Maria’s Note: Syrian Rebels Swap 48 Iranian for 2130 Government Prisoners

According to Iranian state TV, Syrian rebels have freed 48 Iranian hostages kidnapped by Syrian rebel groups in August 2012, in the road that goes from the airport to the city of Damascus. 

According to the Turkish aid agency IHH (Humanitarian Relief Foundation), which is coordinating the negotiation, the deal between the two parts will involve the liberation of approximately 2130 prisoners, including children and women, Syrian and some Turks, held by Syrian security services. 

A spokesman for the Syrian rebels confirmed on Wednesday that the hostages had been freed. However, until now, neither the Syrian government nor Iranian state TV have confirmed the news of their release.

The Turkish state news agency, Anadolu, assured that Qatar and Turkey, two strong critics of Assad’s government, were mediating the deal.

Syrian rebels claimed the hostages kidnapped were part of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and were therefore, working on behalf of Assad’s government. However Iran, one of Assad’s main supporters, denied the accusations and insisted that the group Shi’ite pilgrims visiting a Shia shrine in the 

south of the capital, among them a number of retired members of the armed forces.