Beyond the Headlines Podcast: Syria's humanitarian crisis and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the UK

Mina Aldroubi is joined by Panos Moumtzis, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria and Damien McElroy, The National's London bureau chief

epa06584771 A volunteer with International Committee of the Red Cross photographs Civil defense rescuers searching for a body of victim under a collapsed building that was targeted by a strike on 22 February, after they were called to look for the victim buried under the rubbles in Douma, Syria, 05 March 2018 (issued 06 March 2018). Syrians in the neighborhood failed to reach the body of victim since the building collapsed on 22 February and on 05 March alerted the civil defense members to the possible place the body of the victim was trapped under the rubble as a convoy of the UN, Red Cross and Syrian Arab Red Crescent entered eastern Ghouta to deliver humanitarian aid. EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA

A volunteer with International Committee of the Red Cross photographs Civil defense rescuers searching for a body of victim under a collapsed building that was targeted by a strike on 22 February, in Douma, Syria. Mohammed Badra / EPA

Mina Aldroubi

Mar 08, 2018

The Syrian conflict is now entering its eighth year. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, clashes are fierce in rebel-held areas and the regime of President Bashar Al Assad has again been accused in recent weeks of using chemical weapons in his push to reclaim territory.

Eastern Ghouta's 400,000 residents have lived under government siege since 2013, facing severe shortages of food and medicines even before the latest offensive began.

Host Mina Aldroubi talks to the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Panos Moumtzis, about the challenges that civilians and aid works are facing in Ghouta.

Next up we hear from Damien McElroy, The National's London bureau chief who is closely following developments of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's high profile visit to the UK.

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Syria regime sends hundreds of troops to besieged Ghouta

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embarks on landmark British visit

Saudi royal visits to Britain make a real difference

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Beyond the Headlines, produced by Kevin Jeffers, is The National's weekly podcast for analysis and insight from the Middle East. Follow, subscribe and rate us at Apple Podcasts, Audioboom, Pocket Cast or your favourite podcasting app

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