism on the next generation.
Michael Safi travelled to north-east Syria to speak to IS foreign fighters imprisoned there. And discovered that a change in the US administration, and USAid funding cuts, means there is a growing fear of prison breaks. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
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