In swap with Syrian government, dozens of detainees from Suwayda released
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian government released on Thursday dozens of detainees and prisoners from the city of Suwayda in a swap operation with the “National Guard,” which is militarily present in the city and currently responsible for its security.
The exchange operation between the Syrian government and the National Guard in Suwayda was conducted under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and with American mediation, according to a correspondent for North Press in the city.
Tariq al-Mughoush, the head of the negotiation file in Suwayda, told North Press, “The Syrian government released 61 detainees, in exchange for 25 detainees from the Syrian Ministries of Interior and Defense, in an exchange described as partial. Efforts will be completed later to close the file completely.”
He explained that the swap came after “lengthy negotiations sponsored by the International Committee of the Red Cross,” affirming that work is still ongoing to secure the release of the remaining detainees.
Al-Mughoush added that the negotiating committee has “precise lists of the detainees’ names in coordination with the residents of Suwayda,” pointing to evidence that many sons of the city remain in Syrian government prisons without their fate being disclosed so far.
The negotiation official considered the file of negotiations on detainees as “part of a broader political path that is still being worked on,” affirming commitment to follow up on the issue until all prisoners and detainees are released.