History of the Syrian Conflict

1. Origins (Pre-2011)
   • Syria was ruled by the Assad family since 1970, with Hafez al-Assad holding power until his death in 2000.
   • Bashar al-Assad succeeded him and initially promised political reforms but maintained authoritarian control.
   • Socioeconomic issues, including unemployment, poverty, and droughts, further fueled discontent.
2. Arab Spring and Protests (2011)
   • Inspired by the Arab Spring, protests demanding political reforms and freedom erupted in March 2011.
   • The Assad regime responded with violent crackdowns, escalating tensions.
   • By mid-2011, the conflict had turned into a civil war.
3. Civil War and Rebel Groups (2011–2013)
   • Various factions emerged, including moderate opposition groups, Kurdish forces, and radical Islamist groups.
   • The Free Syrian Army (FSA) formed as a major opposition force.
   • Jihadist groups like Jabhat al-Nusra and later ISIS gained prominence.
4. Involvement of External Powers (2013 Onward)
   • The conflict drew regional and global powers into a proxy war.
   • Chemical weapon attacks in 2013 shocked the international community, with the Assad regime accused of their use.

Main Rebel Groups

1. Free Syrian Army (FSA):
   • A coalition of defected Syrian soldiers and civilians opposing the Assad regime.
   • Initially supported by Western nations but weakened over time.
2. Kurdish Forces (YPG/SDF):
   • The People’s Protection Units (YPG), backed by the U.S., fought ISIS and sought Kurdish autonomy.
   • Operates under the broader Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) umbrella.
3. Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaeda affiliate):
   • Later rebranded as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), focused on establishing an Islamic state.
4. ISIS (Islamic State):
   • Gained control of large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014, enforcing a brutal interpretation of Sharia law.
   • Declared a caliphate but was defeated militarily by 2019.

Countries Supporting Different Factions

1. Supporting the Assad Regime:
   • Russia:
     • Provided military and political support since 2015, including airstrikes.
     • Key ally in securing Assad’s survival.
   • Iran:
     • Supplied financial aid, arms, and fighters (including Hezbollah).
     • Aimed to maintain influence in the region.
2. Supporting Rebel Groups:
   • United States:
     • Initially backed moderate rebels and later focused on fighting ISIS.
     • Supported Kurdish-led SDF forces.
   • Turkey:
     • Supported opposition groups to counter both Assad and Kurdish forces.
     • Opposed Kurdish autonomy near its border.
   • Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, Qatar):
     • Provided funding and arms to various rebel factions opposing Assad.
3. Fighting ISIS:
   • Global Coalition (U.S., UK, France, etc.):
     • Conducted airstrikes and supported ground forces like the SDF to defeat ISIS.

Humanitarian and Geopolitical Impact

1. Casualties and Displacement:
   • Over 500,000 people killed.
   • Millions displaced internally and externally, leading to a global refugee crisis.
2. Geopolitical Tensions:
   • Escalated rivalry between U.S. and Russia.
   • Deepened regional divisions (e.g., Sunni-Shia tensions, Turkey-Kurdish conflict).
3. Destruction:
   • Widespread destruction of cities, infrastructure, and cultural heritage sites.