In Syria, Kidnappings of Women and Girls Fuel a Minority Group’s Fears

A New York Times investigation has found that kidnappings of women and girls from Syria's Alawite minority group are occurring at higher rates and with greater violence than the Syrian government has publicly disclosed. The Alawites, a religious minority that has held significant power under the Assad regime, have become targets in a pattern of abductions that the government has downplayed. These kidnappings reflect deepening sectarian tensions in Syria and fuel fears among the Alawite community about their security and future in the country. The investigation suggests a systematic pattern of violence against a specific religious group, raising questions about both the scale of the problem and the government's transparency regarding abductions. The findings underscore the vulnerability of minorities in Syria's fractured post-conflict environment, where lawlessness and sectarian violence persist despite Assad's military victories.