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Article snippet: DAMASCUS, Syria — The Syrian government on Saturday released hundreds of detainees, including some who had backed the insurgency against President Bashar al-Assad, on the eve of a major Muslim holiday. Justice Minister Hisham al-Shaar said the 672 people who were released included 91 women. He said 588 were freed in the capital, Damascus. Mr. Shaar added that the release was a bid to “sustain national reconciliations efforts and the homeland’s unity.” The detainees were set free on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the feast that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Syrian authorities usually release detainees on major holidays. Tens of thousands of people have been detained since the Syrian war began in March 2011. The conflict has killed about 400,000 people and displaced half the country’s population. Syrian government forces have been gaining ground across the country under the cover of Russian airstrikes and now control the five largest cities. The push has led to so-called reconciliations in areas around Syria in which opposition fighters either surrendered in exchange for amnesty or moved to rebel-held areas in the north. Among those released in Damascus was Abdul-al-Rahman Ali, 45, who used to finance opposition fighters. “I was wrong and every person makes mistakes,” Mr. Ali said. “I have repented and returned to embrace my homeland.” A woman who identified herself as Umm Akram wiped away her tears as she waited for her son, who had been jailed for m... Link to the full article to read more