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.