Despite the denial by the Interior Ministry affiliated with the authorities that Alawite women had been abducted, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry confirmed that violations—most of which targeted Alawite women and girls—continued throughout 2025, including cases of abduction and sexual violence documented by the Commission in several Syrian governorates.
The Commission investigated 21 cases of abducted women, including four girls, in the governorates of Damascus, Rural Damascus, Latakia, Tartous, Hama, and Homs. In most cases, the perpetrators were unidentified armed individuals or organized criminal groups. Investigations are also underway into credible information indicating the involvement of foreign fighters affiliated with factions linked to the Ministry of Defense in the abduction of Syrian women.
The report also noted that the abductions targeted women and girls, particularly from Alawite communities, and often took place in broad daylight in streets and markets, creating widespread fear within these communities. In some cases, women and girls stopped attending school or began wearing the hijab to avoid being identified as belonging to minority communities.
According to the report, a number of abducted women were subjected to sexual violence, including rape, forced marriage, and gang rape. The Commission documented that at least eight abducted women were subjected to such abuses before some were later released. Cases were also recorded in which victims were beaten and subjected to sectarian insults during their detention.
Despite receiving reports about the abductions, these incidents occurred in a broader context of violence and instability in Syria, including the targeting of members of the Alawite community due to their actual or perceived association with the former government or because of their religious identity. Many women and girls were subjected to sectarian insults by their captors, and at least five victims were interrogated about their knowledge of Islam and forced to perform religious rituals or wear the niqab during their captivity.
The authorities’ response varied between opening limited investigations and discouraging families from pursuing or publicizing the cases. Security officials in some instances resorted to threatening victims in order to prevent them from continuing legal action or speaking publicly about the incidents. In two cases, the victims themselves were re-arrested after their release and subjected to investigations or trials on charges related to public morality.
At the same time, Syrian feminist organizations indicate that independent monitoring of these violations remains ongoing. The Syrian Women’s Lobby has documented a number of cases of women and girls being abducted since the beginning of these incidents and continues to collect testimonies and information about them. The organization also works to communicate with UN bodies and international human rights organizations to convey these findings and demand follow-up through international investigative mechanisms concerning violations targeting women in Syria.
The Commission’s report also refers to waves of violence affecting minority communities, including Alawites and Druze, accompanied by patterns of targeting based on religious, sectarian, ethnic, and gender identity. These violations included killings, forced displacement, and destruction of property, targeting Alawites, Druze, and Bedouin communities. This resulted in large-scale displacement and created a climate of fear and distrust toward the new authorities.
The report further states that civilians were subjected to arbitrary detention and violations of their rights to humanitarian and personal protection. Widespread and overlapping violations involving killings and torture were documented and were described as abuses that may amount to war crimes, and if further investigations confirm the necessary elements, they could amount to crimes against humanity.
The report emphasizes that the process of establishing the army and security forces was not subjected to human rights vetting or adequate training, which contributed to the violations that occurred in the coastal region and in Sweida.
It also noted that concerns about impunity have been reinforced by the integration of factions known for committing human rights violations, creating an environment conducive to the recurrence of abuses and the violence that occurred in March and July.
The Commission also documented other violations such as arbitrary arrest, torture, and ill-treatment in detention centers, where detainees were held without judicial warrants or the possibility of challenging their detention. Some detainees were subjected to beatings, electric shocks, and degrading insults.
The report raises concerns regarding the independence of the judicial system, noting information that individuals who lacked the required legal qualifications were appointed as heads of courts. This step has raised concerns because it may affect judicial independence and the clarity of authority within the new judicial system. The report stresses that reforming the judiciary and transforming it into an institution capable of protecting the rights of Syrians is a fundamental condition for achieving accountability and preventing the recurrence of violations.
In the political sphere, the report also highlights that women’s participation in decision-making remains extremely limited, with only one woman appointed to a ministerial position. The report considers that the continuation of such limited representation reflects a significant gap in women’s political participation after years of conflict that had already deepened gender inequality in Syria.