Member of Syriac Military Council freed from Turkish captivity returns home to Gozarto, North and East Syria

GOZARTO, North and East Syria — After persistent efforts, Jamil Nidal Gerges, a fighter from the Syriac Military Council (Mawtbo Fulḥoyo Suryoyo, MFS), has returned home to his family after being illegally held in Turkish prison.

Gerges, along with two other MFS fighters, was captured by Turkish proxies of the Syrian National Army (SNA) in 2019 while defending the villages of Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ayn). The three men were then illegally transferred across the Turkish border and held in Turkish prisons where they faced trials.

A delegation from the Syriac Union Party (SUP), representing its Zalin (Qamishli) and Hasakah branches, visited Gerges and his family to congratulate them on his release and check on his well-being. They expressed joy at the return of Gerges, commending the efforts made to secure their freedom.

The release marks a significant victory for those advocating for the release of MFS detainees held by Turkish forces.