Arrangements underway to release 300 prisoners held by interim government

Private sources told ANHA agency that the Syrian Interim Government is expected to release approximately 300 prisoners held by the government on Thursday or Friday, following weeks of delays and setbacks in implementing the prisoner exchange agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The sources confirmed that intensive preparations have been underway since yesterday to expedite the release of a new batch of prisoners.

This comes as prisoner exchanges between the two sides have slowed considerably for the third consecutive week, amid a lack of any official explanation regarding the reasons for the halt in implementing further phases of the agreement reached on January 29.

According to ANHA agency's sources, the number of prisoners remaining in the Interim Government's custody is estimated to be between 500 and 600. No exchanges have taken place since April 11, although a new batch was scheduled for release last week but did not materialize.

Sources indicated that the interim government authorities have not carried out any prisoner releases recently, as several release dates have been postponed. The releases have been linked to administrative and political issues related to the implementation of the agreement, including the Qamishlo courthouse, as well as matters related to integration and security.

These developments fall under the January 29 agreement, which stipulates a phased exchange of prisoners and the return of displaced persons to their areas of origin. Three previous phases of the agreement were implemented during March and April 2026, resulting in the release of hundreds of individuals from both sides.

The first phase of the prisoner exchange took place on March 10, with 100 prisoners being released for 100. The second phase, on March 19, involved 300 prisoners being released for 300. The third phase was implemented on April 11, during which 400 people were released by the Syrian Interim Government in exchange for 91 by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Meanwhile, Sipan Hamo, the Deputy Minister of Defense for the Eastern Region in the Syrian Interim Government, confirmed that the issues of prisoners and displaced persons are linked to the Integration Committee and the Ministry of Interior. He expressed the Ministry of Defense's dissatisfaction with the delays in implementing the releases and rejected linking this issue to political and administrative matters within the framework of the agreement.

For its part, the SDF maintains that the issues of prisoners and the return of displaced persons are priorities in implementing the agreement, while families of prisoners continue to organize protests and demand the swift release of their loved ones.

Cities in NE Syria, particularly in the Jazera region and Kobani, have witnessed daily protests since January 29th by families of prisoners, demanding the release of their loved ones and the expedited implementation of the prisoner exchange agreement.

The protesters chant slogans condemning the slow pace of the releases, arguing that linking the prisoner issue to political and administrative procedures has stalled the agreement and delayed the detainees' return to their families. They emphasize that the continued delays exacerbate the suffering of families and deepen public anger.

Concurrently, the return of displaced persons to the city of Afrin has been halted during the same period, amid indications that these issues are connected to the ongoing administrative and political procedures within the agreement's implementation process. Informed sources report that officials within the presidential delegation tasked with monitoring the agreement continue to link its implementation to several overlapping issues.

Sh-S

ANHA