At least 400 civilians from northern Idlib province were arrested by regime forces near Damascus this week when they were heading the capital, Chairman of the Syrian Commission for Detainees said Wednesday.
Most of the detainees are state employees and workers who have no links with the rebel groups, Lawyer Fahad al Mousa told Zaman al-Wasl, demanding Human Rights organisations to urge the Syrian regime to free the detainees as well to stop mass arrest.
During the last three days, the regime forces that based in Adra town, 15 (10 miles) northeast of Damascus, have been arresting all passengers coming from Idlib to the capital.
Women and children are among the detainees who come to Damascus for medical purposes.
Only 20 people have been released after paying bribes to army officials, according to al Mousa.
Idlib is one of the most important strongholds of rebels, including jihadist factions, who seek to overthrow Bashar al-Assad, whose air force, along with that of his ally Russia, has been heavily bombarding rebel there.
The peaceful demonstrations that ended up with deadly war carried out by the Syrian regime and key regional players has killed at least 470,000 people, including 150,000 children and has displaced over 12 million people
