FOREIGN POLICY & IMMIGRATION »» HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES »» SYRIAN CIVIL WAR »» Dec 21, 2020

Syria is engaged in a civil war between those loyal to the government of Bashar al-Assad and those who wish to oust him. This struggle began with peaceful protests in 2011 and escalated into bloodshed a month later when government soldiers fired on demonstrators throughout the country. Following months of military action, these protests evolved into an armed civil rebellion. This conflict has no clear front lines, with clashes taking place in many cities and towns. The rebel ranks, composed of ex-soldiers, foreign fighters and civilian volunteers are without centralized leadership. In 2016, the UN estimated this conflict