Prisons and Prisoners – War Watch

Al Hol Detention Camp (Syria) | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Prisons and Prisoners | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

U.S. Shifts Away From Kurdish-Led Forces in Fight Against ISIS
ByEuan Ward and Alissa J. Rubin January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

The U.S. envoy to Syria said Washington was confident the Syrian government could take over the country’s fight against the Islamic State terrorist group.

Read More U.S. Shifts Away From Kurdish-Led Forces in Fight Against ISIS
Deaths (Fatalities) | Deir al Balah (Gaza Strip) | Detainees | Gaza City (Gaza Strip) | Gaza Strip | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Jabaliya Refugee Camp (Gaza Strip) | Palestinian Islamic Jihad | Palestinians | Prisons and Prisoners | Sde Teiman (Israel) | Torture

After Suffering in Israeli Prison, a Gaza Detainee Comes Home to More Pain
ByBilal Shbair and Isabel Kershner December 25, 2025December 25, 2025

Haitham Salem spent 11 months held by Israel without charge and said he endured beatings and abuse. He was released as part of the cease-fire deal, longing to return to his family.

Read More After Suffering in Israeli Prison, a Gaza Detainee Comes Home to More Pain
Houthis | International Committee of the Red Cross | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Prisoners of War | Prisons and Prisoners | Saudi Arabia | United Nations | Yemen

Yemen’s Warring Sides Agree to Largest Prisoner Swap in a Decade of Fighting
ByIsmaeel Naar December 23, 2025

The Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government plan to exchange about 2,900 detainees, a rare humanitarian win at a time of deepening political stalemate.

Read More Yemen’s Warring Sides Agree to Largest Prisoner Swap in a Decade of Fighting
Al Hol Detention Camp (Syria) | Federal Aid (US) | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Prisoners of War | Prisons and Prisoners | Roj Detention Camp (Syria) | Shariah (Islamic Law) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | United States Agency for International Development | United States Defense and Military Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

ISIS Detention Camps Pose a Dangerous Problem for Syria’s Leaders
ByAlissa J. Rubin and Daniel Berehulak December 10, 2025

The government faces a dilemma over what to do with civil-war-era prisons and detention camps that hold thousands of ISIS fighters and tens of thousands of their family members.

Read More ISIS Detention Camps Pose a Dangerous Problem for Syria’s Leaders
Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades | Amnesty International | Egypt | Gaza Strip | Hamas | Human Rights and Human Rights Violations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Palestinians | Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine | Prisons and Prisoners | West Bank

Who Were the 2,000 Palestinians Freed by Israel?
ByVivian Yee and Rawan Sheikh Ahmad October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

Under the cease-fire deal, Israel released 250 Palestinians serving long sentences for violent attacks. More than 1,700 others had been detained in Gaza and held without charge.

Read More Who Were the 2,000 Palestinians Freed by Israel?
Amnesties, Commutations and Pardons | Gaza Strip | Hamas | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Kidnapping and Hostages | Palestinians | Peace Process | Prisons and Prisoners | Terrorism | West Bank

‘Over the Clouds’: Families of Palestinian Prisoners Await Their Release
ByFatima AbdulKarim October 11, 2025October 12, 2025

Israel agreed to free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, many of whom will be sent into exile. For their families, it brought joy. But for those whose relatives were excluded, it was a crushing blow.

Read More ‘Over the Clouds’: Families of Palestinian Prisoners Await Their Release
Amnesty International | Evin Prison | Human Rights and Human Rights Violations | Human Rights Watch | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Political Prisoners | Prisons and Prisoners

Iran’s Evin Prison Is Holding Dissidents Again
ByFarnaz Fassihi and Leily Nikounazar August 23, 2025

Israel largely destroyed Evin prison, one of Iran’s most infamous symbols of oppression, in June. Less than two months later, Iran began returning male prisoners.

Read More Iran’s Evin Prison Is Holding Dissidents Again
Araghchi, Abbas | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kidnapping and Hostages | Pezeshkian, Masoud | Political Prisoners | Politics and Government | Prisons and Prisoners | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | Valizadeh, Reza

Iran Is Holding at Least 4 US Citizens, Rights Groups and Families Say
ByFarnaz Fassihi August 2, 2025August 2, 2025

Two were seized after Israel and the United States attacked Iranian targets in June, and two others have been held since 2024.

Read More Iran Is Holding at Least 4 US Citizens, Rights Groups and Families Say
Assad, Bashar al- | Detainees | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Prisons and Prisoners | Syria | War and Armed Conflicts

They Vanished in Syria’s Long Occupation of Lebanon. Now Their Families Want Answers.
ByEuan Ward July 19, 2025

Thousands went missing during Syria’s decades-long intervention in Lebanon. Months after the fall of the Syrian regime, families are still clinging to hope.

Read More They Vanished in Syria’s Long Occupation of Lebanon. Now Their Families Want Answers.
Human Rights and Human Rights Violations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Namazi, Siamak | Political Prisoners | Prisons and Prisoners | Tehran (Iran)

Israel’s Deadly Assault on Iran Prison Incites Fury, Even Among Dissidents
ByFarnaz Fassihi, Parin Behrooz and Leily Nikounazar July 6, 2025July 9, 2025

The June 23 airstrikes on Evin prison, including the hospital ward, have turned it from a hated symbol of oppression into a new rallying cry against Israel, even among the Iranian regime’s domestic critics.

Read More Israel’s Deadly Assault on Iran Prison Incites Fury, Even Among Dissidents