IS militants holed up in Syria prison on 4th day of clashes

By SARAH EL DEEB
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Clashes between U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters and militants have continued for a fourth day near a prison in northeastern Syria that houses thousands of members of the Islamic State group. The standoff followed a bold assault by the extremists who broke into Gweiran Prison, enabling an unknown number of militants to escape and hold hostages. At least 27 U.S.-backed fighters of the Kurdish-led force were killed. The U.S-led coalition said the Kurdish-led forces had contained the threat. But several dozen militants remained holed up. More than 600 detainees at the prison are minors. The U.N. children’s agency called for their release, warning that violence may spread to other prisons or in camps holding families and children of suspected IS members in Syria.