The conflict in Syria has been growing in intensity and scope for over two years, with the United Nations estimating the displacement of people in the millions and the number of deaths over 100,000. It is crucial to stay informed as much as possible on this devastating crisis.
Here’s some background information to get you up to speed on the current situation in Syria:
- March 2011- Security forces fired shots on protestors in Deraa, triggering days of violent unrest that continued to cross the nation in the following months.
- May 2011- Tanks rolled into Deraa, Banyas, Homs, and suburbs of Damascus, in attempt to control anti-regime protests.
- December 2012- The United States joined several other countries in recognizing Syria’s opposition National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
- April 2013- The U.S. and Britain demand to investigate reports of Syrian government forces using chemical weapons.
- September 2013- United Nations weapons inspectors conclude that chemical weapons were used in an attack in August 2013 that killed 300 people in the Ghouta area of Damascus.
- October 2013-International inspectors begin destroying the chemical weapons (based on a U.S.-Russia agreement) with President Assad’s approval
So why does this matter to us?
The U.S. became involved first off because Syria’s use of chemical weapons crossed an inhumane line of warfare that the U.S. refused to tolerate. As a major contributor to the UN’s budget, the U.S. is now indirectly funding peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts in Syria. Although the UN has attempted to bring aid into Syria, such attempts have been futile as the Syrian government has not been cooperating with the UN. Food has been held up at check points, medicine has been removed from trucks, and aid has been able to reach only 6% of the 200,000 people seeking assistance in besieged areas. Because of the UN’s lack of action, an unprecedented number of Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon. As of April 3, 2014, the number of refugees passed one million. There is now the concern of conflict spilling over into Lebanon and surrounding countries, whose neighborhoods have already experienced gun violence due to conflicting views of who to support in the Syrian civil war.
What’s next?
Syrian refugees are working to restart their lives in new lands. Given that the conflict is now in its fourth year, there are now established clinics, schools, playgrounds, and new infrastructure that has been planned. With no end in sight for this crisis, a new refugee camp is scheduled to open in Jordan at the end of this month.