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Syrian Kurds, Damascus Agree to Prisoner Swap Following Normalization Talks

In a significant development reported by Al-Monitor, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim Syrian government, headed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, have agreed to a major prisoner exchange. This deal follows high-level normalization talks aimed at easing tensions and fostering cooperation between the autonomous Kurdish region in northeast Syria and Damascus.

The agreement involves the exchange of nearly 470 prisoners, marking a critical step toward reconciliation. According to Foza Yusuf, a senior member of the Kurdish delegation, 290 prisoners—including seven female fighters from the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), renowned for their pivotal role in combating the Islamic State—will be released by the Syrian government and handed over to the SDF in Aleppo. In return, the Kurdish side will free 176 detainees, some of whom are linked to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the jihadi group formerly led by Sharaa before he assumed leadership of the interim government.

This prisoner swap, which took place in the al-Ramun district of Aleppo, was closely guarded by armed personnel from both sides, symbolizing a fragile but hopeful moment of cooperation after years of conflict and mistrust. The exchange not only represents a humanitarian gesture but also signals a broader political shift as both parties explore avenues for coexistence and stability in the war-torn country.

The normalization talks and subsequent prisoner swap come amid ongoing efforts to rebuild Syria’s fractured political landscape. Analysts view this development as a potential catalyst for further dialogue and collaboration, which could pave the way for more comprehensive peace initiatives in the future.

Photo: ANHA

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