Syrian Inquiry Finds Most Allegations of Kidnapped Alawite Women False
A Syrian government-led investigation determined that most reports of Alawite women being kidnapped were untrue. The inquiry's findings, released Sunday, followed months of examination led by state authorities.
Findings of the Investigation
According to Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba, the committee reviewed 42 cases of alleged kidnappings during violent clashes in Syria's coastal provinces in March. Only one case was confirmed as an actual abduction.
“In the one confirmed kidnapping case, the girl was safely returned after security agencies investigated the matter. The search continues to identify the perpetrators,” said Noureddine al-Baba.
The committee, established in July, interviewed the women and girls involved in the reports to clarify the circumstances of each case.
Case Breakdown
- 12 cases involved women leaving voluntarily with romantic partners.
- 9 were temporary absences with relatives or friends.
- 6 cases were related to escaping domestic abuse.
- 6 were found to be false claims made on social media.
- 4 cases involved extortion or prostitution.
- 4 were linked to women engaged in criminal activity later detained by authorities.
Other Reports and Context
Amnesty International stated in July that it had received credible information about dozens of Alawite women and girls allegedly kidnapped in Latakia, Tartus, Homs, and Hama. The official Syrian investigation, however, found nearly all such reports to be unfounded.
The incidents were tied to violence that erupted when armed factions loyal to former Syrian President Bashar Assad clashed with government forces.
Author’s Summary
The Syrian government investigation dismissed most reported abductions of Alawite women as false, confirming only one genuine kidnapping case after months of review.