Syria’s Defense Minister urges SDF to stop arbitrary arrests of civilians in Hasakah

Syria’s Minister of Defense, Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, urged the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to stop arbitrary arrests of civilians in Hasakah Province, warning that these actions threaten the ceasefire agreement.

The Minister told SANA, “Less than a day after the ceasefire came into force, the SDF began carrying out arbitrary arrests in Hasakah Province,” adding that these detentions of dozens of local residents “pose a serious threat to the ceasefire as a whole.” He called on the SDF to “immediately cease these arbitrary arrests and release all detainees without delay.”

The Syrian Presidency announced Tuesday that a joint understanding had been reached between the Syrian government and the SDF on several issues related to the future of Hasakah Province. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense declared a ceasefire across all operational sectors of the Syrian Arab Army for four days in compliance with the understanding.