Thread by @smmsyria

Where does #SDF keep captured #ISIS terrorists and their families?

This thread will explore SDF detention facilities in northern Syria that have been running well beyond their capacity after an influx of surrendered #ISIS fighters.

The main six prisons are located in #Hasaka province and contain around 2700 people, the major part being male #ISIS terrorists. Fighters and their families enjoy some minor perks compared to other inmates such as members of SDF detained for dereliction of duty, corruption, etc.

There's more to these perks, it will be covered later in the thread.

Let's start with a list of prisons (in no particular order):
1. Al Malikiya prison
350 male prisoners
goo.gl/maps/PhL5AmkHt…

2. Alaa prison in #Qamishli city
1200 prisoners including fighters and families
goo.gl/maps/ZBKEiNc9e…

3. Hemo prison
located close to #YPG training camp
350 male prisoners
goo.gl/maps/LRDhLQg3Y…

4. Hasaka prison
located in the Central Prison building
250 male prisoners
goo.gl/maps/H8mZhDJP2…

5. Al Ahdath prison
400 male prisoners
goo.gl/maps/62bd9dJG6…

6. Al Hawl prison
fighters and families, around 100 prisoners in total
goo.gl/maps/SLRB4Z22D…

These numbers are approximate and should be higher now after many #ISIS terrorists surrendered to #SDF in #Baghuz.

Every prison has cells, interrogation rooms, visiting rooms and recreational spaces. Each cell usually hosts around five prisoners and has a TV and a bathroom.

There are also solitary confinement cells for notorious terrorists, dangerous individuals and those who require special treatment. Each facility is guarded by Asayish and/or YAT members with their numbers up to 100 guards in a single prison.

Captured fighters along with their wives and children enjoy some privileges: they are fed four decent (better than average) meals a day, are not obliged to work, are allowed to receive a visitor once a week, make a phone call twice a week and roam freely in recreational spaces.

Why all this perks? Well, there is a catch. #SDF intelligence systematically pick inmates that are considered valuable assets to convince them to act as informers and/or mediators. Some also express desire to join the SDF.

By the way, if you suspect that some people pretended to be #ISIS just for perks, you might be right.

Anyway, this is where things are getting interesting. After an inmate gives initial agreement for cooperation and proves himself valuable, he is (more often than not) contacted by US intelligence members who take his faith in their hands from there on.

Such individuals may be tasked with returning to their units, should they still exist, or joining other groups to gather information and relay it to the US intelligence.