People witness the departure of buses carrying freed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) detainees in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination.
According to Syria's state-run SANA news agency, the exchange between the Aleppo Directorate of Internal Security and the SDF began after both sides agreed to resume the terms of a previously signed agreement with the Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Damascus interim authorities are set to release eight members of the SDF's allied Women's Protection Units, along with 170 other detainees, while the SDF is preparing to free approximately 250 prisoners affiliated with armed factions under the interim authorities.
The move follows the collapse of a similar exchange attempt on Wednesday, when SDF officials accused Syrian authorities of failing to release the agreed-upon number of detainees, leading to the suspension of the process.
Over the past week, intensive negotiations were held between the parties, ultimately leading to a new agreement to proceed with the prisoner handover in Aleppo, according to the observatory.
In addition to the prisoner release, the exchange will reportedly involve the return of several bodies from both sides, including members of Damascus-aligned factions and the SDF's internal security forces.
According to the observatory, security was heightened throughout Aleppo on Monday as both sides prepared for the sensitive exchange. The war monitor described the event as part of a broader framework aimed at de-escalation and reopening dialogue channels between the long-feuding factions.
This marks the second phase of the prisoner swap effort since the political transition in December. ■
Freed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) detainees are seen on a bus in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua)
A newly released detainee greets a loved one through a metal fence after being freed by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua)
Freed prisoners flash victory signs on a bus after being released by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua)
Released prisoners are seen on a bus after being released by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua)
Released prisoners are seen on a bus after being released by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria, on June 2, 2025. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian interim authorities resumed a large-scale prisoner exchange in the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, signaling renewed efforts to ease tensions following weeks of disrupted coordination. (Str/Xinhua)
