Syrian Civil War

Civil War in Syria started in 2011 when mass protests broke out against the Baathist regime of Bashar Al Assad. The protests started from Daraa and soon spread across the Syria, the Baathist's regime responded back with violent means and use of brute force.At first, it was considered to be a political movement for the rights of Syrian people but after the use of force the movement turned violent and took the shape of a mass rebellion against the government.

Involvement of regional powers like Saudi Arabia (based on Wahabism) and Iran (Shia-dominated) changed its political nature into a sectarian civil war in which the Alwite dominated government forces and allied Shia militias are fighting against the Sunni-dominated opposition.

In the civil war, Saudi Arab is supporting the Sunnis whereas Iran is supporting the Alwite ( an offshoot of Shia Islam) dominant government and allied militias including Hezbollah. The inclusion of Hezbollah further increased sectarian differences.

Gulf states with assistance from United States of America and Iran were supporting competing sides in the Syrian conflict. However, the inclusion of Russian federation proved to be a battle point between the Eastern and Western blocks. The United States of America is supporting moderate Sunni opposition groups whereas Russia is supporting Bashar Al Assad and his allies.

Before 2015 it was looking all over for Bashar Al Assad but when Russians sided with Bashar Al Assad it turned the tide for him. Bashar Al Assad, who was once looking down and out in the war has not only stabilised his government but has also spread his influence to those regions in the country which were once out of the reach of government. Prior to Russian air campaign, Bashar Al Assad was having control over less than 20% of the country but Russian firepower proved to be vital in transforming Assad’s fortune and he is now enjoying control over more 40% of the country.

This war is not only between Saudi Arab and Iran or between USA and Russian federation but there are multiple factors involved in the war. On one side Kurds are striving for their freedom and struggling to carve out a state of their own in the region comprising of the Iranian, Iraqi, Syrian and Turkish Kurdish-majority regions which have brought severe criticism from these states and especially Turkey who has also started an air campaign against PKK and its Syrian affiliate.

On the other hand ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and Jubhat Al Nusra (an Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria) are acting on their roadmap. Self-styled ISIS is campaigning for worldwide caliphate of its own whereas Jubhat Al Nusra under the leadership of Abu Mohammad Al-Julani is calling the shots for its own emirate in Syria.

Baathist regime has somewhat stabilised in a year or so but still, people are suffering and millions of refugees have left the country for Turkey and Europe who are living there in dire conditions.  So it's time for all the world powers to come to the table and resolve this issue because it is proving to be catastrophic for the human life but the talks should and would start from Syrians themselves if they had to reach an agreement.