Understanding The Targeting Of Healthcare Workers In The Syrian Conflict: A Qualitative Study

Healthcare workers have been deliberately targeted in the Syrian conflict by the warring parties. The motives for targeted violence against health care are often diverse. Research on the topic is challenging since perpetrators are usually unable or unwilling to participate in the research. This study investigates the perpetrators' possible motives through healthcare workers' experiences and views. To protect health care in contemporary modern complex conflicts, it is essential to understand the motives of perpetrators of violence. This qualitative study is based on semi-structured interviews (n = 25) with professionals who have worked in Syria between 2011 and 2017. Participants were selected using a snowball sampling method and interviewed in Turkey and Europe between 2016 and 2017. The analysis was performed using content analysis. Our results indicate that the violence conducted by GoS may aim to suppress all forms of dissent and critical voices, regardless of profession, underlining the political nature of the regime's actions. NSAGs, instead, seemed to perceive healthcare workers as valuable assets to exploit. ISIS's attitude towards HCWs was predominantly political-ideological, fostering deep suspicion and intent on punishing those participating in resistance. Both GoS and ISIS were seen to use violence against health care as part of a broader pattern targeting civilians. All warring parties were considered to distrust health care and humanitarian organizations deeply.