Interactive: Timeline of Syria unrest
It has been almost a year now that Syria has been in turmoil. What initially started out as protests for reforms has escalated over time into an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s one-party rule, dragging the country into chaos and a period of uncertainty.
Parts of Syria today resemble a war zone. Few cities and towns have been left unscathed by the political upheaval. As the government responds with a brutal security crackdown, province after province has risen up in revolt against Assad, whose family has ruled the country with an iron-grip for decades.
Buoyed by support that he evidently enjoys within some sections of Syrians, Assad has dug in his heels. But there has been no let-up in the protests and the stand-off is increasingly taking on a more ominous tone.
Many opponents of Assad have taken up arms and some analysts say Syria is staring at the prospect of a civil war.
Thousands of lives have already been lost in the violence and the death toll is rising daily.
Al Jazeera maps the events of the past 10 months that shaped the current crisis: from the first protests in a nondescript town to military assaults on protesters in cities and towns that only hardened their resolve. The interactive also runs you through how Syria’s immediate neighbours and the global community are viewing the current situation
(via thearabspringrevolutions)
