Syrian Citizens joined an uprising, called the Arab Spring. One group of 13 year old boys wrote a collaboration of an essay called “The Government Must Go”. The movement started, and was intended, to be an uprising for democracy. 5 years later, there is a full out war, and over 7 million Syrians are displaced. The crisis of the Syrians losing their land, heritage and culture is going to have lasting effects on the people and the world.
Bashar al- Assad
Bashar al- Assad is a Doctor, trained in Britian who inherited Syria on the death of his father,Hafez al- Assad. Hafez al- Assaad was a harsh and cruel dictator, who claimed Syria in 1971 in a coup d’etat. Bashar at first, would talk about not allowing the citizens to have democracy, however, he would sometimes in speeches hint between changing, and he would go back and forth between the two, of keeping Syria in Dictatorship and Democracy, even sometimes hints of reformation.
On March 15th 2011, Syria joined the uprising. In a small southern town of Syria, students protested the torture and beatings of students who wrote anti-government graffiti. People hit the streets with protests, (my Dena Uzunkaya account had Free Syria as my cover picture... for those of you who might remember) Assad declared Syria a state of emergency a couple of decades before. But, by much of the peoples shock, by April 2011 , Assad had lifted the state eof emergency and within a few days of that, he set off the first of what began to be a series of harsh crackdowns, by sending tanks into the cities more resistant, and “security forces” (Police and Army) opened fire on the demostrators. To many people in the news, he hid behind the lies that said he was trying to restore peace to the demonstrators, in reality he was escalating force, and perpetuated the state that Syria is presently in .
By May of 2011, hundreds of Syrians were leaving their homeland and seeking8 shelter in Turkey. As Bashar Assad’s relenting force was not easing, thousands of soliders of the Syrian Army defected to join the “Rebels”, and the Rebels by this point were called “Terrorists” by the Syrian Government and in a speech by Assad himseslf. These Rebels by this point were not Terrorists. The Syrian news reporters were being captured and tortured by Assad, and so the Syrian people would use their cell phones to record what was happening to them, while Assad blocked access to YouTube and other social medias, Those who knew how to hack and crack the governments code to post things were the ones who were able to show the world what was really going on. This was also the time where Syrian Army (Assad’s Army) were firing missiles into Turkey and in the areas where Syrian refugees were living and going to school. Homes and schools were the main targets, and hundreds of people died, including men, womena nd children. 48 Turkish Soldiers died,a nd were stationed there solely to protect the Syrians and make sure that Syrian Army does not come into Turkey.
December of 2011 The United Nations called the Syrian Crisis on the “verge of civil war”. Again, more Syrians were making their way into Turkey, and the Turkish Prime Minister anncounced the construction of new buildings for the refugees, as the Turkish people could not stand by to see such atrocities. Syrians were fleeing into Jordan or Turkey, as there were no other options for them to go. Some who were wealthier were able to f, and Sunni Muslim. flee to Britian, because they already had homes there, but the majority of the population of Syria are Middle Class Citizens. An opposing Government in exile was formed (In a small town outside Istandbul) called the Syrian National council. But the council’s division has kept Arab and Western Governments to not recognize it. It is not exactly sure when Assad fled Syria, however, he did, with his wife and childrenand is presently residing in Russia. His accounts and assests were frozen by the British Government (where he kept his money) in December of 2011 also. Syria was expelled from the Arab League at this time, because Assad’s refusal to stop fighting with the Syrian people, and his inability to st ore the peace. Assad did agree to allow the Arab League Council to visit and inspect, howeverm their presence did nothing to end the violence.
January 2012
U.S.A., Germany, and many other countries condemned the actions of the Syrian government and called for peace. The U.N. General Asssembly voted to approve of a unbridled crackdown on President Assad’s regime. China and Russia voted against getting involved (WHY Are they in hte UN at all?? Another Blog of mine!) Rumours had been floating around that in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan Al- Qadea Cells were being formed, and there were evidence found of suicide bombing being planned through out Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, scaring the reugees to coming. By this time, more than a million refugees had left Syria, and more missiles in Turkey. u.S.A. and The Neatherlands came into Turkey with over 600 of their Soldiers to help defend the borders of Turkey, Iran and Syria.
February 2012
The United Nations General Assembly voted to approve a resolution condeming President Assad on the uprising. China and Russia blocked all efforts for stronger security action (Why the heck are they in the UN? Another Blog!) The refugees became more tense because Al-Qaeda had moved into Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon. Fears were increased when evidence was found to confirm that Al Qeada was involved in suicide bombings in relation to Syria, Turkey and Jordan.
By Summer of 2012, Syrian people had already been suffering for over a year, and Assad’s regime unrelenting. Thousands of soliders from the Syrian Army defected to the people’s side nad began large number of attacks against the government. The conflict had greatly increased the tempo, and in June of 2012 alone, more than 3,000 civilians died. (June 2011 400) This year was also the time the government rages an unrelenting campaign to systemacially wipe out tens of thousands of people that had no opportunity to leave Syria, and were thrown in prison. They are presumed to be dead. Cities throughout Syria opposition had coalesced around army groups. They identified themselves as the Free Syrian Army. From the basis of the Turkish side of the reguees camps, aide had increased, including hospitals, medical care, food and more shelter.
As the rage continues, over the last four years, one Terrorist group is named completely incorrect. People call them “ISIS” This comes from a news reporter and news anchor in U.S.A. that had grossly missed read the prompt. They are I.S.I.L. for the Islamic State of the Levant. This terrorist group is actually using the name of God and religion to kill Muslims, Arabs (Da’esh are NOT all Arabs:: Most are Kurds!!), Iranians,Turks and Shi’ites. They were originally helping the cause of the Syrian people to democracy. They are terrorists though. It is been odd, however, many Germans, Americans and British (some women) have left their homes to fight with Da’esh. There are several people fighting this war. U.S.A., France, the Neatherlands, Britian, Saudi Arabia, and a colation called the Gulf States (Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait) are fighting along side each other. Syrian government is fighting along side of Russia,China (China has been in there since 2011, because my husband and I saw reports of them being there, but hten you don’t hear of them in there. However, there have been reports that China illuded to being there longer than they have admitted before) Hezbollah, Iran are all fighting together. People have said that The Free Syrian Army and Arabs are killing Christians in this War. There are Christian Militias in the war, and they are made of Assyrians, Syriac Arameans, and Armenians. They are fighting along side the Syrian Government. (Poor Christians, right?) They are fighting against American Soldiers...
To date, the Syrian war has displaced 23 million Syrians. Over 7 million refugees, only 4 million have registered as a refugee, but there are over 4 million remaining to register. They are of deep concern to the U.N. most of the refugees are in Turkey, and 1.3 million have been trying to get to Europe, but they are continually being kicked out. 62% of the 1 million in Europe are in Croatia, and Serbia, and Kosvo some Germany (before Germany said no more). 27% refugees able to make it to Europe are residing in Sweden, Austria, Hungary, and Denmark. 11% all other E.U. countries. turkey has continually asked for help and have continually rovided help to the refugees. The U.N. have asked for help. It will cost over 4 billion to help these people. So far the U.N. has raised 997 million in helping the refugees.
Ages of Syrian refugees. 52% of all the Syrian Refugees are ages 0-18. 43% are ages 18-50. the remaining are 50 and older.
The Syrian heritage has been at risk for the last 5 years now. Aleppo is one of the world’s oldest civilizations going back to 4,000 BCE or older, when the Hitties resided there. Damascus was an Ancient city that is over 2,000 years old. Clips and news reels of the anicent city of Palmyra are only pictures now as it was bombed by terrorists.
The Civil War:
USA, Turkey, Gulf States, Islamic Front, Fatah Halab, France, Turkmen, and many other sects.
Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, Syrian Government. (with many sects) And back up by North Korea.
My sources came from all over, and I also had personal experiences seeing it which I documented in my Journal. I also went onto Humanitrain and Civil Rights webpages for the remaining. I have done my best to write this without putting any of my personal feelings to keep it as objective as possible. this is a taste of what I blog about. I treid to not show all the political nuances because Syria has a long history, and this is the shortest version I could come up with to help you realize the severity of what is happening. I am so glad that I mayself have saved many things that were given to me by my exhusband’s mother who would sent me things from Syria. I have been able to help my daughter preserve her heritage this way. Interesting how a few years ago she told me to throw out everything from Syria. I did not listen to her, and now, there are hardly and civilians there now. Anyway, Thank you for reading this.
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