"VAN" (International Desk - 27.02.2026) :: Syrian Internal Security Forces, in coordination with the Military Police, began transferring 61 detainees to Sweida on Thursday as part of an exchange that will see 25 captives held by the so-called “National Guard” militia in the province released, officials said. Qutaiba Azzam, director of media relations in Sweida, told SANA that the detainees were being moved to the al-Matouna checkpoint in the province’s northern countryside to complete the agreed exchange process. The operation includes the release of 25 captives held by the militia and is being carried out under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross to ensure compliance with humanitarian standards, Azzam said. The exchange is part of broader government efforts to address the issue of detainees and captives in Sweida through an agreed mechanism between the parties involved, with the aim of reducing tensions and reinforcing stability in the province. Cr-SANA
On Fri, Feb 27, 2026