Within the ever-changing landscape of the Middle Eastern Region, Syria is consistently in the news due to its strategic location and the present set of local and global problems. Located in the northwest portion of the Middle East, Syria is bordered by Turkey to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. Mostly composed of Sunni Arabs, Syria is also the home to a diverse ethnic group that includes Armenians, Assyrians, Kurds, and Turks. The capital of Syria is Damascus and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (CIA Fact Book). Once a part of the Ottoman Empire, Syria was controlled by France following World War I until it gained its independence in 1946. …show more content…
There is a wide variety of groups taking part in the conflict ranging from moderate in both the political and religious realm in the form of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to much more radical groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Al Sham (ISIS). Due to the fundamental differences in religious ideology as well as tactics, much infighting has occurred between the groups, creating a two front war with ISIS currently winning both sides. In an effort to take back Syria, Assad and those forces loyal to him have used brutal tactics on opposing forces to include chemical attacks on areas believed to be rebel strongholds, killing civilians as well as rebel militants. Meanwhile, the United States joined with the UN and League of Arabs to impose economic sanctions on Syria. These economic sanctions coupled with the violence have led to an extreme case of instability in the region causing oil prices to increase globally. However, with the speed at which ISIS has taken control over and secured the area from Raqqa, Syria all the way east past the Iraqi border and into the Al Anbar province, the United States are rethinking its sanctions. The Syrian military is in possession of chemical weapons. If Assad was to fall to ISIS, what kind of terror could ISIS further cause to the region if not globally? Many in Washington know we need Assad as an ally in order to quell not only the rebellion
The French’s mandate over Syria after World Ware One had an irrevocable impact on the nations’s communal factions. The mandate lasted from 1920-1946 and they begun their rule with intentionally made sectarian divisions. They were made in order to prevent Arab nationalism and stifle national independence movements. The divisions were made my religious and national minority. Granting the minorities independent status locations where they make up the majority. For example, there was a large population of Alawites in the mountain range behind Latakia, the French declared them a separate state. The Druze were granted the right and ability to govern themselves in the city of Jabal, just south of Damascus. The one religious group that did
In document E multiple solid points are brought up on the influence of ISIS on the rebellion : “ ISIS has changed the course of the Syrian war. It has forced the mainstream Syrian opposition to fight on two fronts… ISIS is a group with an international profile and and extremeist view of Islamic rule. And it has shown its readiness to take on any Syrians it doesn’t like opposition or regime supporters. “ This gives us a wild card among the violence, one that causes violence for both sides, which is just like stirring the pot. It weakens the rebellion, causing to fight two things, and will provide fuel until people stop supporting the group, which could be
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has been in charge since 2000, following on from his late father who ruled for 30 years. Commencing in March of 2011, an anti-regime uprising has since escalated into Civil War where it has been estimated that more than 400,000 have been killed (CNN, 2017). Just this death toll alone proves the danger and inhumane conditions the people of Syria have been living in for over six years. Controlling large areas of Northern and Eastern Syria, Islamic State (IS) have been left battling government forces, rebel brigades and air strikes from
In Syria there are two main religions: Islam and Christianity. Muslims are followers of Islam, and there are two types of Muslims: Sunni and Shias. Muslims mostly live in northeastern Syria, some in Damascus, and the rest are scattered around Syria. There are many types of
Syria is located on the middle east and is really close to Europe or the area where we call Eurasia. It shares border with Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Turkey. For the problem, it began in early 21st century, Syria have encountered a civil war which has affected everything in the country, from the very basic needs to the serious issues.
Syria and America both have very similar governments. There are only a few assets which makes syrian government Republic and us a Federal Republic. Syria’s government has three branches: legislative, executive and judicial ( Just like America!).
Syria, an important and influential country in the Middle East resides on the four corners of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Syria’s history dates back many centuries and covers the multi-highway of commerce and religion. Both the ancient Silk Road between the Mediterranean and China and the Pilgrim’s Road to Mecca pass routed throughout Syria. Although the country’s population is 86% Muslim, the oldest Semitic language of Aramaic written in parts of the Hebrew Bible is still spoken today.
The country of Syria is a pivotal coastal country located in the Middle East. It shares its northern border with Turkey, southern border with Jordan, east and southeast border with Iraq, and southwest border with Lebanon and Israel. The coastal region
In 1936 the French decided to decolonize the area. Syria and Lebanon would continue as independent states. Ironically, it is exactly where Suleiman al-Assad looked
The Syrian Wars were one of the most devastating in the Hellenistic world; they changed the political and economic landscape of the region permanently in a way that hadn 't happened since the conquests of Alexander. These wars brought about the end of the Pharaohs, they allowed Rome to come and seize Egypt and Syria, and Parthia to annex what was left of the Seleukid dynasty. The massive impact these wars had upon the Hellenic world cannot be understated. Egypt would never rise to its former glory. It would become another province of Rome, later to be held by the Byzantines, and then Fatimids, where it would not regain true independence until 1922, shaking itself from British colonial rule. It is a shame that these wars are not given the rigorous study that they deserve. This paper aims to explore the Syrian Wars in three ways. It will begin with discussing how the death of Alexander the Great and his inability to form a sustainable bureaucracy and a proper heir set the stage for his generals to fight each other for his empire. It will focus upon the actions of Ptolemy and his successors, and their role in the Syrian wars, and how Ptolemaic power declined as the wars raged on. It will conclude by explaining how the aftermath of these wars lead to the demise of Ptolemaic power, and their eventual absorption into Rome. Because of the length of the timeline that will be discussed here (this paper will attempt to describe 200 years of history in under 15 pages), a narrative
Syria and Lebanon are two dramatically different states with a deeply intertwined history. They were both born out of French interventionism following World War 1, and have experienced complex and strained relations ever since. The two nations have both experienced prodigious political turmoil since gaining their independence, with both suffering from civil wars and conflict with their mutual neighbor, Israel. The war and turmoil that has plagued these two countries can be traced back to various competing national interests, as well as a struggle for regional power. The various religious groups in the area have historically formed transnational advocacy networks with the intent of influencing regional politics. These groups have proved to of been a major factor in the history of both nations.
The Syrian Civil War has had a profound effect of all Syrians as well as neighbouring countries and the international community. With more than 11 million homeless Syrians comes consequences beyond what most of the world population has ever experienced or anticipated. Of the displaced, almost 5 million are refugees outside Syria and around 6 million have been displaced inside Syria, with half of all displaced Syrians being children. The main causes of displacement amongst the population is the violence committed by all sides of the war, and which often targets civilians or centres of high civilian activity (such as markets, hospitals, schools, workplaces or high density residential areas). One main group heavily affected by the conflict
The Syrian conflict began in 2011 in the city of Daraa. The war began following the appearance of anti government graffiti was sprayed onto a school. With students facing repercussions from the government an effort to remove the current government (with the Assad family at the helm). A militia composed of locals and Jihadists, called the Free Syrian Army, along with other countries around the globe began showing their disapproval for the current regime. This culminated with the United Nations General Assembly meeting in 2012 agreeing to pass a resolution to crack down on President Assad. I have organized key events into the years they have occurred.
Damascus, Syria’s capital city has been a permanent settlement from as early as 9000 B.C. For thousands of years Syria has been a battleground for many wars from the Syrian wars which were a series of six wars between what is now Syria and the Egyptian Empire, to the current Civil War between the Basar Al-Assad regime and many rebel brigades. In the 7th and 8th century A.D., Syria while under Roman rule, were invaded and conquered by Arabs. The fall was partially due to the current emperor of the Roman Empire, Heraclius, falling
Syria which formerly was called Al Sham or Levant is located in Western Asia. This country has borders with Turkey to the north Iraq to the east Jordan to the south Israel to the south east and Lebanon and Mediterranean Sea to the west. Before 1516 Syria was part of Mamluk Empire centered in Egypt. In 1516 the Ottoman Sultan, Selim, conquered Syria, after defeating the Mamluk near Aleppo in Northern Syria. After sometimes he changed the whole Syria into one Eyalat named Sam (Syria). During the course of history the number of Eyalats was growing and in 1877. It had six provinces which were Aleppo Vilayet, Sanjak of Zor, Beirut Vilayet, Damascus vilaytat, Mutasarrifate of Mount Lebanon and Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem. Now the modern Syria which was established after First World War has fourteen governorates or Muhafazat. Each of the governorates is divided into sixty districts or Mantiqa, which are further divided into sub districts (Nahiya). Every Nahiya encompasses villages which are considered the smallest administrative unite. Each governorate is governed by a governor and is appointed by the ministry of interior and must gain the approval of the cabinet. The capital of the Syria is Damascus, which is located in the south of Syria.