How was your day, honey? Syrian beekeepers facing challenge to livelihoods amid Israeli incursions, soaring costs

"Beekeepers in the Yarmouk Basin village of Maariya in Syria’s Daraa countryside are grappling with threats that are putting their livelihoods at risk. Israeli incursions have blocked access to key agricultural areas, while their production costs have increased sharply. Footage taken on Friday shows beekeepers working at their apiaries, on farmland near the Jordanian border. "This area is ideal for wintering bees. The bees can build up significant strength during this period because of the right weather conditions," said local beekeeper Khaled. "When the Israeli military invaded the area, it carried out road expansion and digging. Our apiaries were damaged due to the subsequent soil dumping and falling rocks. A large number of bees died as a result." "We were deprived of our village's benefits after the Israeli forces infiltrated and banned accessibility," explained another beekeeper, Ahmed Al-Shaqneen. Fellow beekeeper Mohammed Yassin added that another challenge is the increase in costs. "We are facing soaring prices for raw materials, not to mention the restricted market honey because of conflicts in neighbouring territories," he noted. The country has seen growing public outrage with increasing calls for protests amid skyrocketing prices of goods and basic services, with demonstrations reported in Damascus on Friday over deteriorating living conditions. Syrian media on Saturday reported recurring Israeli incursions in the western Daraa countryside, particularly the Yarmouk Basin near the disengagement line. The Israeli military had not commented on these incursions at the time of publication. In December 2024, Syria’s current transitional government seized power in Damascus. Ahmed Al Sharaa was later appointed interim president, pledging to form an inclusive government. Since then, Israel significantly expanded its military presence in southern Syria, moving forces into the demilitarised buffer zone. It launched strikes by air and sea against Syria’s weapon stockpiles to prevent them falling into ‘hostile hands’. "

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