The conflict in Syria: the sides that started it all

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

The conflict in Syria has been going on for more than four years and is accompanied by massive casu alties. Events are constantly in the spotlight of the world media. There are many sides to the war. Many countries are in crisis.

The conflict in Syria: how it all started?

War in the Middle East is still going on. Around 2011, the conflict began in Syria. The reasons are different for each of the current parties. But it all started with anti-government protests. The Ba'ath Party has ruled Syria for over 70 years. In recent years, Bashar al-Assad has been president. Encouraged by the "Arab Spring" in other countries, the opposition begins to radically criticize the government and encourages its supporters to take to the streets. In the spring, performances sharply escalated. There are violent clashes between protesters and the police and the army. There are constant reports of deaths. A number of northern provinces are practically not controlled by the government. Bashar al-Assad declares that he is ready to seek a compromise and dissolves the cabinet of ministers. But it was too late.

Social media played an important role. Through Facebook andOn Twitter, the opposition coordinated its actions and called on people to act of disobedience. By the summer, the conflict in Syria is gaining new momentum. Opponents of the authorities create armed formations, the West supports them and threatens Assad with sanctions if force is used.

Syria: the history of the conflict

Clashes take on the character of full-scale hostilities. The rebels are united in the Syrian Free Army. A few months after the start of the protests, radical Islamists are actively joining the opposition. In the middle of the year, a suicide bomber kills several high-ranking figures in the government army.

Fighting almost never stops in autumn. The EU and the US actively support the rebels and provide them with technical and material assistance. A number of Western allies are imposing sanctions against Syria. Government troops managed to recapture a number of cities and provide reliable protection for Damascus. The rebels say they plan to attack Aleppo, the second most populated city after the capital. They make several unsuccessful assaults.

International Presence

The conflict in Syria is beginning to attract more and more external players. Turkey officially begins to support the opposition. In the summer of 2012, immediately after the declaration of entry into the war, government forces shoot down a Turkish plane and open fire on other targets. Later, artillery covers a convoy of Turkish vehicles after they cross the border.

Libya and Iran are beginning to support Assad. Arriving in Syriaarmed members of the Hezbollah formation (can be translated as "the party of Allah"). Together with them, the Syrian army liberates Al-Quseir. In winter, the Assad regime launches a large-scale offensive that brings significant success. Against this background, in the cities controlled by the government, there are constant terrorist attacks.

Opposition troops are less and less suitable for their stereotype in the West. Islamists join the armed formations. Al-Qaeda is sending a significant contingent to Syria. Cells of this terrorist organization are organizing training camps.

Relations with Turkey are escalating. There are several armed skirmishes. The Turkish parliament allows the use of armed forces against Syria, but the war does not start. Some Gulf countries that are US allies provide regular assistance to anti-government forces.

Role of Kurdistan

The conflict in Syria has many different forces. Kurdistan is a serious player, often referred to as a "third party". Kurds live in eastern Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Their armed militia is called "Peshmerga". This organization was created to protect the territory where ethnic Kurds live. Loyal to the Assad regime, actively oppose ISIS.

Islamization of the conflict

By 2014, the protracted war is gaining new momentum. The "moderate" opposition plays practically no role. She is still activesupports the EU and the US, but now only the language of weapons is understood in Syria. The main fighting is carried out by radical Islamists. Jabhat al-Nusra controls a large part of Syria. They are often called terrorists, and information appears in the media that help is coming from the United States through the "opposition" to the Islamists.

ISIS is one of the most brutal and big organizations that has catalyzed the conflict in Syria. The reasons for the success of this organization still cause controversy among analysts. The world learned about IS (Islamic State) after its militants suddenly captured the major city of Mosul. Islamists created their own state on the territory under their control. The local population lives strictly according to Sharia law. For example, men are not allowed to cut their hair. Violations of the rules are subject to various cruel punishments.

One of the important components of IS activities is propaganda. The world community was amazed by a series of videos showing militants executing prisoners. Moreover, the murders occur with sophistication and are filmed by professionals. ISIS is considered an international terrorist organization. A number of NATO countries and Russia strike at the territories of the Islamic State.