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There is no single group opposing Assad; there are numerous such groups and this comes from the fractured nature of the Syrian resistance.
Initially, the Arab Spring protests which has uprooted the regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and threatened to uproot those in other countries migrated to Syria. The values that undergirded the original Arab Spring in Syria included campaigning for more democracy, developing economic self-sufficiency and equality, freedom to criticize the government, unified Syrian citizenship (as opposed to ethnic and religious loyalties), and transparent government. After a few weeks, the regime decided to open fire on the protesters, thus leading to open conflict. As a result, the Arab Spring values have fallen by the wayside as the conflict has escalated and continues to escalate. Currently over 200,000 people have died.
Syrian Civil War
As a result of the Assad Regime militarily attacking the protesters, a number of those protesters took to arms and began a rebel campaign to overthrow Assad. In this chaos, al-Qaeda of Iraq crossed the border into Syria and founded Islamic State and the Syrian Kurds declared independence. To further clarify, in the Syrian Civil War currently, there are currently four sides:
1. Government of Syria: Bashar al-Assad and the Government of Syria come from the Alawite minority which was historically discriminated against because their religion is a post-Islamic religion (even though Iran has "certified them" to be part of Twelver Shiite Islam). As a result, they do not want to cede power to the Sunni majority who will likely discriminate against them again as they had in the past. In contrast to most ethnic conflicts in the Middle East, many other Syrian minorities such as the Christians and Druze (another post-Islamic Religion) and the Shiite Muslims in Syria have thrown their weight behind Bashar al-Assad and the Alawites, preferring moderate Alawite discrimination to possible Islamic fundamentalism. They fear worse will come under Sunni-dominated rule, especially since while Assad was Secular, his opposition was Islamist and will likely rule harshly over non-Sunni religious groups.
The Government of Syria is currently supported by Iran and Russia and controls most of Syria.
2. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL): ISIL is an extremist Sunni Islamist organization which used to have links to al-Qaeda before al-Qaeda condemned them for their barbarity. They are fighting to bring the Sunni majority into power, especially in Sunni majority regions of both Syria and Iraq, and impose a more fundamentalist view on politics. They consider themselves to be fighting the injustices and violence of the current Assad regime and the inequalities of the US-supported Government of Iraq. ISIL is primarily supported and armed by Saudi Arabia, but the US and UK have indirectly given ISIL millions of dollars and equipment since US and UK military vehicles and assets left to the Government of Iraq have fallen into ISIL hands (especially with the fall of Mosul). They also see Alawites as being unfit to rule because they are not true Muslims and according to their reading of Qur'anic Verse 3:28 (cited below), no non-Muslim should have power over Muslims. Considering that Sunnis are the majority of the country, they do not understand why the minority Alawites and their Druze, Christian, and Shiite allies should dictate policy.
ISIL controls significant amounts of land in Syria and Iraq and conquered much of its Iraqi territory in June 2014.
3. Kurds and the Peshmerga: The Kurds, a Sunni ethnic minority (as opposed to a religious minority), are primarily concerned with protecting their minority in northern Iraq and Syria. Syrian Kurdistan (YPG) is the name of their de facto independent polity and the Peshmerga is the name of the militias that fight on behalf of that authority. The Syrian Kurds are increasingly under attack by ISIL and Western bombing campaigns and funds have helped balance the equation. While both Iraqi Kurds and Syrian Kurds support the idea of Kurdish unity, there have been difficulties uniting all of the Kurds under one banner.
Iraqi Kurds control areas in Iraq and Syrian Kurds control areas in Syria. Iraqi Kurdistan has helped and supported their Kurdish brothers across the border.
4. Free Syrian Army: The Rebels of Syria split between those who were more Islamist in their outlook and joined with ISIL (above) and those who are more liberal in their outlook and are considered to be interested in democracy. The Free Syrian Army is composed of those more liberal rebels, but they are weaker in the overall struggle than both the Syrian Government and ISIL. They are fighting to bring the Sunni majority into power and consider themselves to be fighting the injustices and violence of the current Assad regime and the atrocities of his father, including the Hama Massacre of 1982 which may have claimed as many as 40,000 civilian lives. Considering that Sunnis are the majority of the country, they do not understand why the minority Alawites and their Druze, Christian, and Shiite allies should dictate policy.
The Sunni Islamist factions (more strongly ideologically aligned with ISIL) are primarily supported and armed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia while the Democratic Pretenders are armed by the United States. The Sunni Islamist factions, especially Jubhat an-Nusra (the Al-Nusra Front), have met with much more military success than the more democratic groups in the Free Syrian Army.
What else can I help you with?
Who is the President of Syria in 2014?
Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria in 2014.al-Assad is the son of Hafez al-Assad, who was president of Syria from 1971 - 2000. After Bashar Al-Assad's father's death on 2000 June 10, he became the president one month later on July 17. In 2011 a civil unrest began, provoking a violent response and eventually leading into the Syrian civil war. The war continues to this day with over 200,000 deaths recorded so far.
What is the most recent conflicts in Syria?
People are dying under the bullets and bombs of their bloody and dictatorial president, and unfortunately, no one is caring.... They are dying because after 40 years they decided to stand up to the dictator bashar al-assad and want to choose their president and elect him instead of a president coming into power by force. This is coming to an end but it won't happen very soon because the other countries are not helping that much.
When did the civil war in Syria begin?
Also known as the Syrian Uprising is an ongoing armed conflict taking place in Syria. The unrest began in the early spring of 2011 within the context of Arab Spring protests, with nationwide protests against President Bashar al-Assad's government, whose forces responded with violent crackdowns.
Did the us start the war in Syria?
The U.S. did not initiate the war in Syria; the conflict began in 2011 as part of the broader Arab Spring, with protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The situation escalated into a civil war involving various domestic and international actors. The U.S. became involved later, primarily supporting opposition groups and conducting airstrikes against ISIS, but it was not the catalyst for the war's outbreak.
What did bashar al-assad do?
Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria, having taken office in July 2000 after succeeding his father, Hafez al-Assad. His leadership has been marked by significant political repression, economic challenges, and a brutal civil war that began in 2011, resulting in widespread humanitarian crises and massive displacement of the population. Assad's government has been accused of numerous human rights violations, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians. Despite international condemnation, he has maintained power with support from allies like Russia and Iran.
What countries are Syria at war with?
Syria is primarily involved in a complex civil war that began in 2011, with various factions fighting against the government led by President Bashar al-Assad. The conflict has drawn in multiple foreign actors, including Russia and Iran supporting the Syrian government, while the U.S. and Turkey have backed various opposition groups. Additionally, Syria has faced tensions with Israel over the Golan Heights and conflict with Kurdish forces in the northeast. However, it is not officially at war with any country in the traditional sense, as the situation is more characterized by internal and proxy conflicts.
What leader killed tens of thousands of people in his country who wanted him to step down from power?
The leader you are referring to is likely Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria. During the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, Assad's government violently suppressed protests and dissent, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. His regime has been accused of committing war crimes and using chemical weapons against civilians in an effort to maintain power.
What was unusual about bashes al Assad the longtime president of the Arab nation of Syria?
Bashar al-Assad, the longtime president of Syria, is unusual in that he was initially seen as a potential reformer when he succeeded his father, Hafez al-Assad, in 2000. However, instead of implementing significant reforms, his regime became synonymous with brutal repression, particularly during the Syrian Civil War that began in 2011. His reliance on military force and sectarian strategies to maintain power starkly contrasts with the expectations many had for a more progressive leadership. Additionally, his background as an ophthalmologist with little prior political experience set him apart from many of his contemporaries in the region.
In which country were tens of thousands of people killed as its president to stay in power?
In Syria, tens of thousands of people have been killed during the civil war that began in 2011, largely as a result of the government's crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad. The conflict escalated as Assad sought to retain power amid widespread dissent, leading to a protracted and devastating war involving multiple factions and foreign interventions. The humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict has had far-reaching implications for the region and beyond.
Was Syria with or against Hitler?
Syria was a French Colony when the war began. When France was invaded & defeated by Germany, then Syria came under the control of the Vichy French government which was an ally of Germany (Hitler). The Vichy French in Syria did very little to help Hitler, because they were too distant from where Germany was fighting. The British military in the Middle East defeated the Vichy French forces in Syria early in the war, thereafter Syria was under the control of Britain until the end of the war. Although combat between the British & Hitler's allies (Vichy French) took place in Syria, Syria & its citizens were generally not allied with either side during the war.
When revolutionary war began most americans believed they were fighting for?
A redress of grievances against the British Empire
Why did war happen in Syria?
The war in Syria began in 2011 as part of the broader Arab Spring movement, when peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime were met with violent repression. The situation escalated into a full-scale civil war as various opposition groups emerged, fueled by grievances over political repression, corruption, and economic hardship. The conflict has been further complicated by the involvement of various external powers and the rise of extremist groups, leading to a multifaceted and prolonged humanitarian crisis.
