Syrian govt, Kurdish-led force exchange prisoners in step toward easing tensions
Syrian authorities and a Kurdish-led force exchanged Monday more than 400 prisoners as part of a deal reached earlier this year between the two sides.
The exchange in the northern city of Aleppo is a step in the process of confidence- building measures between the government in Damascus and the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. A similar exchange took place in April.
Mulham al-Akidi, the deputy governor of Aleppo province, said 470 prisoners were released by both sides adding that the exchange "aims to reduce tensions on the ground." He added that if there are more prisoners they will be released in the near future.
Yasser Mohammed Hakim said he was detained six months ago after he drove into an SDF-controlled area by mistake. The man added that he was held in a jail where members of the Islamic State group are held in Syria.
"They put us with the biggest terrorists," Hakim told The Associated Press after his release by the SDF. "I am a civilian who took the wrong road. I lost six months of my life."
In March, Syria's interim government signed a deal with the Kurdish-led authority that controls the country's northeast, including a ceasefire and the merging of the main U.S.-backed force there into the Syrian army.
Since the deal was signed, the clashes between the SDF and the Syrian National Army, a coalition of Turkey-backed groups, almost stopped in northern Syria after months of fighting that left dozens killed or wounded on both sides.
Syria's new rulers are struggling to exert their authority across the country and reach political settlements with different ethnic and religious groups in the war-torn nation.
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Lebanon is recovering from a devastating war lasting more than 13 months pitting Israel against Hezbollah. Despite the adoption of a fragile cease-fire last November, the Israeli army continues to occupy five positions along the border in southern Lebanon, and conducts almost daily strikes in this region and in the Bekaa. In its final report on the damages and losses suffered by Lebanon from the outbreak of the war on Oct. 8, 2023, to the truce on Nov. 27, 2024, the World Bank estimates the total bill for damages at $6.8 billion in the areas affected by Israeli bombings, with economic losses reaching $7.2 billion. "Royal directives always reaffirm Jordan's position alongside brotherly Lebanon, as well as its support for its sovereignty, security and stability,"Hassan declared. Salam, praised Amman's role in "supporting Lebanon and showing solidarity at every stage," describing its "positions as historic and strategic." He added that "Jordan's voice is heard in the world and Lebanon needs this role in this period it is going through." 'The illusion of a Greater Israel' Salam and the King of Jordan also discussed security instability in the region during their meeting. Abdullah II insisted on "the necessity of an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the strengthening of humanitarian aid delivery to alleviate the suffering of the population." He also reiterated "Jordan's categorical rejection of Israeli plans to extend their control in the West Bank and the region. Regarding Syria, the Jordanian leader said that "the security and stability of this country is a common priority," recalling "Jordan's support for the efforts of Syrian brothers to preserve the stability of their country, its sovereignty and the security of its citizens." Returning to his discussion with Salam, Hassan said: "We are hearing about visions and proposals aimed at perpetuating endless wars, such as the illusion of a Greater Israel maintained by extremist Israeli politicians. However, the reality is quite different: these policies fuel hatred and resentment, and the peoples of the world and the region will not forgive them for it." Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "very attached" to the idea of a "Greater Israel," referring to biblical-era borders that include the West Bank and parts of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria — territories some ultra-nationalist Israelis hope to control. A Jordanian official dismissed the remarks as "absurd illusions" that would not affect "the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people." 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'No Going Back on the Disarmament Deadline' Salam then stated in an interview with Jordan's al-Mamlaka channel that 'it is impossible for his Cabinet to reverse the deadline set for implementing the state's exclusive control over weapons.' 'The issue of arms exclusivity is not new — we now refer to it as the disarmament of Hezbollah, but it was already part of the 1989 Taif Agreement, which called for extending the Lebanese state's authority over the entire national territory,' he stressed. Salam also said he had asked Abdullah II to continue supporting the Lebanese Army as it faces major challenges, particularly in the South, where Israeli forces remain present despite the cease-fire reached in November.
