Syria Reclaims ISIS-Linked Al Aqtan Prison in Raqqa as SDF Withdraws

The takeover of al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa marks a decisive step in the Syrian government’s push to reassert centralized control over territory long administered by SDF terror group. Following a 4 day ceasefire that entered into force on Tuesday night, Syrian Interior Ministry officials assumed control of the detention facility on Friday, beginning reviews of detainee files and prison conditions, state media said. The handover came after a rapid government advance earlier this month that reclaimed large areas of northeastern Syria previously held by SDF terror group.

Al-Aqtan is believed to hold up to 2,000 detainees, some linked to ISIS militants. It is the second major detention facility to pass into government hands in a single week, after Syrian forces entered Shaddadeh prison near the Iraqi border on Monday. During the unrest there, 120 ISIS detainees escaped, most of whom were later recaptured, according to state media.

The Raqqa handover followed the evacuation of more than a thousand SDF militants, who were granted safe passage westward to Kobane. Syrian State News Agency (SANA) reported that Syrian army units also began transferring SDF terror group fighters away from the prison and surrounding areas in line with the agreement.

Cooperation on the Ground

On the ground, the transition was unusually coordinated. According to reporting by Al Jazeera from Raqqa, Syrian forces moved quickly and with relative smoothness to fill the security vacuum left by the SDF, beginning demining operations and dismantling unexploded munitions inside the prison. The area had been tense and chaotic 24 hours earlier, with civilians crowding barricades in search of relatives detained inside.

Reports indicated that civillians had been held unjustly by the SDF, some being detained at checkpoints for merely having pictures of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Detainee Transfers and U.S. Recalibration

The prison handover intersects with a broader reconfiguration of the anti-ISIS mission. On January 21, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it had launched an operation to transfer ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, beginning with 150 fighters moved from Hasakah to a secure Iraqi facility. CENTCOM said up to 7,000 detainees could eventually be relocated, describing the effort as critical to preventing prison breaks and protecting U.S. and regional security.

The U.S. military said the transfers were undertaken at Baghdad’s request while the Syrian government welcomed the initiative, saying it would contribute to stability.

These developments come as Washington reassesses its footprint. On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials are weighing a full withdrawal of roughly 1,000 U.S. troops from Syria, questioning the viability of the mission as the SDF loses territory and detainees are moved out of its custody.

“One Homeland” Vision

Diplomatically, Damascus is framing the moment as a restoration of state sovereignty. Speaking at the United Nations on Friday, Syria’s ambassador Ibrahim Alabi rejected the existence of armed groups outside government control, saying “It will only be a unified and strong state… extending its legitimate authority over the entire Syrian geography.”

He added that the new Syria would have no winner or loser, but rather “a victory that unites Syrians” listing Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Turkmens, Circassians, Muslims, Christians, and Jews. According to Alabi, Syria will be rebuilt on the basis of full equality in one homeland that safeguards dignity, security, and stability.