Al-Hasakah governorate (northeastern Syria) has witnessed new developments in recent days regarding the detainee file between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as part of the implementation of the agreement signed between the two sides last January.
The agreement aims to address several unresolved issues in northeastern Syria, foremost among them the prison and detainee files.
The presidential envoy tasked with following up on the implementation of the agreement, Brigadier General Ziad al-Ayesh, said the Syrian state will begin releasing a new batch of detainees linked to previous confrontations with government forces in the coming days.
New batch of detainees to be released
Al-Ayesh said in an official statement that the Syrian government remains committed to implementing the provisions of the agreement with the SDF, noting that the next steps will include the release of a second batch of detainees who were previously arrested for participating in confrontations with government forces during law enforcement operations.
He added that the move comes as part of the state’s efforts to achieve stability and strengthen national reconciliation, stressing that the release of detainees is part of a broader process aimed at addressing security and judicial files linked to previous events.
Al-Ayesh also said that the Syrian government intends to take over prisons previously controlled by the SDF and transfer their administration to the Ministry of Interior. These prisons would then fall under direct judicial supervision from the Ministry of Justice, to ensure the regulation of detainees’ conditions and place the cases within a clear legal framework.
He added that the government is also working in parallel with the SDF leadership to secure the release of political detainees and prisoners of conscience, in addition to people detained over their participation in events linked to the Syrian revolution.
Detainee exchange during March
The exchange process between the two sides began earlier in March.
On March 8, the Syrian government released 59 SDF fighters who had been held in its custody.
Two days later, on March 10, another exchange took place, with each side releasing 100 detainees. The exchange was carried out near the southern entrance to the city of al-Hasakah.
These operations mark the first steps in implementing the agreement announced between the two parties, raising hopes among detainees’ families that these measures could lead to a broader resolution of a file that has remained unresolved for years.
SDF speaks of recovering prisoners
For his part, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said on Saturday that his forces are working to secure the return of about 300 of their fighters held by the Syrian government in the coming days.
Abdi added that the efforts also include retrieving the bodies of SDF fighters killed in previous battles.
His remarks came during the funeral of ten SDF fighters in the city of Ain al-Arab (Kobani, northern Aleppo countryside), attended by newly appointed Syrian Deputy Defense Minister Sipan Hamo and SDF commander Mahmoud Barkhadan.
Abdi expressed hope that the prisoners would soon return to their families so they could celebrate Nowruz with their loved ones, noting that the current stage requires unifying society and strengthening stability in the region.
Prison file within the agreement
The detainee and prison file is among the most prominent issues addressed in the agreement signed between the Syrian government and the SDF last January, alongside other matters related to security and military administration in northeastern Syria.
Families of detainees held by both sides have demanded clarification on the fate of their relatives and the release of detainees, especially those held by the SDF over political activity or participation in celebrations following the fall of the former regime.
With the implementation of the agreement underway, the prison file has emerged as one of the most sensitive issues, given that it involves thousands of detainees held by the Syrian Democratic Forces, which control large parts of the region.
Field steps in al-Hasakah
Alongside the detainee releases, al-Hasakah governorate has witnessed several field and administrative steps in recent days that officials say are part of implementing the agreement.
These steps included security measures along the M4 international highway near the town of Tal Tamer (northwestern al-Hasakah countryside), in addition to military organizational arrangements.
Local sources also spoke of meetings and coordination between the two sides aimed at gradually addressing unresolved issues, including the prison file and the administration of certain security facilities.
Officials say these measures are intended to reduce security tensions in the region and create conditions for implementing the remaining provisions of the agreement. Meanwhile, residents in al-Hasakah are waiting for tangible results, particularly regarding the release of detainees and clarification over the fate of the missing.
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