Syrian Government, Kurds Exchange Prisoners in Aleppo
Syrian government exchanged over 400 prisoners on Monday with the Kurdish-led authority as part of their deal signed at the beginning of this year, according to Associated Press.
The exchange represents a significant move toward building trust between the Syrian government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Aleppo.
Mulham Al-Akidi, the Deputy Governor of Aleppo province, said that 470 prisoners were released by both sides. Al-Akidi noted that the exchange seeks to 'reduce tensions on the ground.'
In March, Syria's President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and SDF Chief Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement to integrate the civil and military institutions of Kurds into the Syrian government.
This remarkable step represents a significant gain for the new government that seeks to unify the country. Consequently, the clashes between both sides almost ended in northern Syria after months of fighting.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani has recently urged Kurdish-led forces to swiftly integrate into the Syrian state warning that postponing this step would 'prolong the chaos' in the country.
The minister's remarks came as the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, announced that it was disbanding, a move described by Al-Shaibani as 'a pivotal moment' for regional stability.
He also added that Syria is currently incorporating all areas under central state control and 'implementing the national accord with the Syrian Democratic Forces.'
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