4th group of detainees released from SDF-run prisons in northeastern Syria

A fourth group of detainees was released from prisons run by the SDF group in northeastern Syria as part of an agreement reached earlier this year, Al-Ikhbariya television reported Monday.

The broadcaster, citing the Hasakah Information Directorate, said the latest release took place in SDF-controlled areas in the country’s northeast.

The channel did not specify how many detainees were freed in the latest group. The third batch released Saturday included 91 detainees.

The first and second groups were released on March 10 and March 19, with 400 detainees freed in the second batch, while no figure was announced for the first.

Estimates suggest thousands of detainees remain in SDF-run prisons across Hasakah, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Many were detained during years of the YPG/SDF terrorist group’s control over the region on accusations related to loyalty to the Syrian government or opposition to the group’s policies.

On Jan. 30, the Syrian government announced that it had reached a comprehensive agreement with the SDF aimed at ending divisions in the country and launching a new phase of integration.

*Writing by Lina Altawell