Khaberni - The Syrian Ministry of Information denied allegations by the "New York Times" report on the abduction of Alawite women, describing it as a narrative without evidence that ignores official investigative efforts.
The "New York Times" conducted an investigation based on dozens of interviews with Alawites who said they were abducted, their relatives, and others involved in their cases, and found that such abductions were common and often brutal.
The Ministry’s Accusations Against the Report
The Syrian Ministry of Information accused the newspaper's report on abductions of relying on undocumented narrative, and jumping to conclusions that portray the events as sectarian targeting without evidence.
Government’s Commitment to Investigation
The Ministry stated in a statement today Saturday: "The government takes seriously all reports related to kidnapping or disappearance cases, and it is committed to protecting citizens of all sects, ethnicities, and religious affiliations. Each complaint is meticulously studied by the competent authorities. In this context, the Ministry of Interior established last July a special investigation committee to look into the complaints and allegations related to kidnappings."
Criticism of the Report's Methodology
The Ministry explained that "New York Times" presented its report as investigative work, yet it appeared more like a fictional narrative rather than professional investigative journalism, with most of the evidence based on anonymous testimonials or unverified accounts, without any clear connection to the mentioned files.
Official Results of the Syrian Investigation
The investigative committee within the Ministry of Interior announced the results of its work in a press conference held in November, confirming there was no evidence of systematic kidnappings targeting women or any component of the Syrian society.
Fleihan: Sectarian Revenge Drives Kidnapping Operations
In a statement to the American newspaper, Reema Fleihan, the executive director of the nonprofit organization "Syrian Women's Lobby" which monitors kidnapping cases, said that sectarian revenge motivates kidnapping operations.
She added: "It is systematic and targets this community. They are trying to weaken the society."
Fleihan confirmed that "the Syrian Women's Lobby" has counted 80 Alawite women and girls who have disappeared since early 2025. She said that 26 of the cases were confirmed abductions, including women who suffered physical or psychological assaults.
She continued: "10 of them returned home, three are still missing, and the situation of the other thirteen remains unclear."
