Syria: Hell on earth
On March 15, the Syrian civil war entered its eighth year, with the multi-pronged conflict devastating the Middle East country and its population
465,000 DEAD
1,000,000+ INJURED
12,000,000+ DISPLACED
*Considered terrorists by Syria, Russia, Lebanon
HOW IT BEGAN
The 2011 Arab Spring toppled Tunisia's and Egypt's long-serving presidents. The flames of democracy soon spread to Syria
In March 2011, Syrians across the country spontaneously began a peaceful protest after 15 boys were tortured for writing graffiti in support of the Arab Spring. President Bashar al-assad's government responded with a brutal crackdown
In July 2011, defectors from the military announced the formation of the rebel group Free Syrian Army, which aimed to overthrow Assad, and Syria slid into a civil war
GLOBAL WARMING
Global warming is said to have been a factor: Syria was hit by a drought from 2007-10, causing around 1.5 million people to migrate to cities, exacerbating poverty and unrest
SECTARIAN CONFLICT
Since 1971, Sunni-majority Syria has been ruled by the Assad family, which belongs to the Alawi sect. The March 2011 protests began as non-sectarian, but the armed conflict soon became partisan in nature
RISE OF ISLAMIC STATE
After overrunning Iraq, IS made inroads into Syria in 2013 and soon was a major player, gaining international notoriety after it destroyed statues and monuments in the ancient city of Palmyra for being "heretic"
THE MAJOR PLAYERS
SYRIAN GOVERNMENT Backed by Russia, Iran, Iraq, Hezbollah
REBELS: Free Syrian Army, Army of Islam, Al-rahman Corps, Ahrar al-sham* Backed by Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, US
ISLAMIST MILITANTS: Islamic State,
Jabhat Fateh al-sham
KURDISH FIGHTERS: Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish People's Protection Units Backed by US
OTHER PLAYERS: Israel —targeting
Hezbollah