The Council of Families of Martyrs and Prisoners in Kobanê demanded the release of prisoners of war held by the Syrian transitional government. During a rally at the Free Woman Square on Wednesday, relatives also called for the remains of fallen fighters to be returned to their families.
Participants carried photos of the detainees as well as banners with slogans such as “Where is my father?”, “I want my child back,” and “Freedom for the prisoners.” During the rally, a statement by the council was also read aloud. The organization addressed the international public: “We stand for peace and security. Our message to the peoples of the world is this: We want our relatives back. They should be released and allowed to return to their city and their families.”
According to the council, hundreds of people from Kobanê and the surrounding areas remain in detention and have not yet been released. Those affected were abducted in January during the offensive against the autonomous administration of northeast Syria by forces of the transitional government and their proxy militias.
The statement emphasized that, in light of the integration process in Syria, the current situation can only be resolved through the release of the prisoners. Such a decision, they said, would also reduce the pressure on the city of Kobanê, which is still partially under siege. With regard to the ongoing month of Ramadan, the families demanded that all prisoners be released before Eid al-Fitr so they can spend the holiday together with their families.
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