Beekeepers battle on two fronts

Damiriya struggles to produce honey from his hives on parched land in Rankus village near Syrian capital Damascus after years of war, economic collapse and worsening climate change. Rankus was once renowned for its honey, but was hard hit by fighting between government forces and rebels that caused widespread destruction, pushing many residents to flee. — AFP

SYRIAN beekeeper Ibrahim Damiriya struggles to produce honey from his hives on parched land near the capital Damascus after years of war, economic collapse and worsening climate change impacts.

“The war bled us dry. We could barely keep our beekeeping business afloat, and then the insane weather made things worse,” said the 62-year-old in a beekeeping suit as he examined meagre honey stocks inside the hives.