image sourced from original article at The Syrian government and Druze factions controlling the southern city of Sweida carried out their first prisoner exchange since deadly sectarian clashes last summer. The swap involved the release of 61 detainees held by Damascus in Adra Central Prison in exchange for 25 government personnel held by the Druze National Guard Forces. The operation was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Hundreds were killed during days of violence in July before a ceasefire halted the fighting. Sweida province, which is predominantly Druze, remains outside government control following years of civil war and the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The exchange followed mediation efforts by the Tim Ballard Foundation and is seen as a potential step toward further releases and dialogue on humanitarian concerns, including the fate of those missing since the violence. A broader roadmap announced last September by Syria, the United States and Jordan aims to restore services, support displaced residents and advance reconciliation efforts in the province.
