The release of children from the al-Aqtan prison, formerly controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Raqqa countryside, has ignited widespread condemnation. Following the Syrian Army’s assumption of control over the facility, disturbing scenes of children allegedly detained by the SDF have emerged, fueling accusations of human rights violations.
Reports indicate that 126 individuals, all minors under the age of 18, were released from al-Aqtan prison. Families have reportedly flocked to the prison gates, desperately seeking to reunite with their children. Eyewitness accounts from some of the released children paint a grim picture of their alleged treatment during their time in SDF custody.
One child recounted alleged instances of torture, stating, “They tortured us with electricity.” A photograph of this same child, reportedly celebrating his release from the prison, has gone viral, becoming a symbol of freedom for many on social media. The image has drawn strong reactions from Syrian officials and commentators alike.
A media advisor to the Syrian presidency, Ahmed Zeidan, described the situation as a “complete scandal” perpetrated by groups allegedly acting outside the bounds of law and humanity. He questioned the justification for detaining minors, asking, “By what right is the innocence of children abducted and imprisoned? This is what happened in SDF prisons.”
Many Syrians have expressed shock and disbelief at the presence of children in SDF detention. One social media user wrote, “126 children… 126 open wounds in the hearts of mothers and fathers. Underage children emerged from al-Aqtan prison, the prison of the so-called SDF, barefoot, almost naked, starving, and with terrified eyes carrying the memory of oppression and fear of the unknown.”
Critics argue that this is not an isolated incident but a grave crime, masked by false claims of democracy and human rights. Some commentators have drawn parallels to alleged past abuses, stating that there is no difference between one oppressor and another when the victim is a child. They assert that any entity that imprisons children is a terrorist organization, regardless of its attempts to improve its image or cloak itself in deceptive slogans.
DZWatch continues to investigate these allegations and will provide further updates as they become available.
