The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Prisoner exchanges | Releasing three “Jaish Al-Ezzah” members in exchange for Iranian brigadier general’s body and five regime soldiers eastern Idlib countryside

Idlib province: Reliable sources have informed the Syrian Observatory that an exchange of prisoners between the “Jaish Al-Ezzah” faction and regime forces at Al-Nayrab town frontline east of Idlib, where three members of the “Jaish Al-Ezzah” faction captured in previous battles have been released in exchange for the body of an Iranian brigadier general and five regime soldiers.

On December 17, SOHR sources reported that the prisoners-swap deal, which took place between regime forces and the “National Army” at Abu Al-Zindayn crossing in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, under Russian-Turkish guarantee, ignited a state of popular discontent in areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions in Aleppo countryside, after disclosing new details on this deal.

 

According to sources, the prisoners released by regime forces were civilians living in regime-held areas, and they had been arrested a few months ago. Some of these people were arrested for involving in crimes, while the others were arrested arbitrarily. Meanwhile, the prisoners released by the factions of the Turkish-backed “National Army” were regime army defectors who sneaked into Aleppo, attempting to cross into Turkey then to Europe, and they were not captured during battles, as the factions claimed.

 

It is worth noting that the civilians released by regime forces had stated that they would return to live with their families in regime-controlled areas, as they were related to any opposition bodies.

 

On December 16, SOHR sources reported a new prisoners-swap deal between regime forces and the “National Army” at Abu Al-Zindayn crossing in the eastern countryside of Aleppo. Under Russian-Turkish guarantee, five members held by regime forces were released in return for the release of five others in the National Army’s custody.