Formerly US-backed Kurds blame peace talk breakdown for ISIS prisoner escape

Published January 20, 2026 6:32pm ET



The Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led coalition once backed by the United States, has blamed a reported prison break on the breakdown in peace talks with Syria’s transitional government for a reported prison break involving ISIS fighters.

At least 120 ISIS prisoners escaped prisons in SDF territory on Monday. Just over 80 prisoners were recaptured, but the incident forced the SDF to withdraw amid intensified fighting with government forces.

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