At least seven inmates have died after a fire broke out during a prison riot in the predominantly Kurdish city of Kobani in northern Syria, state media reported on Saturday.
The unrest followed protests over the killing of Sami Shehmous Hiso, a former Kurdish fighter whose body was returned with gunshot wounds on Thursday.
Fire spreads through prison dormitories
“Seven prisoners died and dozens were injured, burned or suffocated following the riot,” state television reported.
It said inmates set fire to the prison building, with the flames spreading to several dormitories.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a higher death toll of nine prisoners.
According to the Observatory, the deployment of security forces around the prison prompted some inmates to fear they would be transferred elsewhere. Panic then broke out, and prisoners set fire to several dormitories.
Protests follow killing of former Kurdish fighter
Hiso, also known as Sipan, was reportedly abducted before his body was returned with gunshot wounds in the northeastern province of Hasakah.
Hasakah Governor Noureddine Ahmed Aissa condemned what he described as “the heinous crime”.
Sipan Hamo, a regional assistant defence minister and former senior Kurdish military official, said several people had already been arrested in connection with the case. He urged residents to “show patience and restraint”.
Kurds gathered in several parts of northern and northeastern Syria to protest against the killing.
State television said that during Friday’s unrest, “outlaws” attacked patrol vehicles and the Internal Security Directorate building. Security forces were subsequently deployed in the area.
First incident since SDF dissolution
In January, the Syrian government and Kurdish authorities, who once controlled parts of northern and northeastern Syria, reached an integration agreement following clashes in which the Kurds lost territory.
Last month, Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi said the integration of Kurdish political and military institutions into the Syrian state had been completed. The dissolution of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces was announced several days later.
The prison riot was the first such incident since the SDF’s dissolution was announced.
Kobani holds deep symbolic importance for the Kurds. Kurdish fighters repelled and defeated Islamic State militants there in 2015.
Source: CNA
