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Hafez-al Assad Rises to Power
In November of 1970 Hafez al-Assad rises to power, after successfully overthrowing the president of the nation. -
Hafez al-Assad's first son DIES
In the year 1994, Hafez al-Assad’s first child, and supposedly successor, Basil al-Assad, is involved in a fatal car accident. -
Hafez al-Assad Dies, 2nd Son, Bashar Reigns
In the year 2000, president Hafez al-Assad succumbs to a fatal heart attack and is succeeded by his second son, Bashar al-Assad. -
Government Armed Forces Fire at Protesters
The Arab Spring (Northeast Africa, Middle East) demonstrators protested for the release of political prisoners and fraudulent elections, and the government began shooting them.
The protesters started shooting back, defected from Assad’s military, and formed themselves as the Free Syrian Army, becoming rebels. After the formation of the Free Syrian Army, the people from around the region started joining them. In response, Assad release Jihadists prisoners to attack the rebels. -
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SYRIAN CRISIS
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Turkey Joins in War after Plane was Shot
fter a Turkish plane is shot down, Turkey declares that it will see any and all Syrian troops who attempt to approach its borders as a dangerous threat. -
Bombing of Free Syrian Army (FSA)
Three security chiefs are killed in the city of Damascus as a result of a bombing by the relatively newly created militant group which goes by the name, “Free Syrian Army”, or FSA in short. -
Other Countries Get Involved
The Kurds, who want to be autonomous, back away from Assad’s rule. Iran gives resources and helps Assad, while the Gulf states (Arab states on the Persian Gulf) send weapons to the rebels through Turkey. Hezbollah (Lebanese group supported by Iran) helps Assad. Gulf States continue to give resources to the rebels which includes Jordan. Russia and US are fighting through Syria. -
Assad's forces Attack Ghouta (city in Damascus, Syria)
In September 2013, Assad attacks Ghouta area using chemical weapons but US told them to stop, if not, they would sent military artillery on them. Russia (a BFF of Syria) announced that Syria gave up chemical weapons to the international community, (to prevent an attack from USA.) USA eventually backs down. However, in the recent chemical attack in April 2017, it seems like Syria has kept some chemical weapons, particularly bombs... -
ISIS takes over Palmyra
fighter from the terrorist organisation ISIS successfully capture Palmyra, which is a city that is located in Central Syria. They then begin the destruction of ancient monuments which are in the city. -
Turkey bombs the Kurds, but not ISIS
Turkey bombs the Kurds, but does not bomb ISIS. Turkey is enemies with the Kurds. USA is "friends" with the Kurds. But Turkey and USA are kind of friends. -
Russia shoots anti-Assad groups
Russian Federation begins airstrikes in Syria, which they claim to be targeted against ISIS, however many people claim that many of the casualties are anti-Assad groups. -
Assad retakes Palmyra
With the aid of Russian air power, as-Assad’s forces retake Palmyra from ISIS hands. -
Donald Trump Elected President
Donald Trump gets elected as President, who says that Assad should stay in power. His stance later changes when Assad uses chemical bombs on the Syrians, and the US, in return sends 59 tomahawk missiles on a Syrian base. -
Recent Action on the Issue
Turkey, Russia, and Iran come together to try to implement a ceasefire between al-Assad’s forces and the non-Islamist groups which oppose them. -
Assad Uses Chemical Weapons for the 2nd Time
Assad uses chemical weapons (bombs) on Syria, killing lots of people. This causes Trump to change his attitude towards Assad. Just a few days later, USA launches 59 tomahawk missiles that hits an airbase in Syria – the first time USA is directly attacking Assad’s regime. This suggests that Syria has kept some chemical weapons from the 2013 Ghouta chemical weapon attack