Syria – a country located in the Middle East on the shore of the Mediterranean sea – is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Syria proclaimed its independence on 17th April 1946.
From its ancient roots to its recent political instability and the Syrian Civil War, the country has a complex and, at times, tumultuous history.
According to a report on BBC, more than 360,000 Syrians have lost their lives in four years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war.
Let’s take an in-depth review of the history of Syria and its conflict.
A Short Ancient History
Through ancient times, Syria was occupied and ruled by several empires, including the Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Romans.
When the Roman Empire fell, Syria became part of the Eastern or Byzantine Empire. In 637 A.D., Muslim armies defeated the Byzantine Empire and took control of Syria.
Then In 1516, the Ottoman Empire conquered Syria and remained in power until 1918. This was considered a relatively peaceful and stable period in Syria’s history.
Modern History
British and Arab troops captured Damascus and Aleppo in 1918, and the French took control of modern-day Syria and Lebanon in 1920. These arrangements put an end to roughly 400 years of Ottoman rule in the region.
From 1925 to 1927, Syrians united against the French occupation in what’s now known as the Great Syrian Revolt.
In 1936, France and Syria negotiated a treaty of independence, which allowed Syria to remain independent but gave France military and economic power.
During World War II, British and Free French troops occupied Syria, but shortly after the war ended, Syria officially became an independent country in 1946.
Syrian Civil War
Syria was under an Emergency Law since 1962, effectively suspending most constitutional protections for citizens. Its President Hafez al-Assad led Syria for nearly 30 years, banning criticism of the president and his family.
Even before the conflict began, many Syrians were complaining about high unemployment, corruption and a lack of political freedom under President Bashar al-Assad, who succeeded his father, Hafez, after he died in 2000.
The popular uprising, taking place in various cities in Syria, began on 26 January 2011. Pro-democracy protests erupted in March 2011 after the arrest and torture of some teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall.
In this regard, security forces opened fire on demonstration, killing several, more took to the streets. The unrest triggered nationwide protests demanding President Assad’s resignation.
The unrest spread and the crackdown intensified. The violence rapidly escalated and the country descended into civil war – which killed more than 360,000 people.
The ISIS took advantage of the civil war to recruit members with experience on the battleground wanted to oust Assad. ISIS and Assad’s regime have clashed, but both sides benefit from fighting the rebels.
Will the war end?
It does not look like it will anytime soon, but everyone agrees a political solution is required.
President Assad appears unwilling to negotiate with the opposition. The rebels still insist he must step down as part of any settlement.
There is a stern need for negotiation between the two parties as humanity has suffered the most out of it.
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