The Syrian Interior Ministry said a committee reviewing 42 reports of Abduction of Alawite women and girls found just one confirmed kidnapping; the girl was returned safely. The panel categorized the remaining 41 cases as romantic elopements, temporary absences, escapes from domestic violence, false social-media reports, extortion/prostitution incidents, or cases where women were detained as suspects. Amnesty International had earlier reported credible accounts of multiple abductions in Latakia, Tartus, Homs and Hama. Authorities say investigations continue and urged that any suspected incidents be reported to the Interior Ministry.
Syrian Probe Finds Most Reported Kidnappings of Alawite Women Unfounded
The Syrian Interior Ministry said a committee reviewing 42 reports of Abduction of Alawite women and girls found just one confirmed kidnapping; the girl was returned safely. The panel categorized the remaining 41 cases as romantic elopements, temporary absences, escapes from domestic violence, false social-media reports, extortion/prostitution incidents, or cases where women were detained as suspects. Amnesty International had earlier reported credible accounts of multiple abductions in Latakia, Tartus, Homs and Hama. Authorities say investigations continue and urged that any suspected incidents be reported to the Interior Ministry.
18:41, 02.11.2025Conflict
Syrian committee says most reported abductions were not confirmed
Damascus, Syria — A government-led committee has concluded that the majority of 42 reports that Alawite women and girls were kidnapped during March unrest were unfounded, the Interior Ministry announced on Sunday.
Syria's Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said the panel, established in July, interviewed the women and girls involved and reviewed evidence. The inquiry determined there was only one confirmed kidnapping; the girl was returned safely after a security investigation and authorities said they are continuing efforts to identify the perpetrators.
“In the one confirmed kidnapping case, the girl was safely returned after security agencies investigated the matter. The search continues to identify the perpetrators,” al-Baba said at a news briefing.
Human rights group Amnesty International had earlier reported that it received credible accounts of several dozen Alawite women and girls being seized across the coastal provinces of Latakia, Tartus, Homs and Hama.
The committee provided a breakdown of the remaining 41 cases it reviewed:
- 12 cases involved women who left with romantic partners;
- 9 were temporary absences with relatives or friends;
- 6 involved women fleeing domestic violence;
- 6 were false reports circulating on social media;
- 4 involved extortion or prostitution-related situations;
- 4 were cases in which the women were identified as suspects in criminal offenses and were detained by security agencies.
The disturbances began after clashes between armed groups and government security forces. The ensuing counter-insurgency reportedly descended into sectarian reprisals and massacres that killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite minority, the sect to which former President Bashar Assad belongs.
Officials said the violence represents one of several challenges facing Damascus under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s administration as it seeks to restore order and revive the battered economy.
Al-Baba urged citizens, civil society groups and human rights organizations to report any suspected incidents to the Interior Ministry so they can be properly investigated.