The United States is mediating talks between Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Suwayda, and Syrian authorities, focusing on a detainee file.

The proposed arrangement would see Damascus release 61 civilians from Suwayda in exchange for the “National Guard” freeing 30 members of the defense and interior ministries.

The initiative follows deadly tensions that erupted in southern Syria last July.