-
Initial Call from the People
Protests in Damascus and Deraa demand the release of political prisoners. Security forces and police shoot several people in Deraa, triggering days of violent unrest that gradually spread nationwide over the following months. This event is significant because it shows what the initial cause of the revolution was and what the people wanted from initially requested from the government. The government, however, did not welcome these protesters very willingly and clashed with the civilian people. -
Tanks Invade Civilian Suburbs
Tanks enter Deraa, Banyas, Homs, and suburbs of Damascus to destroy anti-regime protests. US and European Union constrict authorizations. President Assad announces forgiveness to political prisoners. This event expresses how the government responded to the protests that were taking place. More than 15 Syrian tanks entered Deraa. Witnesses stated that the assault was focused mainly on Deraa's old quarter (the Old City), which is situated on a hill near the Jordanian border. -
Russia and China Veto UN Resolution
Russia and China block a UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria (led by the UK). The resolution discussed the issue of condemning the continuous human rights violations and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities. More than 7,500 people have died since the security began their violent crackdown/attack civilians. The security council veto took place when 2 permanent members of the security council took action. This event reveals China and Russia's stance on Syria. -
Syria-Turkey Tension Increases
Tension increases between the two neighbouring countries when Syria bombs a Turkish border town, kills five people and injurs at least ten Turkish civilians. Turkey returns fire and blocks a Syrian plane supposedly carrying arms from Russia. Both countries restrict each other's planes from their own air space. This event expresses the frustration that is dealt with when one of two neighbouring countries is having issues and has people from there escaping to the other nearby country. -
Aerial Assault on Raqqa
Syrian warplanes bomb the northern city of Raqqa after rebels gain control. US and Britain pledge non-military aid to rebels, and Britain and France propose lifting European Union arms prohibition. Rebel National Coalition elects US-educated technocrat Ghassan Hitto as interim (temporary) prime minister. This event shows how the Syrian government is responding to more of the rebel protests. -
Syrian Chemical Weapons Inspection
President Assad allows international inspectors to begin destroying Syria's chemical weapons on the basis of a US-Russian agreement. This event shows how finally president Bashar El-Assad agrees to cooperate with outside forces and lets grants the international weapons inspectors full acccess to the chemical weapons sites although he (Presdient Assad) stated that the rebels might prevent the weapons inspectors from reaching certain locations containing chemical weapon sites. . -
"Syria is not a revolution anymore - this is a Civil War"
The conflict between the rebels and the Islamists has replaced the original causes for the revolution and transformed the Syrian Revolution into a Syrian Civil War. The goals of the people (civilian protesters, soldiers, etc.) have been altered and the people involved in the war (90%, if not more, of the population) have found themselves fighting in favor of a completely irrelevant cause. This is because it escalated from a revolution into a chaotic war involving various political parties.
