The Syrian government released a number of detainees affiliated with the Islamist-oriented Hizb ut-Tahrir party who had been imprisoned in Idlib (northwestern Syria) on Monday, February 16.
Abdo al-Dali, a member of the media office of Hizb ut-Tahrir, Wilayah Syria, confirmed to Enab Baladi that several party members detained in Idlib had been freed, most notably Ahmad Abdel Wahab, head of the party’s media office in Syria.
Al-Dali said the release of the party members was “not just passing news, but a restoration of rights to their rightful place and a rebalancing of justice,” according to his description.
He added that “long years have passed during which the young men and their families endured much hardship. The scene changed several times, the youth were deprived of participating in the battle of liberation, yet steadfastness remained the main headline,” as he put it.
Soufan: Ahead of Ramadan
For his part, Hassan Soufan, a member of the Civil Peace Committee, said that the largest batch of long-held detainees from Idlib province had been released, describing it as a “humanitarian gesture that restored joy to their homes ahead of the blessed month of Ramadan.”
In a post on the X platform, Soufan thanked the Ministers of Justice and Interior for the decision, considering it an embodiment of “the state’s balance between firmness and mercy.”
At the same time, he said that “the state is moving forward in consolidating the rule of law and holding accountable all those proven guilty in accordance with the path of transitional justice, while at the same time doing justice to those who do not deserve to remain behind bars, in order to protect civil peace and safeguard the stability of the homeland.”
He added that what is hoped for from all Syrians is to strengthen awareness and responsibility in respecting state laws, rally around its institutions, and engage in sincere solidarity in rebuilding the country and preserving its security, safety, and stability.
Enab Baladi was unable to determine the number of those released or verify the direct reason behind their release. Media relations in Idlib province did not respond to these inquiries by the time of publication.
Party opposed to HTS
Hizb ut-Tahrir was one of the most prominent groups that participated in the movement opposing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the nucleus of the current political and military authority in Syria, which began in 2023 and peaked in 2024.
During the movement, many party members were arrested despite its peaceful nature. The party does not have an armed wing.
Among its most prominent demands was reopening military fronts against the former Syrian regime, which had largely stalled after 2020 due to international understandings and the region’s inclusion within the Astana agreements.
Since the fall of the former regime on December 8, 2024, party members and relatives of detainees have staged several protests demanding a general amnesty.
What is Hizb ut-Tahrir?
Hizb ut-Tahrir describes itself as “a political party founded in 1953 whose ideology is Islam and whose work is politics. It works to resume Islamic life and carry the call to the world.” The party does not focus its activity on a specific country, does not recognize the nation-state, and considers the entire world a suitable arena for Islamic advocacy.
There are no official statistics on the party’s membership, though it claims to have “millions” of members worldwide.
In Syria, the party’s activities were concentrated in opposition-held areas following the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, particularly in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
The party’s activities are limited to religious outreach through publications and in-person or remote lectures.
