The standoff follows a bold assault by the extremists that breached the premises of Gweiran Prison, allowed an unknown number of militants to escape and hold hostages. At least 27 U.S.-backed fighters of the Kurdish-led force were killed.
More than 3,000 suspected ISIS militants, including over 600 minors, are held in Gweiran, the largest of a dozen detention facilities in Syria housing militants. "While it is militarily defeated, Daesh remains an existential threat to the region," said Maj. Gen. John Brennan, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS. "Due to its severely degraded capability, Daesh's future survival is dependent on its ability to refill its ranks through poorly-conceived attempts" like the prison attack.
Between 150 and 200 militants were believed holed up in the northern wing of the prison and adjacent residential area, including Zuhour neighborhood which was cordoned off by security forces, Ali added. In the ambitious assault, more than 100 militants armed with heavy machine guns and vehicles rigged with explosives attacked the facility aiming to free their comrades. They detonated a car bomb at a petroleum warehouse nearby, creating a diversion and leaving fire and smoke in the air for two days.
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