Raqqa: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced today, Monday, that fierce battles have erupted around one of the most important prisons belonging to ISIS in Raqqa province, northern Syria.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Syrian Army said in an official statement that “clashes are taking place between its forces and Kurdish forces belonging to what is known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by elements of the former regime, in an attempt to obstruct the ceasefire agreement that was recently announced between the two sides.”

The statement added that “two operations targeting the forces deployed in the area resulted in the death of three soldiers and the injury of others,” noting that military operations are still ongoing around al-Aqtan prison, which houses a number of ISIS detainees.

For its part, the SDF confirmed in a statement that “fierce clashes broke out with the Syrian army in the vicinity of al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa, despite the ceasefire agreement,” considering this escalation a dangerous development for the security situation, and noting that confrontations are still ongoing in several areas despite the declared truce.

Amid these developments on the ground, Raqqa province is witnessing escalating security tensions following days of clashes and military movements, while the SDF warned of the potential risk of ISIS members detained in prisons escalating as a result of the intensified fighting in the surrounding areas.