The Foreign Desk Explainer 477: What is behind the violence in Syria?
Jul 23, 2025
Tensions flare in post-Assad Syria as Andrew Mueller delves into violent clashes between Druze and Bedouin communities. The discussion highlights the rise of Ahmed al-Shara amid growing extremism and the deep-rooted power struggles shaping the region. Explore the historical autonomy of the Druze and the ongoing instability that defines their landscape, painting a vivid picture of a complex and tumultuous aftermath.
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Hope After Assad's Fall
- The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December sparked hopeful optimism amid Syria's long war destruction.
- His rule oversaw immense loss: half a million dead and over 12 million displaced.
Syria's New Leader's Past
- Syria's new president Ahmed al-Shara is a former Al-Qaeda leader, raising doubts about the future.
- His rise questions Syria's shift towards liberal democracy after Assad's fall.
Violence in Suweda
- Suweda's clashes reveal deep-rooted tensions between Druze and Bedouin Syrians.
- The violence caused hundreds of deaths and massive displacement despite ceasefire efforts.