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As part of my field research in Syria, I visited the governorate of Daraa and met with locals from the region to get their perspective on current affairs in the governorate. To my surprise, the people were upset with the Syrian government and the international community for preferring to provide aid to the Druze community in Sweida, but neglecting the Bedouin Arabs.
The escalatory dynamic in Sweida shocked many and resulted in a worrying new reality of identity clashes. However, while the world largely focuses on the fate of the Druze community, there is another side to the story: The Bedouin Arabs.
The escalation in Sweida began due to clashes between the Druze and the Bedouin, and when a preliminary agreement was reached for Sweida, the Bedouin Arab community was largely expelled from their homes and from Sweida. The Bedouin Arabs, alongside some Druze people, became internally-displaced people (IDPs) in the neighbouring governorate of Daraa.
Daraa for itself still struggles with destruction and poverty, but opened up its heart to the displaced and solidarized itself with the IDPs. According to U.N. agencies, the total number of IDPs has reached 195,723 people.
1 min read
For many Syrians in Syria, the Syrian government under Ahmad al-Sharaa prefers to aid the Druze community over supporting the mostly Bedouin IDP population. They perceive favoritism not only by state institutions, but also by international aid organizations.
They ask the following: “Is it wrong to support the Syrian government and Syria’s unity? Why is there no support for the Bedouin, while we, as ordinary civilians, are left to carry the responsibility of helping those in need?
This perception of the people of Daraa may not be entirely correct, but in Syria, perceptions matter more than actual facts.
In reality, the Syrian government and international organizations are trying to support the IDP population, but it appears that the current humanitarian aid program geared toward the Druze has to consider the Bedouin and the perception of the people of Daraa more.
If the current level of humanitarian aid and its handling remains unchanged, the Syrian government risks losing the trust and support of all sides—the Druze, the Bedouin, and the people of Daraa.
2 min read
