Trump claims Syria recaptured Daesh detainees freed by YPG/SDF

U.S. President Donald Trump asserted on Tuesday that the Syrian government successfully recaptured all Daesh detainees who had escaped following their alleged release by the YPG/SDF. He credited this outcome to American cooperation with Damascus, framing it as a significant security achievement.

Trump's Account of the Operation

In an interview with the New York Post, Trump claimed, "Working with the government of Syria and the new leader of Syria, they captured all the prisoners, put them back to jail." He described the detainees as highly dangerous and stated, "We did a good job with Syria... European prisoners were breaking and I got it stopped." The president defended disclosing private diplomatic communications, sharing what he said were supportive messages from French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte regarding the operation.

Contradicting Reports and Broader Context

This claim contrasts with earlier statements from the Syrian Interior Ministry, which reported that 81 out of 120 escapees from the al-Shaddadi prison in Hasakah province had been recaptured. The ministry had blamed the YPG/SDF for the prison break. Trump's announcement of a "complete recovery" suggests all fugitives are now back in custody. This episode occurs alongside a recent ceasefire announcement and an agreement for the integration of YPG/SDF forces into Syrian state institutions, signaling a major shift in the northeastern Syria conflict.

Implications for Regional Dynamics

Trump's remarks highlight an unexpected and controversial level of U.S. coordination with the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad on security matters, a notable departure from previous policy. The sharing of private praise from European leaders also underscores his diplomatic style. For Türkiye, a nation that designates the YPG as a terrorist group and has long warned about the dangers of prison breaks, the incident validates its security concerns regarding the group's control of detention facilities in northern Syria.