In March 2011, protests erupted in Syria as part of the Arab Spring movement, leading to a brutal civil war that has lasted for over a decade. President Bashar al-Assad initially promised reforms but later cracked down violently on protesters. Armed opposition groups emerged, with both sides receiving support from international allies.
In 2012, Assad’s inner circle suffered a blow when several senior officials were killed in a bombing. The conflict worsened in 2013 when chemical weapons attacks killed hundreds, prompting international calls for military intervention. However, a deal was made to place Syria’s chemical weapons under international control to avoid military action.
Despite this, Assad’s forces continued using indiscriminate weapons such as barrel bombs. With the rise of ISIS in 2013, international efforts shifted to defeating the extremist group. Russia’s military intervention in 2015 further strengthened Assad’s position.
By 2017, Assad regained control of most major cities, with rebels confined to pockets of territory. In 2018, Assad’s forces advanced in Idlib, with Turkish intervention to protect rebel-held areas. As the conflict nears its end, Assad has begun rebuilding Syria through infrastructure projects and attracting foreign investment.
Controversially, Law 10 was enacted to allow the government to seize property from displaced Syrians, redistributing it to loyalists. Despite the devastating impact of the war, Assad seems to have solidified his hold on power and is working towards rebuilding the country.
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