تحرير عدد من المخطوفين في السويداء

The security authorities in the governorate of Sweida announced the liberation of a number of kidnapped civilians and their handover to their families.

Major Ahmad al-Dalati, the head of internal security in Sweida, stated in a video broadcast by the Syrian News Channel today (Saturday) that the incident occurred 10 days ago when the kidnapped individuals were heading towards Sweida from the city of Sahnaia in the Damascus countryside, but he did not mention the number of kidnapped individuals who were freed.

He said: "We received a report about the kidnapping of a bus, and after diligent efforts and security follow-up in cooperation with the internal security leadership in Daraa, we were able to obtain information about the family's presence in areas inhabited by our Bedouin people."

Al-Dalati added that the incident occurred against the backdrop that those who took them had hostages inside Sweida, and that they were being subjected to extortion and could not reach their families, emphasizing that the issue of kidnapping is condemned and denounced. He confirmed that through some channels, communication was established with the kidnappers, and the hostages were safely returned to their families. He quoted the freed hostages as saying that the kidnappers treated them well, urging the need to close this file quickly. Al-Dalati called on anyone with a missing person in Sweida to approach the state, confirming that it would fulfill its responsibilities with all its efforts to ascertain their fate and return them.

Sweida has been witnessing a ceasefire since July 19 following a week-long armed clash between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes, which resulted in hundreds of casualties.

The Syrian government is making intensive efforts to maintain security since the overthrow of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, after 24 years in power.