Violence continues to rage in Syria despite diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Protests against President Bashar al-Assad's authoritarian regime began in March 2011 over the arrest of children in Daraa and soon spread across Syria. In response, Assad has launched brutal crackdowns and sieges of cities like Daraa and Homs. Over 9,000 people have been killed so far and thousands more have been arrested or fled to neighboring countries. The UN Security Council has been unable to agree on a resolution to end the violence.