In March of 2011, Syrian pro-democracy protests lead to the deaths of several citizens. By 2012, Syria is in a civil war, starting with a casualty number of 90,000, but stretching to a dangerous 250,000 by 2015. On September 12th, 2016, a ceasefire was called in Syria.

Despite the ceasefire, it is far too early to say that conflict has even approached an end in Syrian history. As if the war within Syria’s borders is not enough, war rages on with Russia outside the walls. A list of every event to happen in Syria in the last 8 years could be never-ending, with strike upon protest upon massacre.  

To simplify the immense conflict involving Syria in the past 8 years:

March 2011: Pro-democracy protests break out in the southern city of Deraa after teens were arrested and tortured over rebellion slogans being painted in protest. These protests were later found at the wrong end when security forces open fired, leading to many civilian deaths. Newly found unrest in Syria results in the demand of the resignation of President Assad.  

2012: A civil war in Syria is now full-fledged as violent responses of the pro-democracy protest are sparking inspiration for a revolution. By August 2015, over a quarter million deaths had been recorded.

2012-2013: A mass series of war crimes are made bright to the public eye from both sides.

August 2013: In the late summer, rockets filled with sarin nerve gas were fired at several suburbs of Damascus, a Syrian city. Western powers said it could only have been carried out by Syria’s government, but the government blamed rebel forces. This is chemical warfare, a tactic rarely used since WWII. President Assad agreed to finish the removal and destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, but this task was not fully completed until the summer of 2014.

2012-2016: Efforts to obtain peace have been made consistently through the years, starting in 2012 when the UN called for the 2012 Geneva Communique. In early 2014, another attempt, known as Geneva II, broke down after only two rounds.

September 12th, 2016: A ceasefire was called to provide aid to citizens caught in the middle of the Syrian Civil War.

September 17th, 2016: A US Air Raid involving the British Military mistakenly kills 60 Syrian soldiers, rather than their target of Islamic State Positions.

September 19th, 2016: The Syrian Military call the ceasefire to a halt, and the US believe it was a Russian aircraft that struck near Aleppo, reportedly killing 12 on impact. One day later, the damage suggests the death of 5 medical employees, with a total over just over 20 deaths. Russia takes no claim to the strike, denying involvement altogether and stating that the incident started from a fire, rather than an air strike. Ben Rhodes, White House Spokesman, states, “There only could have been two entities responsible, either the Syrian regime or the Russian Government.” The attack has lead to the UN suspending all aid convoys headed to Syria, as well as major destruction of efforts to bring peace to Syria.  

September 20th, 2016: The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, stated in a UN meeting that the future of Syria is holding on by a thread. John Kerry urges all planes be grounded to ensure the safety of those aboard and below the crafts.

There is sure to be more about the Syrian War, on the ground and in the air, in the upcoming days and week on news channels. President Obama has discussed the conflict in his last UN address, focusing on the “growing contest” between authoritarianism and democracy in the face of terror, and the refugee crisis. The Syrian Civil war has killed over 250,000 and displaced some 11 million refugees, and the President takes mention of the citizens we must keep safe as a world, rather than giving more press to the damage within the walls of Syria’s borders.

All news up to date as of September 20th, 2016.

Reports from BBC and PBS NewsHour in regards to Syrian Conflict and President Obama’s Last UN Address:

PBS NewsHour. “Dangers of Isolationism, Syria Top Obama’s Last UN Address.” PBS. PBS, 20 Sept. 2016. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.

News, BBC. “Syria War: John Kerry Urges Planes to Be Grounded.” BBC News. BBC News, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.

News, BBC. “Syria: The Story of the Conflict.” BBC News. BBC News, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.

News, BBC. “Syria Conflict: Air Strike Kills Four Medical Workers.” BBC News. BBC News, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.