In a written statement, the General Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria remarked that the attack carried out against the prison in Heseke on 20 January mainly aimed at “taking Heseke under control and opening a corridor between Hol Camp and Til Temir for terrorists”.

The statement added: “The Turkish state is targeting North and East Syrian people and lands because it wants to expand its invasion. Its plan has been exposed once again. Through ISIS mercenaries, the Turkish state intends to disrupt the security in the region and eliminate the Democratic Nation project implemented by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.”

The statement continued: “This time, they trained the mercenaries at special bases in Serekaniye and Gire Spi, and made them attack Sina Prison where nearly 5 thousand ISIS mercenaries are held. The Damascus government, which failed to defend Syrian borders, aims to take Heseke under control by opening a corridor between Til Temir and Hol Camp, in the area stretching to Iraq, for terrorists. This intervention is contrary to international law and the sovereign rights of a country. However, our forces frustrated this plan with the support of our people and the International Coalition against ISIS.

We call on our people to support the Autonomous Administration against all conspiracies. They should stand by the Autonomous Administration established thanks to the sacrificing struggles of our martyrs and should defend the lands liberated by our brave martyrs. All ISIS foreign mercenaries should be repatriated.”