The kidnapping of Bab Al-Hara producer Mohammed Qabandi rocks the artistic community in Damascus.

The Syrian art community was shocked when Ayham Qabnoud, director of Ayham Qabnoud Media, announced that his father, the well-known producer Mohammed Qabnoud, owner of the franchise for the series “Bab Al-Hara,” had been mysteriously kidnapped. Qabnoud was taken on Wednesday evening, September 17, 2025, from his office in the Damascus countryside by unknown individuals disguised as security personnel, using two cars to carry out the operation. His son confirmed that the family had contacted the General Security from the very first moment, but his fate remains unknown to this day.

Statement by the Syrian Ministry of Interior

Following the incident, the Syrian Ministry of Interior issued an official statement revealing that initial investigations indicated that the operation was carried out by a gang impersonating security personnel for the purpose of financial extortion and tarnishing the ministry's image. The statement confirmed that the relevant security authorities are closely monitoring the case and are working to pursue those involved to apprehend and bring them to justice, reassuring the public that efforts are ongoing to resolve the case.

Interaction of the artistic community

The incident did not go unnoticed in the artistic community, as a number of artists expressed their concern and solidarity with Qabnoud's family. Artist Qassem Melho wrote a comment on Qabnoud's photo on his Instagram story: "Some said he was kidnapped... others said he was arrested... Anyway, since yesterday, there has been no news about him." Artist Adnan Abu Al-Shamat also called for Qabnoud's safe return on Facebook, in a message that reflects the anxiety and controversy the incident has sparked among artists and the public alike.

The company's work in the drama season

Despite these worrying developments, Qabnoud Company was preparing to enter the current drama season with a number of highly anticipated productions, most notably “The King’s Family,” “The Orphan,” and “The Fully Loaded.” The absence of producer Mohammed Qabnoud has raised numerous questions about the fate of these drama projects and the company’s future should the crisis continue. However, the artistic community and the public are hopeful that the ordeal will soon end and Qabnoud will return to resume his production career.