Syrian civil war

Syrian civil war
Conflict	Syrian civil war
Partof	the Arab Spring, the Arab Winter, and the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
Caption	Military situation in May 2020
Date	15 March 2011 – present
Place	Syria
Result	Ongoing
Combatant1	Syrian government and allies:, • Syrian Arab Armed Forces, • National Defense Forces, • Hezbollah, • Islamic Republic of Iran, • Russia, • Various Shia militias
Combatant2	Opposition factions:, • Free Syrian Army, • Syrian National Army, • Syrian Salvation Government, • Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, • Ahrar al-Sham
Combatant3	Other non-state actors:, • Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, • Syrian Democratic Forces, • People's Protection Units, • Turkey
Commander1	Bashar al-Assad, Ali Abdullah Ayyoub, Hassan Nasrallah, Qasem Soleimani, Vladimir Putin
Commander2	Riad al-Asaad, Salim Idris, Abu Mohammad al-Julani
Commander3	Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Mazlum Abdi, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Syrian civil war. The conflict began in March 2011 as part of the wider Arab Spring protests, with demonstrations against the government of Bashar al-Assad. It quickly escalated into an armed rebellion after a violent crackdown by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces, leading to a complex multi-sided war. The fighting has drawn in numerous foreign powers and spawned significant Islamist militant groups, creating one of the 21st century's most devastating humanitarian crises.

Background and causes

Long-standing grievances under the Ba'ath Party rule, including political repression, economic mismanagement, and sectarian favoritism toward the Alawite minority, created widespread discontent. The 2011 Daraa protests, inspired by the Tunisian Revolution and the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, were met with lethal force, catalyzing nationwide unrest. Drought conditions in the Syrian Desert from 2006 to 2011 exacerbated rural poverty and migration, fueling social tensions. The authoritarian structure of the Assad family, in power since Hafez al-Assad's 1970 Corrective Movement, left few avenues for peaceful political change.

Timeline of major events

Initial protests in 2011 were followed by the formation of the Free Syrian Army and the descent into civil war by 2012. Key turning points include the Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016), the Ghouta chemical attack in 2013, and the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant which captured Raqqa in 2014. The Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war in September 2015 marked a decisive shift, enabling major Syrian government offensives. Subsequent major battles include the Battle of Mosul, the Siege of Kobanî, the Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016), and the 2018 Southern Syria offensive. The 2020 Idlib ceasefire has largely held, creating a fragile stalemate.

Belligerents and factions

The primary pro-government force is the Syrian Arab Armed Forces, supported by allied militias like the National Defense Forces, Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed Shia groups. The opposition is fragmented, encompassing the Free Syrian Army, Islamist coalitions like Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham, and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. The Syrian Democratic Forces, dominated by the People's Protection Units, control much of northeastern Syria. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant held significant territory until its territorial defeat in 2019.

Foreign involvement

International intervention has been extensive and multifaceted. The Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia have provided critical military support to the Assad government, with Vladimir Putin authorizing direct air campaigns. A U.S.-led coalition conducted airstrikes against ISIL and supported the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey has launched several cross-border operations, including Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch, targeting both ISIL and the People's Protection Units. Regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have provided support to various rebel groups.

Humanitarian impact and war crimes

The war has caused staggering human suffering, with estimates of over 500,000 killed and more than 13 million displaced, including 6.8 million refugees, primarily in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. The United Nations has documented widespread atrocities, including the Siege of Eastern Ghouta, the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack, and systematic torture in facilities like Sednaya Prison. Investigations by the International Criminal Court have been hampered by lack of jurisdiction, but evidence has been gathered by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. The destruction of ancient sites like Palmyra by ISIL constitutes cultural genocide.

Peace efforts and political process

Numerous diplomatic initiatives have failed to end the hostilities. Early efforts included the Geneva II Conference on Syria and the 2012 Syrian peace plan by Kofi Annan. The Astana talks, sponsored by Russia, Turkey, and Iran, established de-escalation zones and led to the formation of the Syrian Constitutional Committee. However, the Assad government's military gains have weakened opposition leverage. The United Nations Security Council remains deadlocked, with Russia and China repeatedly vetoing resolutions. Reconstruction and the potential for normalization of relations with the Arab League remain contentious issues tied to a political settlement.

Category:21st-century conflicts Category:Wars involving Syria Category:Proxy wars