Listen to this articleKurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters withdraw from al-Aqtan prison on the outskirts of the northeastern city of Raqa, on Jan 23, 2026. Two former employees at the Al-Hol desert camp told AFP on Friday that some of its residents had escaped during an hours-long security vacuum. Some camp residents fled during the “security vacuum” between when the SDF withdrew and the army took control, they said, without providing a number. On Friday, Syria transferred Kurdish fighters away from the Al-Aqtan prison on the outskirts of Raqa city. A government source told state television that around 800 SDF fighters were to leave, while IS detainees would be managed “according to Syrian law”.

Source: Bangkok Post January 23, 2026 15:20 UTC