**Kidnapped Women in Syria Highlight Ongoing Violence**

Hundreds of women and girls kidnapped in Syria are referred to as "sabaya," meaning "sex slaves," by their captors. These women have become victims of war, taken during a time of escalating sectarian violence and tribal conflict. In Suwayda, a district in southern Syria, many women have gone missing as the region descends further into chaos.

The situation of these kidnapped women has largely been overlooked in the West. However, it raises critical questions about the new regime of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Once a target with a $10 million bounty on his head, al-Sharaa is now being engaged by international entities, including the United Nations and the United States. The fate of the kidnapped women may reveal whether al-Sharaa is genuinely a moderate leader or still an Islamist rebel committed to radical Sharia law.

Suwayda, primarily inhabited by the Druze community, has experienced increasing violence this year, particularly since July. Tensions escalated between the Druze and Bedouin tribes, prompting al-Sharaa to deploy government forces to restore order. Local militias became involved, leading to widespread bloodshed. Amnesty International reported that both Druze men and women were deliberately targeted, with extrajudicial killings carried out by government-affiliated forces. The violence included public executions in various locations, including schools and hospitals.

A UN report highlighted that the Druze community faced killings, kidnappings, looting, and sexual violence. Armed groups also engaged in symbolic acts of humiliation, such as forcibly shaving the moustaches of Druze men. Additionally, both Druze shrines and Christian churches were destroyed, and many women went missing.

A group of UN experts expressed grave concern over the attacks against the Druze minority, noting the hateful rhetoric on social media that portrayed them as traitors and called for the abduction and enslavement of Druze women. Rev. Majed El Shafie, a human rights advocate and founder of One Free World International, reported that his organization began tracking the kidnappings at the end of last year. He stated, "The number is about 500 now. Druze, Christians, Alawites. We started hearing about markets they were sold at. They are being sold. It’s the same as the Yazidis."

The plight of the Yazidis in Iraq in 2014 drew international attention when the Islamic State (ISIL) attacked their community, capturing and enslaving around 7,000 women. The UN has documented ISIL's brutal actions, which included genocide, forced religious conversions, and widespread sexual violence against women and girls. Reports indicated that ISIL organized slave markets where Yazidi women were sold and passed between captors, often facing severe abuse.

The ongoing violence in Syria, particularly against women and minority groups, underscores the urgent need for international awareness and action. The situation in Suwayda serves as a stark reminder of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, as the fate of the kidnapped women remains uncertain amidst the turmoil.