Syrian government and Kurdish-led force exchange prisoners in a step toward easing tensions
In a gesture of goodwill, Syrian authorities and a Kurdish-led force carried out the exchange of over 400 prisoners in the city of Aleppo on Monday. This exchange is part of a broader agreement reached earlier this year between the two sides to build trust and reduce tensions.
Mulham al-Akidi, the deputy governor of Aleppo province, confirmed that a total of 470 prisoners were released by both parties, with the aim of de-escalating the situation on the ground. He also mentioned that any remaining prisoners would be released soon.
One of the released prisoners, Yasser Mohammed Hakim, shared his experience of being mistakenly detained six months ago after entering an area controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He described being held in a facility where members of the Islamic State group are also imprisoned, expressing frustration at losing six months of his life for a simple mistake.
The exchange of prisoners comes following a recent agreement between Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led authority in the northeast of the country, which included a ceasefire and the integration of certain forces into the Syrian army. This agreement has significantly reduced clashes in northern Syria, paving the way for a more peaceful coexistence between different factions.
As Syria’s new leadership continues to navigate the complex political landscape of the war-torn nation, efforts to establish authority and foster dialogue with diverse ethnic and religious groups remain ongoing.
