Conflict in the Middle East

Question 1

Why is there conflict in the Middle East?

Answer 1

• once part of Islamic Ottoman Empire
• during WW1, empire was defeated
• Britain and France took control of the area –> further unrest
• the countries eventually did regain their independence

Question 2

Impacts of conflict:

Answer 2

> during a flare-up in the conflict between armed Israel and Palestinian groups, Israeli airstrikes killed 25 Palestinians (13 were civilians)
the Syrian civil war killed more than 400,000 people
the civil war in Lebanon lasted from 1975-1991 and has left the economy still struggling today

Question 3

The tensions between which two main branches of Islam have led to violence?

Answer 3

Sunni and Shia