Kurdish forces say 300 ISIS members surrendered after Syrian prison raid


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Kurdish-led forces said they had forced at least 300 militants to surrender after a deadly ISIS raid on the Ghwayran prison in Syria’s north-eastern city of Hassakeh.

Syrian Democratic Forces spokesman Farhad Shami said the operation was going “as planned”.

On Monday, the SDF again called for ISIS members holed up in the detention complex to surrender.

“We know that you have an internet connection and see your setbacks. We know that your leaders use you as firewood to get warm,” the SDF media centre wrote in a post aimed at the ISIS militants.

“We inform you that your leaders are negotiating with us to secure a way out, leaving you to death.”

The city was locked down on Monday to trap the ISIS fighters, as the death toll from the fighting grew to more than 150.

The SDF said ISIS was using hundreds of children as human shields.

The UN says more than 45,000 residents in Hassakeh have fled the fighting as it enters a fifth day.

US soldiers gather in an area near the Ghwayran prison in Hassakeh on Monday. AFP
US soldiers gather in an area near the Ghwayran prison in Hassakeh on Monday. AFP

Unicef, the UN children's agency, called for the protection of about 850 minors detained inside the jail, some as young as 12. The agency said they could be “harmed or forcibly recruited” by ISIS.

ISIS claims to have killed and injured several SDF members.

The prison is the largest used by the SDF to holds suspected militants and other detainees in what aid groups say are overcrowded and inhumane conditions.

Human Rights Watch says the SDF holds a total of about 12,000 men and boys suspected of ISIS affiliation, including 2,000 to 4,000 foreigners from almost 50 countries.

Elders say support for ISIS has grown with rising local resentment against the Kurdish-led administration they accuse of discriminating against the majority Arab population it rules, many of whom reject its policy of forcible conscription.

The Syrian Kurdish forces deny the accusations and say their rule redresses injustices as an oppressed minority during decades of Arab nationalist rule from Damascus.

Healthy tips to remember

Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:

Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast

Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits

Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day

Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet

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Updated: January 25, 2022, 2:07 PM`