Question

1: Describe how the Syrian Civil War began. Describe three events that occurred:

2: How did the emergence of ISIS and Russia’s intervention affect the civil war?





3: This is an article about the “rules of war.” Please read it. How does this conflict, and especially Assad’s treatment of his own people, violate the rules of war?



KEY TERMS:

GENEVA CONVENTIONS: The Geneva Conventions are four treaties, and three additional protocols, that establish international legal standards for humanitarian treatment in war.

Answer 1

1.

The Syrian Civil War began in March 2011, when protests erupted against the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The protests were sparked by the Arab Spring, a wave of pro-democracy uprisings that swept across the Middle East and North Africa.

Three events that occurred early in the conflict include:

• The Assad government responded to the protests with a brutal crackdown, using tanks, helicopters, and snipers to kill protesters.
• The Free Syrian Army, a rebel group, formed to fight the Assad government.
• The Syrian government began to use chemical weapons against its own people.

2.

The emergence of ISIS and Russia’s intervention in the Syrian Civil War had a significant impact on the conflict.

• ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is a terrorist group that emerged in Iraq in 2014. ISIS quickly gained control of large swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq. The group has committed numerous atrocities, including mass executions, beheadings, and sexual slavery.
• Russia intervened in the Syrian Civil War in 2015, providing military support to the Assad government. Russia’s intervention has helped the Assad government to regain control of some territory, but it has also led to a significant increase in civilian casualties.

3.

The “rules of war” are a set of international laws that govern how wars are fought. The rules of war are designed to protect civilians and combatants from unnecessary harm.

The Syrian Civil War has been marked by numerous violations of the rules of war. These violations include:

• The use of indiscriminate weapons, such as cluster bombs and barrel bombs, which have killed and injured thousands of civilians.
• The use of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment against detainees.
• The denial of humanitarian access to civilians in need.

Assad’s treatment of his own people has been particularly egregious. He has used chemical weapons against his own people, and he has systematically tortured and killed detainees. Assad’s actions have been condemned by the international community, but he has so far escaped justice.

The Syrian Civil War is a complex and tragic conflict. It has caused immense suffering and loss of life. The conflict has also highlighted the importance of the rules of war and the need to hold those who violate them accountable.