• Syrian Army claims control over al-Shaddadi after ISIL fighters escape during clashes.
• Approximately 1,500 ISIL militants reportedly escaped from the prison, raising security concerns.
• Ceasefire agreed between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led SDF now appears to be unraveling.

The Syrian Army has regained control over the city of al-Shaddadi and its prison after clashes led to the escape of approximately 1,500 Islamic State (ISIL) fighters, according to reports from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and various media sources. The Syrian government imposed a curfew in the area and is conducting search operations to recapture the escaped detainees, who were held in a prison now reportedly under Syrian military control, as stated by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) and Al Jazeera.

The escape occurred shortly after a significant ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF was announced, designed to integrate the SDF into state institutions. This development has now raised concerns about the security implications of the prison break, which the Syrian Interior Ministry labeled a “serious security breach”, threatening regional stability, according to reports from AA and AA.

In the aftermath of the security breach, the Syrian Army blamed the SDF for the release of the ISIL detainees, asserting their responsibility for any escapes from facilities under their control. The SDF has since disputed these claims, emphasizing that they lost control of the prison amid military attacks from the Syrian forces, as indicated by statements from both sides, noted by South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

The clashes surrounding the prison and the resulting escape have led to additional fighting, with reports confirming that nine SDF members were killed and over twenty others wounded in the associated skirmishes. The situation has prompted urgent calls for mobilization within the SDF, as they urge their community to resist, drawing from historical references to previous conflicts, according to South China Morning Post.

As the Syrian government seeks to consolidate control, it has made clear its intent to secure all detention facilities and prevent further breaches, highlighting the need for international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. The government has also warned the SDF against using terrorist cases for political leverage, emphasizing its readiness to assume full responsibility for maintaining security in the region, according to AA, AA, and South China Morning Post.