Syria: Almost 500 dead in clashes between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Islamic State militants in Hasakah
Kurdish-led forces in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah said on Monday that last week’s clashes at a detention centre costs the lives of just under 500 people, including four civilians, 77 prison staff and 374 prisoners.
Announcing the death toll at a press conference on Monday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that the heavy fighting since Islamic State group (IS) militants first attacked the prison in the Ghwayran neighbourhood had seen them lose 40 fighters.
“We thank our people in Hasakah for their vigilance and spirit of sacrifice, and we also thank them for their help and their honourable standing with their forces,” said an SDF spokesperson.
“We also say to our people in north and east Syria that it has become necessary to show more caution and vigilance towards all attacks by IS and others as well, and that they must organise themselves stronger, and defend their neighbourhoods, villages and homes.”