Regime intelligence and “Sheikh Al-Karama forces” swap prisoners in Al-Suwaidaa

Reliable sources have informed SOHR that local gunmen affiliated to “Sheikh Al-Karama forces” in Al-Suwaidaa province swapped prisoners with regime intelligence. According to SOHR sources, regime intelligence released a young man from Al-Suwaidaa’s Salkhad and he is affiliated to local factions there. It is noteworthy that he was arrested last month. At that time, local factions in the province responded to the arresting of the young man by capturing five regime officers, two members affiliated to the Lebanese Hezbollah and a volunteer in regime military intelligence.

The young man was released yesterday just after the factions had released the regime officers and Hezbollah-backed members.

On March 17, SOHR sources reported that “Sheikh al-Karama” faction demanded the release of one of its members detained by regime intelligence services.

“Sheikh al-Karama” forces issued a statement announcing the detention of two militiamen of the Lebanese Hezbollah, on Sami’e road in Al-Suwaidaa countryside. They demanded the release of their kidnapped member in return for releasing the two kidnapped Hezbollah members as well as other regime officers who were captured earlier by “Sheikh al-Karama” forces.

The statement also stressed their readiness for all eventualities if regime forces and militias tried to escalate the situation.

On March 13, activist told SOHR that regime forces arrested a woman while returning from Damascus to Al-Suwaidaa without a clear charge.

Meanwhile, members of the local factions in Al-Suwaidaa captured four regime military police members at the roundabout of the Al-Basel at the entrance Al-Suwaidaa city center, demanding those responsible for the arrest of the woman be held accountable.