ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian interim authorities on Monday released approximately 30 members of the all-women wing of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) detained during January conflict between both sides, said Hasaka governor.
"Today, 28 detained women from the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) were released by the Syrian government, and this step was taken within the framework of efforts to strengthen stability and social peace in the region,” Hasaka Governor Nour al-Din Ahmed told Rudaw.
The fighters were handed over in the southern Hasaka town of Shaddadi, according to Ahmed.
Some of the released fighters were aged under 18, according to a list published by SDF-affiliated ANHA news agency.
The release comes as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange process between Damascus and the SDF following an agreement reached after weeks of clashes in January. The deal is among a series of confidence-building measures aimed at easing tensions between the two sides.
Ahmed said around 1,300 SDF fighters have been released so far under the agreement, while the SDF has also freed hundreds of Syrian government personnel.
“Efforts will continue until no one remains in prison,” he said.
The latest release marks the largest single releases of YPJ members since the prisoner exchange process began.
Regarding the possible release of another group of detainees, Ahmed said, "Efforts and coordination are ongoing so that another group of fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) can be released in the near future."
He added that intensive efforts are underway to resolve the issue of detainees permanently.
The SDF and Damascus have been working to implement a landmark March 2025 agreement signed between SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which calls for the integration of Kurdish-led institutions into the Syrian state and seeks to resolve outstanding military and administrative disputes through dialogue.