Syria Releases 48 More Female Prisoners

Damascus freed 48 more women detainees, taking to 61 the number of the prisoners released so far as a part of a three-way prisoner exchange.The nine pilgrims, who were abducted in May 2012 by Syria militants, were released last Saturday in exchange for two Turkish pilots held in Lebanon since August.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in London, said on Thursday that the women were freed over the past two days.
There was no immediate comment from Syrian officials.

The release of scores of female detainees held in government jails formed part of the deal brokered by Turkey, Qatar and Palestinian Authority.

The women’s release was the main demand of kidnappers in northern Syria who had held nine Lebanese men hostage for 17 months.

The nine pilgrims, who were abducted in May 2012 by Syria militants, were released last Saturday in exchange for two Turkish pilots held in Lebanon since August.

The Turkish pilots were abducted to put pressure on a country they believe holds sway with the opposition. Turkey hosts many opposition groups and has generally kept its border open to the insurgents.