To begin to understand the Syrian Civil War, it helps to go back to March 2011 when the first shots were fired. Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad first shot down his people at a peaceful Arab springs protest. In July of that year the protesters started shooting back, some of those rebels and protesters were ex-members of the Syrian army who called themselves the Free Syrian Army. At this point of Syria’s own military force turning on itself, is when the tensions finally escalated into civil war. During this time Assad recognized extremist rebel groups joining the force, and actually encouraged them, as the presence of extremist rebels would make it difficult for outsiders such as the U.S. and other Middle Eastern states to justify lending a hand to the situation.
In 2012 Al Qaeda forms a new branch in Syria, also around that time Syrian Kurds groups take up arms and informally secedes from Assad's rule in the north. That summer is when Syria becomes a proxy war, Iran Intervenes on Assad’s behalf and puts hundreds of men on the ground as well as sent daily cargo flights to back Syria. During this time the Gulf and the Arab States start sending weapons and money to the rebel/extremist groups to counter Iran's in influence. Iran turns up in the rebel group later that year in the form of Hezbollah which is a Lebanese Militia that agrees to back the rebels in the war. The Arab States sees Iran switching sides and backs the rebels even more now, sending more money and weapons as the war continues. By 2013 the Middle East is mostly divided by the Sunnis who support the rebels and the Shias who support Assad.
Later that summer during Obama's term, Obama signs a secret order that authorizes the CIA to go into Syria and train the rebels. The Order stalls while the U.S. quietly encourages the Arab Gulf States to stop funding the extremists, but their words go unheard. In August that year, the Assad Regime begins the use of chemical weapons against civilians. During this time Russia speaks out and says that in the case of Assad needing backup Russia would be that for them. The U.S. continues to oppose Assad. Weeks after the chemical weapon bombing, the CIA reaches Syria to begin training the rebels. The U.S. now becomes an active participant in the War. In February 2014 a new group arises, and they call themselves the Islamic State or ISIS. ISIS mostly fights, not Assad, but other rebels and Kurds. The U.S. steps in yet again saying that they will only train the rebels that will fight against ISIS and not Assad. The Program doesn’t do well.
In August, Turkey starts bombing Kurds groups in Iraq and Turkey, but turkey doesn’t bomb ISIS. Because states that back the U.S. are now attacking Assad and different rebel groups it's hard to understand where the U.S. and its allies stand. In 2017 Trump Takes Office and hints that Assad should stay in power. During this year Assad knocks the rebels out of their last remaining stronghold in Aleppo. Then in spring Assad once again uses chemical weapons on his people killing 85 including 20 children. Back in the U.S. Trump launches its first attack on Syria creating more confusion to the state of things.
Now 2018 there is still no end in sight for the Syrian civil war as each state is backed by different outside sources and the ISIS continues its extremist acts.
In 2012 Al Qaeda forms a new branch in Syria, also around that time Syrian Kurds groups take up arms and informally secedes from Assad's rule in the north. That summer is when Syria becomes a proxy war, Iran Intervenes on Assad’s behalf and puts hundreds of men on the ground as well as sent daily cargo flights to back Syria. During this time the Gulf and the Arab States start sending weapons and money to the rebel/extremist groups to counter Iran's in influence. Iran turns up in the rebel group later that year in the form of Hezbollah which is a Lebanese Militia that agrees to back the rebels in the war. The Arab States sees Iran switching sides and backs the rebels even more now, sending more money and weapons as the war continues. By 2013 the Middle East is mostly divided by the Sunnis who support the rebels and the Shias who support Assad.
Later that summer during Obama's term, Obama signs a secret order that authorizes the CIA to go into Syria and train the rebels. The Order stalls while the U.S. quietly encourages the Arab Gulf States to stop funding the extremists, but their words go unheard. In August that year, the Assad Regime begins the use of chemical weapons against civilians. During this time Russia speaks out and says that in the case of Assad needing backup Russia would be that for them. The U.S. continues to oppose Assad. Weeks after the chemical weapon bombing, the CIA reaches Syria to begin training the rebels. The U.S. now becomes an active participant in the War. In February 2014 a new group arises, and they call themselves the Islamic State or ISIS. ISIS mostly fights, not Assad, but other rebels and Kurds. The U.S. steps in yet again saying that they will only train the rebels that will fight against ISIS and not Assad. The Program doesn’t do well.
In August, Turkey starts bombing Kurds groups in Iraq and Turkey, but turkey doesn’t bomb ISIS. Because states that back the U.S. are now attacking Assad and different rebel groups it's hard to understand where the U.S. and its allies stand. In 2017 Trump Takes Office and hints that Assad should stay in power. During this year Assad knocks the rebels out of their last remaining stronghold in Aleppo. Then in spring Assad once again uses chemical weapons on his people killing 85 including 20 children. Back in the U.S. Trump launches its first attack on Syria creating more confusion to the state of things.
Now 2018 there is still no end in sight for the Syrian civil war as each state is backed by different outside sources and the ISIS continues its extremist acts.