ISIS releases 6 Syrian Druze hostages in first stage of prisoner swap: monitor
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – ISIS released six of 27 civilians being held hostage by them in Syria’s southern Sweida province as part of a swap deal, according to a conflict monitor.
“Two women were released along with their four children,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday.
This was a “gesture of goodwill” and part of an agreement that should see the release of the rest of the captives in exchange for $27 million and more than 60 prisoners being held by the regime and possibly the SDF, the Observatory stated.
ISIS seized about 30 civilians, members of the Druze minority, in deadly attacks on villages in Sweida in late July.
The release of more of the captives is expected within hours or days, the Observatory stated.
The day before, SDF spokesperson Kino Gabriel had said that no prisoner exchange was agreed yet, but told local ANHA news they were ready to agree to any exchange of ISIS members in their custody in order to secure the release of the women and children in Sweida.
The Observatory noted that there was calm in the Talul al-Safa area southern Syria, but that the regime had brought in military reinforcements to the area in order to pressure the militants into releasing the hostages.
Families of the people being held by ISIS staged protests at provincial government headquarters in Sweida, demanding action from officials to secure the release of their loved ones.
ISIS had reportedly demanded $1 million ransom per hostage. At least two of the people being held have died – one executed by the militants.
“Two women were released along with their four children,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday.
This was a “gesture of goodwill” and part of an agreement that should see the release of the rest of the captives in exchange for $27 million and more than 60 prisoners being held by the regime and possibly the SDF, the Observatory stated.
ISIS seized about 30 civilians, members of the Druze minority, in deadly attacks on villages in Sweida in late July.
The release of more of the captives is expected within hours or days, the Observatory stated.
The day before, SDF spokesperson Kino Gabriel had said that no prisoner exchange was agreed yet, but told local ANHA news they were ready to agree to any exchange of ISIS members in their custody in order to secure the release of the women and children in Sweida.
The Observatory noted that there was calm in the Talul al-Safa area southern Syria, but that the regime had brought in military reinforcements to the area in order to pressure the militants into releasing the hostages.
Families of the people being held by ISIS staged protests at provincial government headquarters in Sweida, demanding action from officials to secure the release of their loved ones.
ISIS had reportedly demanded $1 million ransom per hostage. At least two of the people being held have died – one executed by the militants.