RETURN OF ISIS Kurdish forces fear bombings may see jihadis escape from prisons
BY CHRIS HUGHES
A WAVE of car bombs sparked fears of a massive Isis uprising as Turkey’s invasion of Kurdishcontrolled Syria gathered pace.
One targeted Kurdish fighters at a restaurant in Qamishli, killing one and injuring five people.
It is believed thousands of Isis fighters in sleeper cells have been waiting for the Kurds to be diverted so they can rise up and attack.
Meanwhile, the UN said 100,000 refugees had fled the fighting, a figure locals claimed could soon rise to 300,000.
Marvan Qamishlo, of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said: “The whole border is on fire.”
The US-backed Kurds almost wiped out Isis in north-east Syria.
But when America withdrew, Turkish troops crossed the border to provide “a safe zone for refugees”.
Many feel the real reason is to punish the Kurds who want a homeland in the region.
Yesterday, Turkish forces were joined by fighters from the rebel Syrian National Army, increasing the odds of more widespread violence.
With the Kurds under such pressure, thousands of Isis fighters could escape makeshift jails and join the mayhem.
There are several facilities teeming with jihadis just 20 miles inside Syria.
Turkey yesterday vowed these prisoners will be returned to their countries of origin.
One official said: “The foreign terrorist fighters will not be released.
“However, there will also be initiatives to send them back to their countries of origin.”
Kurdish authorities have already accused Turkey of shelling a prison in Qamishli in a “clear attempt” to help jihadis – said to include 60 different nationalities – escape.
The border city lies well inside Turkey’s proposed “safe zone” but it is also in the far east of the country.
Yesterday, sources confirmed that five Isis prisoners had fled.
In all, 11,000 fighters were locked up after the Isis caliphate collapsed.
Many are Europeans – including some Brits – who could carry out attacks across the continent if freed by the fighting.
Earlier this week, the US took British jihadis Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee el-Sheikh into custody.
It is thought the pair, accused of beheading hostages, are likely to face a death penalty trial in the US.
Two Turkish soldiers died yesterday in a mortar attack near a military post set up last year in northern Syria.