In the weeks following Syria’s power shift last December, at least 33 Alawite women and girls—aged between 16 and 39—have disappeared across the Tartous, Latakia, and Hama governorates, according to family accounts. Sermons, abductions and ransom demands ranging from $1,500 to $100,000 suggest a pattern of targeted kidnappings amid rising sectarian tension.

One harrowing case involved 29‑year‑old Abeer Suleiman from Safita. On May 21, her captor’s WhatsApp message bluntly said: “Don’t wait for her… she’s not coming back.” Suleiman and an alleged intermediary demanded a $15,000 ransom. Though her family transferred the funds via Turkey, the abductors disappeared.

Of the 16 detailed family interviews reviewed by Reuters, seven victims confirmed kidnappings, three were relocated beyond Syria, and nine remain missing. Most families reported inadequate police response, and Syrian authorities have offered little clarity. Local officials have attributed many cases to personal disputes or runaway brides—claims that families dispute.

This wave of disappearances has struck in areas heavily populated by Syria’s former ruling sect, the Alawites, sparking fears of systematic targeting. Some families liken the situation to past atrocities, notably those inflicted by ISIS on minorities like the Yazidis.

The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Syria is investigating the phenomenon and is expected to report on its findings to the UN Human Rights Council. Meanwhile, some victims have safely returned—though security fears prevent them from discussing their experiences openly.

By Staff Writer, Courtesy of Forbes | June 27, 2025 | Edited for WTFwire.com
Source: Reuters