International efforts to uncover the fate of the kidnapped people in Suwayda

The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced, on Thursday, that there are international efforts to uncover the fate of the abductees in the Suwayda Governorate in the south of the country, noting that outlaw groups still do not want to disclose the condition of their abductees and missing persons.

This comes with the announcement that the Internal Security Forces, in cooperation with the Military Police, have begun procedures for transferring 61 detainees from As-Suwayda Governorate to the Al-Matonah checkpoint in the northern countryside of the governorate, in preparation for carrying out an exchange operation that includes the release of 25 prisoners held by the so-called “National Guard” militia in As-Suwayda, under the supervision of the International Red Cross Mission.

The Syrian Al-Ikhbariya channel quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba as saying: “Today we succeeded in exchanging joy for 86 Syrian families,” noting that the Ministry of Interior made great efforts in this operation, especially the Internal Security Command in Suwayda.

He added: “We succeeded in breaking the kidnapping, captivity and detention of 25 Syrian citizens who were kidnapped by outlaw groups,” revealing that 61 detainees held by the Syrian state were released.

The Pope explained, “This matter came in the context of the Amman Agreement for steps to calm the situation in Suwayda and the return of a peaceful and political solution within the scope of Syrian national unity.”

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted the director of media relations in Suwayda, Qutaiba Azzam, as saying that the Internal Security Forces, in coordination with the military police, began this morning transferring the detainees to the Al-Matouna point in preparation for completing the exchange procedures.

Azzam stated that the operation includes the release of 25 prisoners held by the so-called “National Guard” militia, stressing that its implementation is being carried out under the supervision of the International Mission of the Red Cross in a way that ensures adherence to approved humanitarian standards and procedures.

This step falls within the government’s efforts to address the issue of detainees and prisoners in Suwayda through an exchange mechanism agreed upon between the concerned parties, which contributes to alleviating tension and enhancing local stability in the governorate, according to the agency.

In turn, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the exchange operation was carried out under the direct supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross, through the Al-Matonah checkpoint in the north of the governorate, amid careful arrangements and strict security measures that ensured that the operation was completed smoothly and safely.