Syrian Civil War

The Syrian Civil War was an armed conflict that began in March 2011 after anti-government protests in Syria were met with violent repression by the government of Bashar al-Assad.

The Syrian Civil War was an armed conflict that began in March 2011 after anti-government protests in Syria were met with violent repression by the government of Bashar al-Assad. It expanded into a multi-sided war involving government forces, rebel groups, Kurdish-led forces, jihadist groups, and foreign powers. Many sources treat the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 as the end of the civil war, though clashes continued into 2026.

Origins

The war emerged from anti-government protests in 2011, influenced by the wider Arab Spring. Protesters demanded political change, and the government's violent response accelerated the escalation into armed conflict.

Major phases of the war

The conflict developed into a complex civil war involving the Syrian government, rebel coalitions, Kurdish-led forces, the Islamic State, and several foreign militaries. Over time, battlefield control shifted through sieges, offensives, and foreign intervention.

Humanitarian impact

The war caused one of the largest displacement crises in the world and widespread civilian suffering. Sources describe it as among the most severe humanitarian emergencies of the 21st century.

End of the Assad government

In late 2024, opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured key cities and entered Damascus, leading Bashar al-Assad to flee Syria. Many references treat this as the collapse of the Assad regime and the effective end of the civil war's main phase.