Damascus Gate Prison

The Damascus Gate Prison was a prison in Baghdad situated in the Harbiyah district by the Iron Gate. Regarded as the most secure prison in Baghdad, it was named after the inner Damascus Gate that was part of the walls of the Round City.

History[edit | edit source]

In the 860s, the prison's corrupt guards served Mas'ood Al-Ya'qoob, a member of the Order of the Ancients, whom they supplied with prisoners that were forced to work at the Order's excavation sites in the desert.^[1] One such prisoner was Ali ibn Muhammad, the leader of the Zanj Rebellion, who was captured and transferred from the Khurasan Gate Guardhouse to this prison. The Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq, having pieced together information he got from the rebels and a note in the Khurasan Gate Guardhouse, traveled to the prison to free Ali before he was taken to one of the Order's excavation sites.^[2]

Breaking into the complex, Basim made his way to Ali's cell, where he eliminated the jailer torturing him. The Hidden One and the rebel leader then went to the warden's office to retrieve a book containing information on the guards' dealings with Mas'ood, which could help them locate the Order member. However, they were discovered and attacked by the guards, forcing Ali to escape with the book while Basim slowed down their assailants. Once Ali had fled to safety, Basim escaped from the prison as well.^[1]