Prisoner exchange and return of displaced people to Afrin stalled since last April

For the third consecutive week, prisoner exchanges between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Interim Government have slowed considerably, amid a continued lack of official explanation for the halt in implementing the agreement signed between the two sides on January 29.

According to sources for ANHA agency, the number of prisoners remaining in the hands of the Interim Government is estimated at between 500 and 600. No exchanges have taken place since April 11, despite a new round scheduled for last week.

No prisoner releases have been recorded by the Syrian Interim Government authorities. Sources indicate that the government side has postponed several release dates and linked them to administrative and political issues related to the agreement's implementation mechanisms. These include the Qamishlo courthouse, as well as matters concerning integration and security.

Concurrently, the return of displaced persons to Afrin has also been suspended during this period, with indications that these issues are linked to ongoing administrative and political procedures within the framework of the agreement's implementation. According to informed sources, officials within the presidential delegation tasked with following up on the agreement continue to link the implementation of the clauses to several overlapping issues

These developments come within the framework of implementing 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 exchange took place during March and April 2026, involving the release of hundreds of people from both sides.

The first phase occurred on March 10, with 100 prisoners exchanged for 100. The second phase, on March 19, involved 300 prisoners exchanged for 300. The third phase took place on April 11, during which 400 people were released by the Interim Government in exchange for 91 by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

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

For its part, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) affirms 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 sons.

On the other hand, cities in NE Syria, particularly in Jazera and Kobani, have witnessed daily protests by families of prisoners since January 29, demanding the release of their sons and the acceleration of the implementation of the prisoner exchange agreement with the Syrian Interim Government.

During their demonstrations, protesters raised banners condemning the authorities' slow pace in implementing the prisoner releases. They believe that linking the issue of prisoners to political and administrative procedures has disrupted the agreement and delayed the return of dozens of detainees to their families.

Participants in these demonstrations emphasize that the continued postponement of the exchanges exacerbates the suffering of families. They demand an end to what they describe as the policy of procrastination and adherence to the signed agreements, ensuring the complete and unconditional release of all prisoners.

Sh-S

ANHA