Syrian authorities released 70 former military personnel on Friday, according to reports from the city of Latakia. The individuals, who previously served under the Assad regime, were released after investigations determined they were not involved in war crimes.
Local news outlets confirmed the release, stating that this is the first of several planned releases of detainees. No further details regarding the criteria for release or the total number of individuals expected to be freed were provided.
DZWatch has learned that the releases occurred in Latakia, a region in northwestern Syria. The move comes as the new Syrian administration continues its efforts to stabilize the country following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
In a separate incident, Syrian border patrol units apprehended 12 individuals, including former officers, attempting to cross illegally into Lebanon. The arrests took place near the town of Talkalakh, close to the Syrian-Lebanese border.
A statement released by the Ministry of Defense indicated that those arrested had ties to the former regime. Among those detained was a colonel. The individuals are expected to be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
Since the fall of the Assad regime, a significant number of former officials and military personnel have attempted to flee Syria. Several arrests have been made in recent months of individuals trying to cross into neighboring Lebanon.
The new Syrian administration continues to pursue remnants of the former regime, accusing them of destabilizing the country and disrupting efforts to rebuild the nation. The situation remains fluid as Syria navigates its transition.
DZWatch will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as they become available.
