Tribal mobilisation during the Syrian civil war: the case of al-Baqqer brigade

As a result of the debilitating situation that Syrian state reached during Civil War, government relies heavily on paramilitary groups to confront security challenges. Existing studies imply all in Syria were formed largely top-down process. Focusing rise al-Baqqer Brigade and relying series in-depth interviews with members al-Baggara tribe who make up most this militia, paper challenges assumption. The shows emergence tribal militias is principally grassroots phenomenon stemming from competition over local resources. It argues has seized opportunity outsourced some its counterinsurgency tasks group.