Deadly fire in Syria prison: nine inmates killed, 17 wounded | Documentation

A deadly fire broke out at the central prison in the city of Ain al-Arab (Kobani) in northern Syria, killing nine inmates and wounding 17 others. The fire erupted during an inmate riot protesting their transfer to prisons in Aleppo. The incident occurs amid security tensions in the city following the kidnapping and murder of a former fighter with the Syrian Democratic Forces.

A deadly fire broke out today (Saturday) at the central prison in the city of Ain al-Arab, Kobani, in eastern Aleppo province in northern Syria. Nine inmates were killed and 17 others were wounded, some seriously from burns and smoke inhalation. According to a report by Al-Hadath channel, the fire erupted during an inmate riot after they learned that authorities intended to transfer some prisoners to prisons in the city of Aleppo. The inmates barricaded themselves in wings and set fire to living cells, and the flames spread quickly. The incident occurs amid security tensions in Kobani, following the kidnapping and murder of Sami Sheikh Hamous Hassou, known as "Siban," a former fighter with the Syrian Democratic Forces. According to local reports, Hassou was killed as part of a tribal blood feud, after being accused of involvement in the killing of two young men at a Kurdish checkpoint about two years ago. The murder led to protests that escalated into riots and clashes with security forces, during which stones were thrown, vehicles were attacked, and buildings were set on fire. The tensions spread into the prison, which is still managed by members of the previous mechanism affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the Interior Ministry in Damascus has not yet taken full control of the facility. A local organization representing families in Kobani called for the establishment of an independent and transparent investigative committee.