Fire at northern Syrian prison kills at least seven amid inmate riot

State media reported that a prison disturbance erupted after protests broke out in the Syrian city of Kobane over the killing of a former Kurdish fighter. Demonstrators gathered in the streets to condemn the death, which they attributed to Turkish-backed forces, and the unrest quickly spread to the nearby detention facility where inmates initiated a riot, breaking windows and clashing with guards.

Authorities responded by deploying additional security personnel to both the protest sites and the prison, restoring order by late evening. Officials announced investigations into the circumstances of the fighter’s death and the causes of the inmate uprising, while urging the public to refrain from further violence. The incidents underscore heightened tensions in the region following recent cross‑border operations.