What began as a peaceful uprising against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad seven years ago became a full-scale civil war that has left more than 340,000 people dead, devastated the country and drawn in global powers.

How did the war begin?

Long before it started, many Syrians complained about high unemployment, widespread corruption, a lack of political freedom and state repression under President Bashar al-Assad, who succeeded his father, Hafez, in 2000.

Why is there a war? Because a bunch of a$$holes wants to turn once great country into a $hithole. Legally elected president doesn't let them so they want to fight.

Hmmmm!

In March 2011, pro-democracy demonstrations inspired by the Arab Spring erupted in the southern city of Deraa. The government's use of deadly force to crush the dissent soon triggered nationwide protests demanding the president's resignation.

As the unrest spread, the crackdown intensified. Opposition supporters took up arms, first to defend themselves and later to expel security forces from their areas. Mr Assad vowed to crush "foreign-backed terrorism" and restore state control.




The violence rapidly escalated and the country descended into civil war as hundreds of rebel brigades were formed to battle government forces.

Why has the war lasted so long?




In essence, it has become more than just a battle between those for or against Mr Assad.

A key factor has been the intervention of regional and world powers, including Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Their military, financial and political support for the government and opposition has contributed to the intensification and continuation of the fighting, and turned Syria into a proxy battleground.

External powers have also been accused of fostering sectarianism in what was a broadly secular state, pitching the country's Sunni majority against the president's Shia Alawite sect. Such divisions have encouraged both sides to commit atrocities that have not only caused loss of life but also torn apart communities, hardened positions and dimmed hopes for a political settlement.

Jihadist groups have also seized on the divisions, and their rise has added a further dimension to the war. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance formed by what was once the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, controls large parts of the north-west.

Meanwhile, the Islamic State (IS) group seized control of large swathes of north-eastern Syria. It now controls only a few isolated pockets of territory after being driven from its urban strongholds by Russian-backed government forces, Turkish-backed rebel brigades, and a Kurdish militia alliance supported by the US.

Thousands of Shia militiamen from Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen are fighting alongside the Syrian army, in order, they say, to protect Shia holy sites.

Why are so many outside powers involved?



Russia, for whom President Assad's survival is critical to maintaining its interests in Syria, launched an air campaign in September 2015 with the aim of "stabilising" the government. Moscow stressed that it would target only "terrorists", but activists said its strikes repeatedly hit Western-backed rebel groups and civilian areas.

The intervention has turned the tide of the war in Mr Assad's favour. Intense Russian air and missile strikes were decisive in the battle for rebel-held eastern Aleppo in late 2016, while Russian special forces and mercenaries helped break the long-running IS siege of Deir al-Zour in September 2017.

Two months later, President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian forces, but they have continued to conduct air strikes across the country.

Shia power Iran is believed to be spending billions of dollars a year to bolster the Alawite-dominated government, providing military advisers and subsidised weapons, as well as lines of credit and oil transfers. It is also widely reported to have deployed hundreds of combat troops in Syria.

Mr Assad is Iran's closest Arab ally and Syria is the main transit point for Iranian weapons shipments to the Lebanese Shia Islamist movement Hezbollah, which has sent thousands of fighters to support government forces.

Israel has been so concerned by Hezbollah's acquisition of advanced weaponry and what it calls Iran's "entrenchment" in Syria that it has carried out dozens of air strikes seeking to thwart them.

The US, which says President Assad is responsible for widespread atrocities, supports the opposition and once provided military assistance to "moderate" rebels. It has also conducted air strikes on IS in Syria since September 2014, but has only targeted pro-government forces on a few occasions.

In April 2017, President Donald Trump ordered a missile strike on an air base which the US said was behind a deadly chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun.

Washington's key ally on the ground has been an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Since 2015, its fighters have driven IS militants out of most of the territory they controlled in Syria.

In January 2018, the US said it would maintain an open-ended military presence in SDF-controlled territory to ensure the enduring defeat of IS, counter Iranian influence, and help end the civil war.

Turkey is another staunch supporter of the rebels. However, it has used them to contain the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) militia that dominates the SDF. Ankara accuses the YPG of being an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has fought for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey for three decades.

In August 2016, Turkish troops backed a rebel offensive to drive IS out of one of the last stretches of the Syrian side of the border not controlled by the Kurds, around Jarablus and al-Bab. In January 2018, another operation was launched to drive the YPG out of the north-western Kurdish enclave of Afrin.

Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, which is also seeking to counter Iranian influence, has been a major provider of military and financial assistance to the rebels.

Lol

What impact has the war had?


The UN says at least 250,000 people have been killed. However, the organisation stopped updating its figures in August 2015.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported in December 2017 that it had documented the deaths of more than 346,600 people, including 103,000 civilians. But it noted that the figure did not include 56,900 people who were missing and presumed dead.

In February 2016, a think-tank estimated that the conflict had caused 470,000 deaths, either directly or indirectly.

Almost 5.6 million people - most of them women and children - have fled Syria, according to the UN. Neighbouring Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey have struggled to cope with one of the largest refugee exoduses in recent history.

About 10% of Syrian refugees have sought safety in Europe, sowing political divisions as countries argue over sharing the burden. A further 6.1 million people are internally displaced inside Syria.



The UN estimates it will need $3.5bn to help the 13.1 million people who will require some form of humanitarian assistance inside Syria in 2018. Almost 70% of population is living in extreme poverty. Six million face acute food insecurity amid shortages and inflated prices. In some areas, people are spending 15-20% of their income to secure access to drinking water.

The warring parties have compounded the problems by refusing humanitarian agencies access to many of those in need. Some 2.98 million people live in besieged or hard-to-reach areas.

What's being done to end the conflict?



With neither side able to inflict a decisive defeat on the other, the international community long ago concluded that only a political solution could end the conflict. The UN Security Council has called for the implementation of the 2012 Geneva Communique, which envisages a transitional governing body with full executive powers "formed on the basis of mutual consent".

UN-mediated peace talks, known as the Geneva II process, began in early 2014. Nine rounds have now taken place, the latest in January 2018. Delegations have been asked to discuss constitutional reform and holding free and fair elections. However, little progress has been made.

President Assad has appeared increasingly unwilling to negotiate with the opposition, which despite suffering repeated reversals on the battlefield still insists that he must step down as part of any settlement.

Western powers say Russia has also sought to undermine the talks and ensure the survival of its ally by setting up a parallel political process. In January, a "Congress of National Dialogue" was held in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. But representatives of most opposition political and armed groups refused to attend.

The conference was the result of talks between Russia, Iran and Turkey held in Astana. The powers also agreed in May 2017 to establish four "de-escalation zones" covering major rebel-held areas. There was a reduction in the bloodshed initially, but in late 2017 the government began assaults on two of the zones.

Informative.

What is left of rebel territory?



The government has regained control of Syria's biggest cities. But large parts of the country are still held by rebel groups.

The largest opposition stronghold is the north-western province of Idlib. It is home to more than 2.65 million people, including 1.2 million who have fled or been evacuated from other former rebel-held areas. Despite being designated one of the de-escalation zones, Idlib itself is now the target of a major ground offensive by the government. It says it is targeting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists there.

This is educative.

A government offensive is also under way in the Eastern Ghouta, the last major rebel enclave near Damascus and another de-escalation zone. Its 393,000 residents have been under siege since 2013. They have come under intense bombardment and are facing severe shortages food and medical supplies.

Rebel factions also control territory in the northern province of Aleppo, central province of Homs, and in the southern provinces of Deraa and Quneitra.

Source:http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35806229

lalasticlala, mynd44

Useless write up.

I can't believe that an 'educated' person is falling for this cock & bull story from the West.


Anyone with half a brain knows that the Syrian War is a pipeline war.
The US wanted to supply Europe with cheap Saudi/UAE oil in order to reduce Russia's influence & financial might.

The pipeline was supposed to go through Syria, then Turkey & finally Eastern Europe (Romania).

Assad agreed at first then after Putin called him, he rescinded his decision. This got the American/Israelis mad & they formed ISIS in order to destabilize the Assad government & also paid protesters just like they did in Libya, Egypt etc.

The US proceeded to invade Syria (which is against International Laws) citing they are fighting "terrorism" by Assad on his people. They framed him up with chemical weapons attacks which were later exposed to be detonated by Saudis loyal to the rebels. The UN report was buried in 2016 despite Russia's calls for investigations.

Then Assad formally invited Putin to defend Syria from terrorists threatening his government when it became evident the US was hell bent on deposing him illegally & replacing him with a puppet leader who will do their bidding.

So Russia is fighting in Syria legally on the government's permission while the US is bombing a sovereign state on its own soil illegally.

By late 2016 to early 2017, Putin managed to repel almost all rebel forces & returned key towns like Aleppo & Palmyra to the Syrian government.

The US keeps funding these terrorist organizations through the CIA to offer resistance but the truth is Russia has already won.

This piece is just a propaganda article to try & discredit their victory. Check its source - BBC - US ally.

Trth is, the US ran out of Syria with its tail tucked between its legs jus like they did in Vietnam.

Despite their superior firepower, the US is yet to win a major war since WWI (Yes, they didn't win WWII, Russia did. The US forces never got to Hitler's bunker till this very day. Check your history books).



Finally, now that the US knows it has been technically defeated in Syria, it has started plans for an alternative route for its pipeline. Through Israel & into the Mediterranean Sea & finally Eastern Europe. This plan was drafted around late 2016 after it was clear Russia will not allow Syria fall.





So OP, do some research & stop swallowing whatever CNN or BBC tells you. They serve certain people with interests that do not benefit you & I.

Every war is about money.

PastorLucifer:
Useless write up.

I can't believe that an 'educated' person is falling for this cock & bull story from the West.


Anyone with half a brain knows that the Syrian War is a pipeline war.
The US wanted to supply Europe with cheap Saudi/UAE oil in order to reduce Russia's influence & financial might.

The pipeline was supposed to go through Syria, then Turkey & finally Eastern Europe (Romania).

Assad agreed at first then after Putin called him, he rescinded his decision. This got the American/Israelis mad & they formed ISIS in order to destabilize the Assad government & also paid protesters just like they did in Libya, Egypt etc.

The US proceeded to invade Syria (which is against International Laws) citing they are fighting "terrorism" by Assad on his people. They framed him up with chemical weapons attacks which were later exposed to be detonated by Saudis loyal to the rebels. The UN report was buried in 2016 despite Russia's calls for investigations.

Then Assad formally invited Putin to defend Syria from terrorists threatening his government when it became evident the US was hell bent on deposing him illegally & replacing him with a puppet leader who will do their bidding.

So Russia is fighting in Syria legally on the government's permission while the US is bombing a sovereign state on its own soil illegally.

By late 2016 to early 2017, Putin managed to repel almost all rebel forces & returned key towns like Aleppo & Palmyra to the Syrian government.

The US keeps funding these terrorist organizations through the CIA to offer resistance but the truth is Russia has already won.

This piece is just a propaganda article to try & discredit their victory. Check its source - BBC - US ally.

Trth is, the US ran out of Syria with its tail tucked between its legs jus like they did in Vietnam.

Despite their superior firepower, the US is yet to win a major war since WWI (Yes, they didn't win WWII, Russia did. The US forces never got to Hitler's bunker till this very day. Check your history books).



Finally, now that the US knows it has been technically defeated in Syria, it has started plans for an alternative route for its pipeline. Through Israel & into the Mediterranean Sea & finally Eastern Europe. This plan was drafted around late 2016 after it was clear Russia will not allow Syria fall.





So OP, do some research & stop swallowing whatever CNN or BBC tells you. They serve certain people with interests that do not benefit you & I.

Every war is about money.

I actually learnt a lot from this. I will do my research. But Syria as a country can never be the same again. War destroys everything. Look at Libya.

Israel's security.

There are Democratic Forces (depending on perspective) in all societies in the world, including America (remember depending on perceptive?). Think of all Democratic and none Democratic forces in all nations of the world as Trouble-Sleeper-Cells waiting for forces powerful enough to trigger them. The Russians and Chinese stand a remote chance of triggering the American based sleeper cells but Aliens from outer space definitely could. When the West decided that the time had come to get rid of Gadafy, for reasons some put down to petty revenge others oil, they trigged Libya's democratic forces. By triggering I don't mean that the democratic forces (depending on perceptive) weren't already active, I used the term to mean providing overwhelming support to those forces. Consequently Gadafy was swept from power leaving behind those Democratic Forces (depending on perceptive) to run Libya. The aim of triggering Democratic Forces isn't about bringing about Democratic governance.

Now, Israel long considered Syria and Iran a clear and present danger to National Survival. Eventually the situation arose in which America, Israel's staunch ally and protector, could trigger Syria's democratic movement. Unfortunately, Asad proved a harder dictator than Gaday to indirectly remove from power this way, resulting in the protracted war that has seen Syria virtually destroyed.

Current situation (probably):

Since with Russia's help, Syria is only virtually destroyed, Syria remains a threat to Israel. Democratic forces (depending on perspective) retreating under fire from Russia, Syria and Iranian backed Syria, America sulks and Israel riles against Iran, the remaining clear and present danger to its survival. Trump somewhat publicly hamstrung because of his overtures, pre-election, with Russia and the inescapable Islamic State nature of those democratic forces, America most continue muddledly. Covertly it lends support to the “Democratic Forces” and overtly lends support to forces like those led by the Curds that battle those Democratic Forces. To confuse matters even further, Turkey feeling threatened by these Curd forces, lunched attacks against them. America and Europe protests, Turkey continues, and the Curds feel forced to join forces with the Syrian, Russian, Iranian alliance.

The tale should not end for you with the confusion if you are astute or have a healthy conspiracy-seeking-mind. This is because since the confusion has led to renewed intensity in the fighting, there is a sense in which this could be the covert fight back by the America/Isrial alliance against the Russia, Syria, Iran gains.

PastorLucifer:
Useless write up.

I can't believe that an 'educated' person is falling for this cock & bull story from the West.


Anyone with half a brain knows that the Syrian War is a pipeline war.
The US wanted to supply Europe with cheap Saudi/UAE oil in order to reduce Russia's influence & financial might.

The pipeline was supposed to go through Syria, then Turkey & finally Eastern Europe (Romania).

Assad agreed at first then after Putin called him, he rescinded his decision. This got the American/Israelis mad & they formed ISIS in order to destabilize the Assad government & also paid protesters just like they did in Libya, Egypt etc.

The US proceeded to invade Syria (which is against International Laws) citing they are fighting "terrorism" by Assad on his people. They framed him up with chemical weapons attacks which were later exposed to be detonated by Saudis loyal to the rebels. The UN report was buried in 2016 despite Russia's calls for investigations.

Then Assad formally invited Putin to defend Syria from terrorists threatening his government when it became evident the US was hell bent on deposing him illegally & replacing him with a puppet leader who will do their bidding.

So Russia is fighting in Syria legally on the government's permission while the US is bombing a sovereign state on its own soil illegally.

By late 2016 to early 2017, Putin managed to repel almost all rebel forces & returned key towns like Aleppo & Palmyra to the Syrian government.

The US keeps funding these terrorist organizations through the CIA to offer resistance but the truth is Russia has already won.

This piece is just a propaganda article to try & discredit their victory. Check its source - BBC - US ally.

Trth is, the US ran out of Syria with its tail tucked between its legs jus like they did in Vietnam.

Despite their superior firepower, the US is yet to win a major war since WWI (Yes, they didn't win WWII, Russia did. The US forces never got to Hitler's bunker till this very day. Check your history books).



Finally, now that the US knows it has been technically defeated in Syria, it has started plans for an alternative route for its pipeline. Through Israel & into the Mediterranean Sea & finally Eastern Europe. This plan was drafted around late 2016 after it was clear Russia will not allow Syria fall.





So OP, do some research & stop swallowing whatever CNN or BBC tells you. They serve certain people with interests that do not benefit you & I.

Every war is about money.

Thank you! I do not need to add anything aside this picture.

tensazangetsu20:

I actually learnt a lot from this. I will do my research. But Syria as a country can never be the same again. War destroys everything. Look at Libya.

Syria can still be salvaged. The only problem is the United States. Once they leave Syria, this war will be over in 24hrs.

The rebels cannot stand Putin's firepower & they know it. They hide under the cover of the US air support to attack. Millions of innocent lives have been either lost or displaced as a result of US foreign policy.

Under the guise of UN aid supplies, the rebels restock. Putin noticed this in November 2016 that's why he bombed that UN supply convoy & ordered a no-fly zone over Aleppo.

Less than a week after that move, Aleppo was won.

Syria has already signed deals with Russia to rebuild. All that needs to happen is for the US to cut its losses & leave with its rebels.

But we all know pride won't let them.

Zoharariel:


Thank you! I do not need to add anything aside this picture.

Putin really put the US in its place that's why every non-American loves him.

He liberated Syria. He is a formidable leader.

remedick:
Why are so many outside powers involved?



Russia, for whom President Assad's survival is critical to maintaining its interests in Syria, launched an air campaign in September 2015 with the aim of "stabilising" the government. Moscow stressed that it would target only "terrorists", but activists said its strikes repeatedly hit[s] Western-backed rebel groups and civilian areas.[/s]

The intervention has turned the tide of the war in Mr Assad's favour. Intense Russian air and missile strikes were decisive in the battle for rebel-held eastern Aleppo in late 2016, while Russian special forces and mercenaries helped break the long-running IS siege of Deir al-Zour in September 2017.

This is where you fcked the propaganda up. Western backed group in a country that has president and you call this civil war ? Sorry it's a proxy war not a civil war... Pure preplanned and well prepared proxy war...What would you call the one that happened in Ukraine ??

If anglozoo do not start, it wont get to this part. Using proxies wont work.
They started the same 'peacful protest' and Kiev sponsored colour revolution by the same anglozoo crooks and it earned ukraine lossing Crimean Penisular and now Donbass and Lugansk..

They started the same thing in Syria but has not yet even crossed or got to the part of Ukraine yet, Syria-hezbolar-Iran-Russia is fighting back and taking the lands back...

They started the same thing in Nigeria, Nigeria is fighting back (Nigeria is not new to this by the way) and also taking lands back from there boko haram affiliate to there wahabbi terrorist organization..


Same goes to regime change in Afghan since Bush era. 17 years of war, Taliban is still gaining more of their grounds more than in the year 2012.

Putin=Equalizer 4000.