On October 8, 2025, 13-year-old Mohammad Haidar was abducted in broad daylight outside Jamal Dawood School in Latakia, Syria. Four armed men in a blue Hyundai Santa Fe intercepted him as he was entering the school, taking him away in full view of witnesses and other students.

The kidnapping occurred in a neighborhood presumed to be secure, near a local security post, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of local law enforcement.

Family Background

Mohammad Haidar hails from a prominent Alawite family. His father, Dr. Qais Haidar, is a university professor, and his mother is a schoolteacher. The family's well-known status in Latakia has intensified the community's concern and outrage over the abduction.

Community Response

Protests and Strikes

The day after the kidnapping, residents of the Tenth Project neighborhood organized a sit-in protest demanding the release of Mohammad Haidar. Citizens expressed outrage over the lack of response from local authorities. The protests have since spread to other Alawite-majority areas, including Homs and Tartous, with participants carrying photos of the boy and demanding authorities act swiftly.

In addition to the protests, a general strike was observed, with shops closing and parents refraining from sending their children to school. This collective action highlights the deepening fear and frustration within the Alawite community regarding the escalating violence and insecurity.

Social Media Campaign

A social media campaign demanding information on Mohammad Haidar's whereabouts continues to gain traction, with citizens using hashtags and sharing images to keep attention on the case.

Official Response

The Syrian Justice Archive (SJT) reported that armed men linked to the General Security forces, driving a silver Hyundai Santa Fe, carried out the abduction. However, the identities of the perpetrators remain unknown, and the authorities have not intervened to rescue the child.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has called on the authorities to act immediately to reveal the child's fate and ensure a safe environment for all students and teachers in Syria.

Broader Context

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of kidnappings and sectarian violence targeting the Alawite community in western Syria. The abduction of Mohammad Haidar follows the killing of Alawite teacher Liyal Dammar Ghreib in Homs Province on October 7, 2025, and other similar attacks in recent months.

The lack of effective security measures and the failure to prosecute offenders have emboldened criminal elements, while the silence of official institutions has fueled public frustration.

Conclusion

The kidnapping of Mohammad Haidar has left his family in anguish and sparked widespread protests and strikes across western Syria. The community’s demand for justice underscores the urgent need for effective security measures and a commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of sectarian affiliation.

The fate of Mohammad Haidar remains uncertain, and the community continues to advocate for accountability and safety.

Resources

• Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: https://www.syriahr.com/en/371348/
• Press TV: Alawite community protests kidnappings: https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/10/10/756628/Syria-Alawite-community-abductions-HTS-militants-Latakia
• Al Mayadeen English: https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/latakia-child-abduction-sparks-school-strike--outrage
• Tasnim News: https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2025/10/10/3420023/alawites-protest-hts-abductions-killings-in-western-syria