Syrian civil war Facts for Kids

Syrian Civil War map

The Syrian civil war, also known as the Syrian uprising (Arabic: الثورة السورية), or Syrian crisis (Arabic: الأزمة السورية), is an ongoing armed conflict in Syria. The Ba'ath government is fighting against people who want to remove this government. The conflict began on 15 March 2011, with demonstrations. These demonstrations were like demonstrations held in other Arab countries, which has been called the Arab Spring. Protesters in Syria demanded that President Bashar al-Assad resign. His family has held the presidency in Syria since 1971. Many of Assad's supporters are Shia while the majority of the opposition is Sunni.

In April 2011, the Syrian Army fired on demonstrators across the country. After months of military battles, the protests turned into an armed rebellion. Opposition forces were soldiers who had left the Syrian army and civilian volunteers. Opposition fighters had no central leadership. Battles took place in many towns and cities across the country. In late 2011 the Islamist group al-Nusra Front began to have a bigger role in the forces. In 2013 Hezbollah entered the war in support of the Syrian army.

The Syrian government , received military support from Russia and Iran. Qatar and Saudi Arabia gave weapons to the rebels. By July 2013, the Syrian government controlled approximately 30–40 percent of the country's territory and 60 percent of the Syrian population. A 2012 UN report said the battles were between different sects or groups. The battles were between Shia groups against Sunni rebel groups,.

According to the United Nations, over 100,000 people were killed by June 2013. A total of 120,000 were killed by September 2013. In addition, tens of thousands of protesters were put in jail. There were reports that the Syrian government was torturing prisoners. International organizations accused both government and opposition forces of breaching human rights. The UN said most of the abuses were carried out by the Syrian government. More than 4 million Syrians were forced to relocate because of the battles and more than 2 million refugees left their country. Millions of citizens are still short of electricity, food and drinking water.

In 2013 the Syrian regime used Chemical weapons against the rebels. This drew attention from the international community. The government reportedly surrendered their chemical weapons in 2014 but continued the war using other weapons. Later in 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant became the most powerful opposing army, controlling more territory than the Syrian government itself.

With all of this going on in Syria,5.6 million Syrians were forced to flee to other countries.

Images for kids

Anti-Assad protests in Baniyas, April 2011
Protests in Douma
The foreign ministers of Russia, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Turkey in Vienna, before a four-way discussion focused on Syria, 29 October 2015
Illustration of the main factions involved in the Syrian Civil War and affiliations by 2016
Two destroyed Syrian Army tanks in Azaz, August 2012.
The funeral procession of Syrian General Mohammed al-Awwad who was assassinated in Damascus in 2012
Free Syrian Army fighters being transported by pickup truck
FSA soldiers plan during the Battle of Aleppo (October 2012).
Islamic campaign in support of Syrian opposition
Kurds showing their support for the PYD in Afrin during the conflict
Syrian National Coalition members in Doha, 11 November 2012. In center, president al-Khatib, along with VPs Seif and Atassi, as well as all SNC chairmen Ghalioun, Sieda and Sabra.
Esther Brimmer (U.S.) speaks at a United Nations Human Rights Council urgent debate on Syria, February 2012
US aid to Syrian opposition forces, May 2013
Syrian refugees in Lebanon living in cramped quarters (6 August 2012).
Map of Syria's ethno-religious composition in 1976
Doctors and medical staff treating injured rebel fighters and civilians in Aleppo
Syria peace talks in Vienna, 30 October 2015

Syrian civil war facts for kids

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