What in the World

Syria: What’s behind the Druze-Bedouin conflict?


Listen Later

Violence has flared up again in Syria, this time in the southern province of Suweida. Fighting has broken out between the government forces and two minority groups: the Druze and the Bedouins. It’s not the first time that the stability of the country has been shaken since the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad last December. But it signals the challenges the new government faces - not just from internal violence, but from its neighbours. Israel launched air strikes on Suweida and the Syrian capital, Damascus, and says it will only hold a US-backed ceasefire if the Druze are protected. So, what’s behind this conflict - and what does it mean for the future of Syria?

We speak to BBC Monitoring journalist Tess Mallinder Heron, to explain who the different groups involved in the fighting are and what’s behind the dispute. And we hear from our BBC Middle East Correspondent in Damascus, Lina Sinjab, who tells us what life has been like for people in Syria since the fall of Assad’s regime - and how the new government is trying to maintain control in Syria.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld

WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates
Editor: Verity Wilde

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

What in the WorldBy BBC World Service

  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2

4.2

15 ratings


More shows like What in the World

View all
TED Talks Daily by TED

TED Talks Daily

11,183 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,722 Listeners

Business Daily by BBC World Service

Business Daily

529 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,806 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,818 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,065 Listeners

Learning English Vocabulary by BBC Radio

Learning English Vocabulary

533 Listeners

Learning English Stories by BBC Radio

Learning English Stories

390 Listeners

The Conversation by BBC World Service

The Conversation

72 Listeners

Learning English Grammar by BBC Radio

Learning English Grammar

325 Listeners

Learning English from the News by BBC Radio

Learning English from the News

266 Listeners

The Global Story by BBC World Service

The Global Story

288 Listeners

Learning English For Work by BBC News

Learning English For Work

47 Listeners

The Explanation by BBC World Service

The Explanation

26 Listeners

Learning Easy English by BBC

Learning Easy English

120 Listeners