Why is this Happening?
Since the Civil War in Syria began in 2011, it has become more and more complicated. Many countries have become involved in the war in different ways and now it is unclear who is fighting who.
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A boy displaying a Syrian Flag during a protest.
http://hindutva.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Mideast-Jordan-Syria_Horo |
Where even is Syria? What even is happening?
Syria is located in the Middle East, surrounded by countries such as Turkey, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. This area of the world has had a long history of violence because of unrest between different religious groups.
In the early spring in 2011, the people of Syria began to protest against the government, demanding changes and a better government. These protests were inspired by previous successful protests in nearby countries such as Egypt and Libya.
The people of Syria were tired of the struggling government and their president Bashar al-Assad. But when demonstrators protested against the government, the military responded with violence and many were killed when armed forces shot into the crowds. The situation quickly developed into a civil war as armed civilians began to emerge and fight back. Violence escalated and by June 2013, 90 000 people had been killed. Over a period of five years the Syrian civil war has also become much more complicated, because of many new groups getting involved in the war in various ways. It is no longer just the rebels fighting against Bashar al-Assad; now other countries have chosen sides to support as well as entirely new groups trying to claim space as well. Other countries that have become involved include Russia, the U.S., and Britain. Different ethnic groups in the area around Syria have also joined the war. The result of this has been much confusion and many are not sure who the real enemy is any more. Overall, the Syrian war has caused much violence and many people have lost everything because of it. |
Syria's location is in the Middle East
http://guprogressive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/map-middle-east.gif ![]() A map displaying the different groups involved with the Syrian War and where they are located, as well as the location of certain battles.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-map-syrian-civil-war-july-2015/ |
Countries all over the world are divided about who to support in the Syrian civil war.
Some believe that the rebels should be supported and that al-Assad should be overthrown and they are helping because of humanitarian reasons. Britain, France, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia all believe that the rebels are right. The United States is also a large supporter of the rebels and is attempting to send them supplies to help them win.
However, several countries support the current Syrian government for their own reasons. Countries such as Iraq and China are currently supporting the Syrian leader al-Assad. Russia is also a large ally of the Syrian government, mainly because of Syria's access to an important body of water and shipping channels, which Russia itself does not have. Al-Assad knows to keep on friendly terms with Russia because as long as Syria gives Russia what it wants, Russia continues to supply Syria with supplies and weapons.
Some believe that the rebels should be supported and that al-Assad should be overthrown and they are helping because of humanitarian reasons. Britain, France, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia all believe that the rebels are right. The United States is also a large supporter of the rebels and is attempting to send them supplies to help them win.
However, several countries support the current Syrian government for their own reasons. Countries such as Iraq and China are currently supporting the Syrian leader al-Assad. Russia is also a large ally of the Syrian government, mainly because of Syria's access to an important body of water and shipping channels, which Russia itself does not have. Al-Assad knows to keep on friendly terms with Russia because as long as Syria gives Russia what it wants, Russia continues to supply Syria with supplies and weapons.
This chart displays just how difficult it is to figure out who is involved and who is fighting who.
http://d3i3l3kraiqpym.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/16221053/charles-lister-syria-chart.jpg
http://d3i3l3kraiqpym.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/16221053/charles-lister-syria-chart.jpg
References
Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_Civil_War
Syria: The story of the conflict. (n.d.). Retrieved June 3, 2016, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868
Syrian Civil War. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Civil_War
Wiersema, A. (n.d.). Everything You Need to Know About the Syrian Civil War. Retrieved June 10, 2016, from
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/syrian-civil-war/story?id=20112311
V. (2015, October 14). Syria's war: Who is fighting and why. Retrieved June 6, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKb9GVU8bHE
Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_involvement_in_the_Syrian_Civil_War
Syria: The story of the conflict. (n.d.). Retrieved June 3, 2016, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868
Syrian Civil War. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Civil_War
Wiersema, A. (n.d.). Everything You Need to Know About the Syrian Civil War. Retrieved June 10, 2016, from
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/syrian-civil-war/story?id=20112311
V. (2015, October 14). Syria's war: Who is fighting and why. Retrieved June 6, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKb9GVU8bHE