Islamic State's Resurgence: Life in Syrian Prisons and Camps

Thu Oct 30 2025 23:01:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An in-depth look at the rise of ISIS activity in Syria amidst ongoing tensions and the conditions facing detainees, both militants and their families in Kurdish-controlled areas.

Despite the military defeat of the Islamic State, the group is regrouping in Syria, leading to increased attacks and an alarming rise in recruitment. Jails like al-Sina are overcrowded with suspects and conditions are dire for both fighters and their families, highlighting the complexities of justice and rehabilitation in the region.

In the complex mosaic of the new Syria, the old battle against the group calling itself Islamic State (IS) continues in the Kurdish-controlled north-east. It's a conflict that has slipped from the headlines - with bigger wars elsewhere.

Kurdish counter-terrorism officials have told the BBC that IS cells in Syria are regrouping and increasing their attacks.

There has been a notable increase in the number of attacks, with the Kurdish militia, the People's Protection Units (YPG), reporting a ten-fold rise in ISIS violence. As the group exploits the security vacuum left by the regime's collapse, young fighters like Walid Abdul-Basit Sheikh Mousa are taking up arms against IS.

Tragically, Walid was killed in combat just weeks after purchasing his first motorbike, and his family recounts the deep pain of loss and calls for revenge against the group, expressing fears over the potential resurgence of IS.

Additionally, the Kurdish authorities are overwhelmed by the number of suspected IS militants in their custody. Approximately 8,000 individuals, including fighters from around the world, are being held in various prisons without trial, reflecting a wider crisis of justice and security in the region.

Conditions in the largest IS prison, al-Sina, are grim, with prisoners suffering from health issues in cramped, unsanitary conditions. Reports indicate that despite imprisonment, IS is maintaining a hierarchical structure, with detainee leaders still exerting influence and control.

The plight of families associated with IS is equally troubling, as they reside in tented camps under harsh conditions. Women and children lack basic needs, and many express a desire to return to their home countries, often facing obstacles from their governments.

Humanitarian concerns continue to rise, with children growing up in environments rife with extremist ideologies. The ongoing danger of a new generation indoctrinated by IS poses profound challenges for the future.

This multifaceted crisis reflects the ongoing battle against extremist ideologies compounded by the humanitarian failures of detention policies and the dire need for comprehensive strategies to address both security and human rights in Syria.