Kidnap, Murder, Where are they?
Across the world, the chilling reality of genocide against minorities continues to haunt our conscience. In Syria, entire communities have been uprooted, families torn apart, and lives extinguished in acts of unspeakable brutality. Women and children are kidnapped, their whereabouts unknown, while the specter of systematic murder hangs heavy over marginalized groups such as the Alites, Shia, Yazidis, Kurds, and Christian minorities. Whether fueled by ethnic hatred, political agendas, or religious intolerance, these atrocities serve as stark reminders of humanity's capacity for cruelty—and our failure, as a global society, to protect the vulnerable. The stories of these victims are often buried under layers of indifference, leaving us with the harrowing question: Where are they?
Genocide is not merely a historical occurrence but an ongoing tragedy. In Syria, minorities face relentless persecution amid a backdrop of civil war and extremist violence. Their voices are silenced through violence, their culture erased, and their existence denied. These heinous acts demand accountability, but justice remains elusive for many victims. As the world watches, often in silence, we are compelled to confront our collective responsibility. How many more lives must be lost before the international community takes decisive action? It is time to amplify the voices of the silenced, seek justice for the disappeared, and ensure that "never again" truly means never again.
Recent Cases of Kidnappings in Minority Areas
December 14, 2024
Two young men, Khader Nizar Al-Hussein (a PhD student) and Ali Faisal Al-Naqri (a university student), were abducted in the Al-Madaba' neighborhood of Homs. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
04/01/2025:
HTS affiliates abducted Basil Ramadan Al-Hamoud on Al-Sitteen Street in the Al-Zahraa neighborhood in Homs. His whereabouts remain unknown. (Pictured first)
January 7, 2025
Samer Hamza Al-Soliman was abducted in the Sitteen Street area of Homs. His car, bearing the number plate of 408674 was also stolen during the incident.
January 9, 2025
Yusha Ali was stopped and abducted along the Homs-Damascus Highway. Yusha hails from the village of Deir Al-Salib in Masyaf.
January 12, 2025
Firas Hassan Saad Al-Din was abducted in the Al-Waleed suburb of Homs.
January 13, 2025:
Muhannad Hafez was killed by HTS affiliates in Tartous, Al Jubeh Village.
January 14, 2025:
HTS-affiliated forces killed Mahmoud Ibrahim Dallah in Tartous.
15/01/2025:
HTS affiliates abducted Hassan Ghassan Karmo in the Abbasiya neighborhood in Homs while he was heading to work at a bakery near Hussein Al-Halani School.
These are only a few of the countless documented cases of abductions and brutal murders targeting men and women from minority communities in Syria. Each instance represents not just an attack on individuals but a calculated attempt to dismantle the fabric of these marginalized groups. The disappearance and killing of fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters leave families shattered and entire communities struggling to survive under the weight of fear, grief, and uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones.
“If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity.” Albert Einstein
