Conflict in Syria: the parties, where everything began

The conflict in Syria has been going on for more than four years and is accompanied by mass casualties. Events are constantly getting into the spotlight of the world's media. A lot of parties are involved in the war. Many countries are involved in the crisis.

Conflict in Syria: how did it all start?

The war in the Middle East is still going on. Approximately in 2011, the conflict in Syria began. The reasons are different for each of the current parties. But it all started with anti-government protests. The Baath Party has ruled in Syria for more than 70 years. In recent years, Bashar Assad has been the president. Encouraged by the "Arab Spring" in other countries, the opposition begins to radically criticize the government and encourages its supporters to go out. In the spring, speeches sharply deteriorated. There are fierce clashes of protesters with the police and the army. Constantly there are reports of the dead. A number of northern provinces are practically not controlled by the government. Bashar Assad says he is ready to seek a compromise and dissolve the cabinet. But it was too late.
An important role played by social networks. Through Facebook and Twitter, the opposition coordinated its actions and called on people to act as disobedience. By the summer the conflict in Syria is gaining new momentum. Opponents of power create armed groups, the West supports them and threatens Assad with sanctions in the event of the use of force.

Syria: History of Conflict

The clashes take the form 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 of the government army. In the autumn, fighting does not stop. The EU and the US actively support the insurgents, hand over their technical and material assistance. A number of Western allies are imposing sanctions against Syria. Government forces succeeded in defeating a number of cities and ensuring reliable protection of Damascus. The rebels declare plans to attack Allepo, the second most populous city after the capital. They take several unsuccessful assaults.

International presence

The conflict in Syria is beginning to attract more and more external players. Turkey officially starts supporting the opposition. In the summer of 2012, immediately after the declaration of entry into the war, government troops shoot down the Turkish aircraft and open fire for other purposes. Later, the artillery covers the column of Turkish cars after crossing the border.

Libya and Iran are beginning to support Assad. Arriving in Syria armed members of the formation of Hezbollah (can be translated as "the party of Allah"). Together with them, the Syrian army liberates Al Quseir. In winter, the Assad regime begins a large-scale offensive, which brings significant success. Against this background, constant terrorist attacks are taking place in cities controlled by the government.
Opposition troops are less suited to their stereotype in the West. Islamists join the armed formations. "Al-Qaeda" sends a significant contingent to Syria. The cells of this terrorist organization organize training camps.

Relations with Turkey are strained. There are several armed clashes. The Turkish parliament allows the use of armed forces against Syria, but the war does not begin. Some countries of the Persian Gulf, which are allies of the United States, provide regular assistance to anti-government forces.

The Role of Kurdistan

The conflict in Syria has many different forces. Kurdistan is a serious player, it is often called a "third party". Kurds live in the east of Syria, in Iraq and Turkey. Their armed militia is called "Peshmerga". This organization was created to protect the territory on which ethnic Kurds live. Loyal to the regime of Assad, actively oppose "Igil".

Islamization of conflict

By 2014, a protracted war is gaining momentum. The "moderate" opposition practically does not play any role. It is still actively supported by the EU and the US, but in Syria, only the language of weapons is now understood. The main military operations are conducted by radical Islamists. The Jebhat an Nusra organization controls a large part of Syria. They are often called terrorists, the media reports that through the "opposition" from the US, Islamists receive help.

"Igil" is one of the most brutal and large organizations that catalyzed the conflict in Syria. The reasons for the success of this organization still cause controversy between analysts. The world learned about the IG (Islamic state) after its militants suddenly captured the large city of Mosul. On the controlled territory, the Islamists created their own state. The local population lives strictly according to Sharia law. For example, men are forbidden to cut their hair. For violating the rules, various cruel punishments are supposed.
One of the important components of the IG is propaganda. The world public was struck by a series of video recordings, in which militants execute prisoners. And murders occur with sophistication and are removed by professionals. IGIL is considered an international terrorist organization. A number of NATO countries and Russia are striking the territories of an Islamic state.