Since its beginning in 2011, the Syrian Civil War has since morphed from an internal conflict to an international battlefield and human rights crisis of staggering proportions. Sadly, in spite of more than a decade of fighting between the Assad regime and rebel forces, the war shows no sign of subsiding in the near future.
How Did the Syrian Civil War Start?
Many of the issues underpinning the Syrian Civil War predated the conflict by years (if not decades). Syria had long been plagued by corruption and lack of political freedom. These issues were further compounded by social and economic strain as a result of an intense drought, which caused wide scale crop failures, high unemployment rates, and high food prices.
However, it was the Arab Spring protests that served as a catalyst for the outbreak of violence. After peaceful protests began in the city of Dara’a, the Assad regime’s forces responded by opening fire on civilian demonstrators. This, in turn, prompted nationwide uprisings and the formation of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA), which was largely composed of defectors from Assad’s army.
The outbreak of civil war was further complicated by the insurgency of ISIS in Syria and the involvement of foreign entities in the conflict. Russia and Iran both supported the Assad government in its efforts to crush rebels. On the other hand, the United States and Western forces such as France and the United Kingdom have provided military and logistical support to rebel groups such as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The Impact of the Syrian Civil War
It’s hard to accurately quantify the devastation caused by the Syrian Civil War. The Assad regime, ISIS, and rebel groups alike have indiscriminately attacked civilians. In particular, Syrian government forces incurred international censure for the use of chemical weapons on civilians. Multiple attempts at peace talks have proven largely ineffective.
Today, the country remains fragmented and its infrastructure and economy severely damaged. Basic necessities are hard to come by for many residents. It’s thought that up to half of the country’s population has been displaced and are living as refugees.
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