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Mira's Story: Fears of "Captive Brides" Market Emerge in Post-Assad Syria

A chilling report by Khaled al-Jeyousi for Rai al-Youm has brought to light the alarming case of "Mira," a young Syrian woman whose abduction and subsequent forced reappearance have ignited fears of an emerging public "market for female captives" (Sabaia) under the new "ex-Jihadi" regime, just five months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The incident, alongside allegations of 60 similar abductions, paints a grim picture of the future for women, particularly minorities, in the war-torn nation.

Mira's ordeal began on April 27th when she disappeared from a teacher training institute in Homs, a province with a significant Alawite population. Her father, who was waiting for her outside, lost contact and was later reportedly arrested. According to the report, a teacher at the institute is suspected of colluding with an armed faction operating in Homs to hand Mira over to her abductors.

The shock intensified when Mira reappeared in a video, visibly distressed, wearing an Afghan-style blue burqa – a stark contrast to her previous appearance as she was not veiled. Flanked by her purported new husband, who gripped her wrist tightly, she claimed to have married him willingly after consensual communication. However, the fear etched on her face and the circumstances of the video, which was promoted by the transitional authorities' "Al-Ikhbariya" TV channel as a consensual union, have fueled widespread skepticism and outrage. The channel's attempt to portray a happy "bride" failed to mask the palpable terror in Mira's eyes.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the incident as a "conspiracy" orchestrated within the institute. This case is not an isolated one. The Supreme Alawite Islamic Council, in an open letter to the United Nations, has documented 60 similar cases in recent months involving Alawite girls abducted from schools and universities, raising serious questions about the lack of investigation and accountability under the new leadership, reportedly headed by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism even from those who celebrated the previous regime's downfall. Syrian artist Yara Sabri questioned the legitimacy of the marriage, posting: "Are we, as Syrians, expected to believe this girl wasn't kidnapped? According to religious principles, is she allowed to marry without her guardian's consent?"

The rhetoric from figures within the new transitional government has further deepened anxieties. Asaad al-Shaibani, the transitional Foreign Minister, was quoted as saying after the "liberation": "We liberated a 'khateefa' (abductee/captive), and a 'khateefa' cannot ask where they are being taken. He who liberates, decides." This statement is now chillingly being interpreted by many as applying to the women of Syria.

While pro-regime voices have attempted to discredit Mira, accusing her of fabricating the incident to tarnish the new rulers' image, the terms "abductee," "captive," "follower," and "hostage" are increasingly dominating Syrian discourse. Mira's image, now known as the "captive bride," has become a symbol of solidarity on social media.

The official narrative peddled by the new authorities in Damascus attempts to frame Mira's story as a consensual love affair culminating in marriage across sectarian lines, with security forces merely "protecting" the bride. However, for many Syrians, Mira's terrified face, dragged by the wrist, symbolizes a horrifying new chapter where the question "What country is left?" looms larger than ever.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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