The interior ministry confirmed that only one of 42 reported kidnapping cases in the coastal provinces since early this year was found to be genuine, following a months-long investigation ordered by Minister of Interior in July.
Speaking at a press conference in Damascus, ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said the investigation was launched in July “out of the ministry’s duty to maintain public security and order” after social media posts claimed widespread abductions of women and girls in the coastal region.
The committee, which met over a three-month period through September 10, reviewed reports from Lattakia, Tartous, Homs and Hama and verified each case through police records, family interviews, and site visits.
According to the ministry’s summary, the findings included 12 voluntary elopements, nine short absences under 48 hours, six domestic-violence runaways, six false claims on social media, four cases involving extortion or prostitution, and four criminal incidents already under judicial process.
Only one case was confirmed as an actual kidnapping; the victim was safely recovered, and investigations continue to identify those responsible.
“Of the 42 reports examined, 41 were found not to be kidnapping incidents,” said interior ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba.
Al-Baba affirmed that the safety of citizens, particularly women and vulnerable groups, remains a top priority for the ministry, urging the public “not to circulate rumors and to verify information before sharing it.”
