Question

The American media presents the conflict in Syria as a sectarian conflict, meaning between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. Argue against this oversimplification. Explain how the Syrian conflict is more complicated due to tribalism. In your post, give your own definition and understanding of tribalism.

Answer 1

The countries in the Middle East have significant tribal affiliations than any other part of the world. This takes more significance when different tribes wield political and muscle power and communicate with the established government on these lines. While discussing about the Syrian conflict, tribalism is definitely the most important factor. Tribalism can be understood as the tendency of a group of people to be organised in a group called tribe and be attached to common cultural and linguistic practices. The term tribalism finds its roots deeper than religious beliefs. In Syria, Arab tribes existed in pre-Islamic era and are still the prominent tribes, of the Syrian land. One mark of distinction was on the basis of camel herding and goat/sheep herding origins. Tribes like Shammar, Anaza are the former whereas Ougaidat, Baggara, and Jabbour are the latter type of tribes. Tribal origins differentiate superiority and are one of the major factors in political affiliations and power struggles.

Even in the same tribe, there are religious divisions which may lead to- intra tribal conflicts and also conflicts and incoherence with other tribes. For example, in Baggara tribe, religious divisions exist between Sunnis and a quarter of Shiaas, which lead to conflicts among themselves and other tribes.

Another important aspect is the geographical dispersions in the tribal concentrations across Syria. The tribes which is a majority in a region, controls that part of the country. This local power realities leads to varied political affiliations across Syria and thus contribute heavily in internal conflicts in the country.

A traditional struggle with Kurds is also a reality in Syria, which spirals into major unrest in the concerned areas of Aleppo and al-Jazirah.

As we can see, the complex setup of various tribes and complex equations among themselves are a major reason for the Syrian conflict. Terming the Syrian conflict as a Shi’a- Sunni conflict by the American media, is clearly an oversimplification and not doing justice with the ground realities.