On Thursday, Druze factions and Damascus authorities exchanged detainees in Suwayda, southern Syria, according to a Druze source familiar with the negotiations. The governorate, which is the stronghold of the Druze minority, witnessed, starting on July 13 and for a week, clashes between Druze militants and Bedouin fighters, before they turned into bloody confrontations following the intervention of government forces and then tribal militants alongside the Bedouins.

Published on: 02/26/2026 - 12:07 Last updated: 02/26/2026 - 13:25

On Thursday, the Syrian government authorities conducted an exchange of detainees with the Druze factions in As-Suwayda in the south of the country, according to a Druze source familiar with the negotiations, confirmed by the Information Directorate in the governorate.

The process of exchanging "detainees and prisoners" is the first of its kind between the two sides since the clashes that took place in the Druze-majority city last summer, which resulted in deaths.

Read also: Damascus confirms a mass escape from Al-Hawl camp, which was housing families of jihadists

The directorate added that the exchange included Damascus releasing 61 members of the Druze factions who were detained in the Adra central prison near the capital, in exchange for the release of 25 members of the Syrian government by what are known as the Druze National Guard forces.

She added that the exchange took place under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Stefan Sakalian, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Syria, said that the organization hopes that this step will pave the way for other releases later, and to launch a dialogue on humanitarian concerns, including the fate of people missing since the violence that occurred last July.

A Syrian government source and a Druze source told Reuters that the exchange took place successfully, and came after mediation by the Tim Ballard Foundation, an American non-profit organization that combats human trafficking. The institution has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Violent clashes

Violent sectarian clashes broke out in Suwayda in mid-July between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin tribes, and intensified when the Islamist-led government sent its forces to try to contain the fighting in the governorate's capital.

The clashes led to strikes launched by Israel, which supports the Druze, against the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Druze constituted about three percent of Syria's population before the war, which numbered 25 million people.

Last September, Syria, the United States, and Jordan announced a seven-step roadmap to address the Suwayda crisis, which aimed to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian and medical aid.

The roadmap gave priority to restoring basic services and deploying local security forces to secure roads, compensate those affected, and facilitate the return of displaced residents.

It also sought to clarify the fate of missing persons and launch a comprehensive reconciliation process, while holding those responsible for violations against civilians accountable.

They are being held in preventive detention

A security source said that the Syrian government has been detaining 140 Druze citizens in Adra Central Prison since the events of July, and no official confirmation of the number has been issued.

Suwayda Governor Mustafa Al-Bakour told the Qatari-funded Syria TV channel last month that they were being held in precautionary detention without formal charges being brought against them.

The Syrian government released 36 of them last October.

One of those released said that he did not receive any documents confirming his detention or release, but rather received one million Syrian pounds (about $90) and a new mobile phone.

While the Syrian Ministry of Interior has not yet responded to a request for comment, a Druze security source said that the National Guard is still detaining five government soldiers.

France 24/Reuters

Keywords related to the article

The content you want to browse is no longer in service or is currently unavailable.