Syrian Kurds free 50 detainees linked to Islamic State: official

HASAKA, Syrian Kurdistan,— Kurdish authorities in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) released 50 Syrian prisoners on Monday who were accused of affiliation with the Islamic State (IS) group. This action is part of a broader amnesty initiative, as confirmed by an official speaking to AFP.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the military arm of the semi-autonomous region in northeastern Syria, oversee numerous detention facilities housing thousands of individuals suspected of IS membership. These include not only Syrian nationals but also hundreds of foreign detainees.

This latest release is part of a general amnesty announced in July by the autonomous administration. The amnesty specifically applies to Syrians who have committed crimes under the anti-terrorism laws or actions that threaten regional security.

Reber Kalo, an official with the Asayish, the security forces of the Kurdish administration, stated that the amnesty resulted in the release of 50 individuals accused of being affiliated with the IS group, also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh.

Kalo emphasized that the amnesty is restricted to Syrian nationals and excludes foreigners. Furthermore, it only applies to those who have not participated directly in combat or engaged in acts of violence, ensuring that individuals with “blood on their hands” are not eligible for release.

This recent group is the second to be freed under this amnesty, which is expected to benefit between 1,000 and 1,500 individuals in total. The official also indicated that additional releases would occur over the coming months as part of the ongoing implementation of the amnesty.

The decision to implement this general amnesty followed a meeting of Syrian tribal leaders and community representatives on May 25, where the move was recommended as a step toward reconciliation and stability in the region.

The Kurdish administration’s statement in July highlighted the importance of this initiative for addressing the complex humanitarian and security challenges facing northeastern Syria.

In the city of Hasaka, an AFP photographer witnessed the handover of prisoners from Kurdish security forces to tribal leaders, marking a significant gesture of trust and cooperation between the Kurdish administration and local communities.

This approach has been used previously, with the SDF releasing Syrians accused of IS affiliation following assurances from tribal leaders about their reintegration into society.

The context of these events traces back to 2014 when the Islamic State seized control of vast territories in Syria and Iraq, imposing a brutal regime of terror.

The SDF, a coalition led primarily by Kurdish forces but also including Arab fighters, played a crucial role in the defeat of IS, supported by a U.S.-led international coalition. By March 2019, the SDF had driven IS from its last stronghold in Baghouz, eastern Syria.

Despite this military victory, the aftermath of IS’s defeat has left the Kurdish administration with the challenging task of managing around 56,000 people in detention centers and camps across northeastern Syria. Among them are not only IS fighters and their families but also civilians displaced by the conflict. The two most prominent camps, Al-Hol and Roj, house a mix of these groups, creating a complex humanitarian situation.

The ongoing detention of approximately 12,000 suspected IS members since 2019, including a significant number of foreign nationals, has posed both security and ethical dilemmas for the Kurdish authorities.

The Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its military wings, the YPG and YPJ, have been acknowledged globally for their effective fight against IS. The YPG, which forms the backbone of the SDF, has been instrumental in reclaiming territories from IS and securing the region.

The PYD-led administration in Rojava has established a governance model rooted in secularism, gender equality, direct democracy, and environmental stewardship. This model has garnered international respect, particularly for its emphasis on women’s rights and its efforts to build a decentralized and inclusive society in a region long plagued by conflict and authoritarianism.

As the Kurdish authorities continue to navigate the challenges of post-IS Syria, the general amnesty and subsequent prisoner releases represent a significant step in their broader strategy to promote stability and reconciliation within the region.

(With files from AFP)