Syria denies Algeria’s appeal for prisoner release, escalating diplomatic discord
Syria has firmly declined Algeria’s request to release Algerian soldiers and Polisario fighters who were captured during the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. According to French broadcaster Monte Carlo Doualiya, citing its correspondent in Damascus, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa turned down the appeal made by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf to free the detainees.
The Algerian minister had traveled to Syria just three days prior to meet with the new president. However, his visit was met with little attention from Syria's official media, contrasting sharply with the reception given to other foreign dignitaries, as reported by Moroccan media.
Monte Carlo Doualiya confirmed that the captured individuals had been fighting alongside Assad's forces near Aleppo. They were apprehended by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) during their offensive in late November, an event that accelerated the fall of the Assad regime.
President Al-Sharaa informed the Algerian minister that the detainees—including Algerian officers, around 500 Algerian soldiers, and Polisario fighters—would face trial alongside Assad’s forces. He emphasized that all would be treated in accordance with international standards for prisoners of war.
This refusal has stirred visible unease, as evidenced by the Algerian foreign minister’s statements, highlighting increased tensions between Algiers and Damascus.
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