20 ISIL members escaped from prison after earthquake

(Patria) - In northwestern Syria, at least 20 former ISIL members escaped from prison on Monday following the deadly earthquake, AFP reported.

Around 2,000 prisoners are held in the military police prison in the city of Rajo, near the Turkish border, of whom about 1,300 are suspected ISIL fighters. Kurdish fighters are also held in the prison.

"After the earthquake occurred, Rajo was hit, and the prisoners began an uprising and took control of parts of the prison," said an official at the Rajo prison, which is under the control of pro-Turkish factions.

"About 20 prisoners escaped, and they are believed to be ISIL militants," it was announced.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the United Kingdom, stated that it could not confirm whether prisoners had escaped, but claimed that an uprising had occurred.