- President: Bashar al-Assad (Ba'ath Party)
- Capital: Damascus (Largest city: Aleppo)
- Protests against the holding of political prisoners escalated into armed rebellion after security forces intervened in March 2011
Protests began in Damascus in March 2011 and quickly became nationwide. Security forces fired on protestors with army presence increased in May in an effort to prevent/crush anti regime protests. Suicide bombings in Damascus (December 2011) were the first of many that continued into the new year with each side blaming the other. A year later the US and Britain, among others, recognised the opposition (National Coalition) as the people's representative, later pledging non-military aid.
Current Situation
Though rebels control areas to the North and East of Aleppo the city itself is still contested. Recent regains by government forces would indicate that they are gaining the upper hand.
The UN estimates that over 100,000 people have died in the conflict so far with over 1.7 million being displaced but no-one seems to be doing anything about it.
"Is the world simply watching?"
With the US and UK already fighting wars in two countries the situation in Syria can be slightly overlooked. Despite the lack of forceful intervention this doesn't mean nothing has been done. The US, EU and the Arab League were quick to tighten sanctions on Syria as 2011 with demands for President Assad's resignation in August 2012.
Russia, despite Western pressure, and Iran are both arming the government. Arming the rebels is proving a delicate issue with many countries suspected of doing so denying it. The decisions of who to arm (within the rebel factions) is a complex one, many are extreme and affiliations questionable. If consideration is not made we may find ourselves arming our own enemies; Al-Qaeda (Iraq) is among those openly arming rebel groups
"Is a heavier handed approach needed?"
All you have to do is look at Iraq and Afghanistan to see where going in guns blazing has got us before. Not only are we already fighting two wars but we're also restructuring and reducing our forces. It's arguable that we're not even in a position to launch a military operation in the area.
"What happens next?"
A red line was drawn by Barack Obama last year; the use of chemical weapons. It's now agreed that this has occurred and in June the US pledged military aid to the rebels though what this will entail is unclear. If troops are inserted it is difficult to imagine other countries not following. With withdrawals from Afghanistan almost complete we may find ourselves fighting yet another conflict in the Middle East.
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Definitions
Arab League: 22 members. Facilitates political, economic, cultural and social progress and protection within the Arab world.
Sources
www.bbc.co.uk
