Hassakeh: Thousands of Syrians displaced amid ongoing fighting

Thousands of Syrians have been displaced as a result of ongoing fighting between Islamic State fighters and U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters, following a raid on a prison in Hassakeh where militants were being held.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said about 45,000 people have reportedly been displaced from their homes as a result of the attack on the prison, with most seeking safety with family and friends in nearby areas, but about 750 taking refuge in two temporary shelters.

Many are taking refugee in mosques. In one mosque, more than 150 are taking shelter to stay safe from the current fighting.

Last week, militants rammed vehicles through the prison walls, enabling a number of imprisoned fighters to escape and take hostages.

Clashes have continued since then, including with militants holed up in adjacent residential areas.

Shexa Miziyen is staying at the mosque in the Til Hajar neighborhood of Hassakeh. She says IS militants forced their way into their home.

For Khalil Hassan, they were forced to stay with the militants all night after militants took over his home.

The U.S.-led coalition carried out a number of strikes on suspected militants who had taken control of the prison's northern wing.