The Syrian Civil War Pt.2 – The Kurds Rise Up

36 snips

Feb 26, 2025

Rani Hamadeh, a Syrian Kurd with a decade of experience in conflict data analysis, shares his gripping story of life under siege in Aleppo and Afrin. He dives into the historical context of Kurdish nationalism, exploring the interplay between Kurdish and Arab identities. The discussion highlights the cultural repression faced by Kurds and the rise of political consciousness amidst systemic oppression. With insights into the complexities of Kurdish politics during the Syrian Civil War, Rani challenges stereotypes and sheds light on the multifaceted Kurdish experience.

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ANECDOTE

Thomas's Afrin Encounter

Thomas Small visited Afrin province in 2007, where he encountered Kurdish border patrol officers.
They showed him great hospitality, but quietly revealed their Kurdish identity due to political sensitivities.

ANECDOTE

Religious Diversity in Afrin

Rani Hamadeh's village, Qatma, has Zoroastrians and a separate Zoroastrian cemetery.
His grandmother also converted to Islam from Yazidism, showcasing religious diversity within Kurdish communities.

INSIGHT

Origins of Kurdish Nationalism

Kurdish nationalism's roots lie in Istanbul during the late Ottoman period when a Kurdish intelligentsia began theorizing it.
The formation of modern nation-states and their embrace of Arab nationalism further fueled Kurdish nationalism.

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This week on Conflicted, we begin in earnest our retrospective on the Syrian Civil War, where we will be inviting actual Syrians from a multitude of different perspectives, to tell us about their experiences of the war.

After setting the scene with our old friend Wassim Nasr last time, over our upcoming episodes, we’ll be creating a kind of narrative history for you, our listeners, as we make sense of this most complex of conflicts from as many angles as we can.

In this episode, Thomas invites on Syrian Kurd Ronnie Hamada to delve into the complexities of the Syrian Civil War, focusing on the Kurdish experience and setting the scene with their historical identity.

Ronnie has been working in data and analysis of conflicts in Syria and the wider Middle East for the past 10 years, working alongside journalists and NGOs to map conflicts and combat misinformation, and his story of life under siege in Aleppo and Afrin is an extraordinary one… They explore the historical context of Kurdish nationalism, the impact of Arab nationalism, and the political dynamics within Kurdish communities in Syria. Ronnie shares his personal story and insights, highlighting the challenges faced by Kurds, including statelessness and cultural repression and the intricate dynamics of Kurdish identity and politics in Syria, particularly in the context of the Arab Spring.

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