The Syrian conflict began as a civil war between the Syrian government led by President Assad and rebel groups seeking to overthrow the government. Both sides receive military support from foreign allies - Russia and Iran back Assad, while the US and UK support the rebels. The war has killed many civilians and humanitarian crisis has ensued. Peace talks have failed and bombings by all sides have exacerbated the conflict. The rise of ISIS has added further complexity by launching attacks in Syria and abroad. The war is now a stalemate with neither side able to gain significant new territory.

1. THE CONFLICT EXPLAINED

2. MAP

3. 2The Syrian Conflict
Explained
The Syrian
government and the
rebels both get
military support from
foreign governments
to help them fight
the war. The Syrian
government gets
support from Russia
and Iran, whereas
countries like
America and Britain
send weapons and
money to the rebels
to help them
overthrow the
government.
ART production / www.shutterstock.com

4. 3 The Syrian Conflict
Explained
The forces
fighting on
the side of
President
Assad
(the leader
of the Syrian
government)
have killed
more civilians
than any other
side in the war.
Giannis Papanikos / www.shutterstock.com

5. 4The Syrian Conflict
Explained
In September 2015
Russia strengthened
its support for the
Syrian government.
It sent soldiers into
Syria and used its
warplanes to bomb
rebel positions. But
these bombs have
also destroyed
hospitals, schools,
markets and people’s
homes.
Orlok / www.shutterstock.com

6. 5 The Syrian Conflict
Explained
Peace talks
between the
rebels and the
government
have failed to
end the war.
ART production / www.shutterstock.com

7. 6The Syrian Conflict
Explained
Many people are
angry with America
and Britain. They
accuse them of
failing to stop the
Russians and the
Syrian government
from killing
civilians.
Sadik Gulec / www.shutterstock.com

8. 7 The Syrian Conflict
Explained
Some believe
America and
Britain should now
start bombing
the Syrian
government’s
army in order to
stop the killing.
Others believe this
will only make the
war worse.
Orlok / www.shutterstock.com

9. 8The Syrian Conflict
Explained
The Islamic State
took advantage of
the chaos in Syria.
They seized
control of large
parts of Syria and
began to launch
terrorist attacks in
the Middle East
and in Western
countries such
as France.
Prometheus72 / www.shutterstock.com

10. 9 The Syrian Conflict
Explained
In response
to these terrorist
attacks, America,
Britain and
other European
countries began
to bomb the
Islamic State in
Syria and Iraq.
Orlok / www.shutterstock.com

11. 10The Syrian Conflict
Explained
The war between the
Syrian government
and the rebels is
now a stalemate:
neither side has
seized new territory
for months, though
the government
forces have made
big gains in Aleppo.