The Government Security Command announced the release of a number of kidnapped civilians in Sweida Governorate and their return to their families, approximately 10 days after their abduction.
In a statement broadcast by the Syrian News Channel on Saturday, the commander of the Internal Security Forces in Sweida, Brigadier General Ahmed al-Dalati, said that the kidnapped individuals were traveling from the city of Sahnaya in the Damascus countryside towards Sweida when their bus was hijacked.
Dalati explained that Internal Security units were mobilized immediately upon receiving the report, and in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces Command in Daraa, information was obtained about the whereabouts of the kidnapped individuals held by a Bedouin group.
He indicated that the kidnapping was part of a mutual extortion operation between the kidnappers and parties within Sweida, stressing that the state "condemns and denounces all kidnappings."
He added, "We were able, through private communication channels, to reach an agreement with the kidnappers and return the civilians safely to their families." He noted that the freed individuals confirmed that they "received good treatment" during their detention.
Al-Dalati called on all relatives of missing persons in Sweida to approach the official authorities, "who will do their utmost to uncover their fate and return them."
Sweida Governorate has witnessed relative calm since July 19, following a ceasefire agreement that ended a week of armed clashes between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes that left hundreds dead and wounded.
Zaman Al-Wasl
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.