Artist Diala Salhi Al-Wadi Victim of a Horrific Murder in Damascus

The hand of crime intruded into the home of artist Diala Salhi Al-Wadi, daughter of the late Iraqi musician Salhi Al-Wadi, in the upscale Al-Malki neighborhood of the capital Damascus, where she was subjected to an armed attack on Sunday evening that led to her strangulation in a shocking crime that shook the Syrian artistic and cultural community.

According to official sources, the perpetrator chased Diala to the entrance of her home before breaking in and committing his brutal crime, then seizing cash and gold jewelry before fleeing.

The "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights" confirmed that the incident occurred violently and for the purpose of theft, while the Criminal Investigation Department began investigating and collecting evidence to uncover the circumstances of the incident and apprehend the perpetrator.

Diala Al-Wadi, who holds both British and Iraqi citizenship, lived in Damascus for years and was one of the prominent artistic faces, having participated in several theatrical performances and television works.

She was a graduate of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, class of 1986, among a generation that included prominent names such as the late Hatem Ali, Ghassan Massoud, and Dalal Al-Rahbi.

The daughter of the great musician Salhi Al-Wadi, founder of the Higher Institute of Music and the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, carried a significant artistic and cultural legacy, as her father is considered one of the most prominent figures in modern Arab music, enriching the Syrian and Arab artistic scene by training generations of musicians.

The incident left a deep shock in the artistic community, where many artists mourned her, including artist Shukran Murtaja, who described her as a dear friend and the daughter of the maestro, praying for her mercy and patience for her family and loved ones.

Artist Qassem Malhouf expressed his deep sorrow, confirming that Diala was "a breath of elegance and manners," offering condolences to her family and her classmates at the institute.

For his part, artist Maher Sleibi expressed his deep regret for the loss of his friend and classmate, pointing to the memories of the smile and warmth that Diala possessed, expressing his great sadness for losing her in such a painful way.

The relevant authorities continue their investigations and evidence collection, emphasizing the need for accuracy and not succumbing to rumors circulating on social media, and waiting for the release of official information.

So far, no official details have been announced regarding the funeral or condolences, amid anticipation for more results from the investigations.