While the National Defence Forces (NDF) did gain significant ground at several sites inside Qamishli yesterday, new reports indicate that a batch of some 50 NDF soldiers surrendered to the Kurdish Asayish police.
The pro-government troops reportedly raised the white flag at the Allya Prison which was subsequently captured by Asayish forces.
Al-Masdar News is not able to confirm the surrender; however, the story has been widely reported. Syrian state media is also yet to address the event.
Allya Prison is located on the eastern perimeter of the city; although a government-held institution until now, it has been completely surrounded by Kurdish forces whom until recently were friendly.
Due to Allya Prison being isolated from the government-held districts in the city’s center, other government soldiers were unable to aid the quickly beseiged NDF unit at the jail.
Likely, the commander of this NDF unit was unwilling to cause casualties upon his own soldiers or the Kurds who opposed the Syrian Government in yesterday’s battle.
Meanwhile, a local Kurdish source with links to the Asayish said at least 5 Kurdish police officers were killed during heavy clashes with government forces yesterday evening.
Nevertheless, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is not involved in the clashes while the YPG and SDF are also yet to enter the city’s battle.
Furthermore, the situation in neighbouring Hasakah city remains completely normal as the SAA and Kurdish militias still have joint checkpoints and coordinate against ISIS.
Thereby, the clashes inside Qamishli seem to be primarily between Kurdish locals who signed up with the Asayish and Arab, Armenian and Assyrian locals have largely sided with the government, thus joining the NDF.
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