Around 60% of women abducted during sectarian attacks in Syria’s Hama countryside and Homs last year remain missing, according to a report by the Syrian Feminist Lobby. The organization documented 82 abductions in 2025, with 90% of the victims being women aged 15 to 40, and only 40% of those abducted have been released. The report highlights that many of the released women endured violence and extortion during captivity, and it indicates that the collapse of state institutions has created a culture of impunity, enabling violence against women, particularly from minority communities like the Druze and Alawite. Families of the abducted have reported receiving threats to cease their search efforts, and some women were coerced into divorce or forced marriages. The report also describes the broader implications of using women as political leverage, revealing the intersection of gendered violence and sectarian targeting.
Why It Matters
The abduction of women in Syria is a reflection of the ongoing human rights crisis exacerbated by civil conflict and the breakdown of law and order. The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has led to widespread violence and displacement, with minority groups facing heightened risks of targeted violence. Historical patterns show that sexual violence is often utilized as a tool of war, affecting both individual victims and their communities. The lack of effective governmental response to these crimes further entrenches a cycle of violence and fear, limiting women’s access to justice and compounding social and economic vulnerabilities for survivors.
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