Syrian government forces have taken control of al-Aqtan prison in the northeastern city of Raqqa, marking a significant development in an ongoing ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
The takeover follows the withdrawal of SDF fighters from the facility under a four-day truce that came into effect earlier this week after rapid territorial advances by government troops.
The prison houses detainees linked to ISIL, and its handover comes amid broader negotiations over security, governance, and the future integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian state.
The Interior Ministry said officials from the Prisons and Correctional Facilities Administration assumed control of al-Aqtan prison on Friday and began reviewing detainees’ conditions and records.
Convoys carrying more than 1,000 SDF personnel were seen leaving Raqqa with safe passage toward Kobane under the terms of the ceasefire.
Syrian army units also began transferring remaining SDF elements from the prison and its surroundings to Ain al-Arab, east of Aleppo.
Reporting from Raqqa, Al Jazeera journalists described a rapid filling of the security vacuum, with government teams demining the prison and removing weapons left behind.
The handover followed days of tension, including clashes near the prison and chaotic scenes as civilians gathered outside seeking information about detained relatives.
Some families said they believed relatives had been unjustly detained during SDF control, adding pressure on authorities to clarify detainee cases.
The situation was reported as calm by Friday after gunfire and unrest earlier in the week.
The prison transfer is part of a wider agreement stipulating that the government would assume control of SDF-run prisons and camps holding ISIL-linked detainees.
Officials said the negotiations over al-Aqtan were a positive sign that a broader truce could hold ahead of a looming deadline for SDF integration plans.
Despite diplomatic efforts led by the United States and France, both sides have increased military preparations around remaining Kurdish-held areas.
U.S. aircraft have also been involved in transferring ISIL detainees from northeast Syria to Iraq amid concerns over prison security.
Analysts warned that while talks continue, unresolved issues over governance, weapons, and minority rights could still threaten the ceasefire.
Developments in the northeast are being closely watched across Syria, as they carry implications for the country’s future political structure and stability.