UNICEF says fears grow over fate of 850 children in besieged Syrian prison

ATTENTION EDITORS - SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB An armoured vehicle rides next to a smoke as Syrian Democratic Forces affiliates clash with the Islamic State militants outside a prison in Hasaka, Syria January 22, 2022, in this screen grab taken from a video. Video recorded January 22, 2022. North Press Agency Digital/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO

Fears are growing for hundreds of children in a Syrian prison seized by Islamic State inmates, after six days of clashes with Kurdish-led fighters seeking to regain control of the facility, the United Nations children's agency said on Tuesday.

About 850 children are caught in the crossfire as Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) aided by U.S. troops attempt to storm the prison in Hasaka city after it was seized by militants last Thursday, leaving dozens dead.