Whether you saw the news trending nationally on Twitter, broadcasted on your morning news station, or talked among your fellow classmates, Syria’s conflicts have definitely sparked interest to many. The question that frequently arises is how did it all start?
Similar to how Christianity has separate branches, so does Islam. Sunnis, Shias, and Alawites are all different forms of Islam. Sunnis make up the majority with over 75% of Muslims succeeding its path. To understand the issue in Syria today, it’s crucial to recognize these branches.
The Sunnis believe that the prophet Muhammad had four successors whom took his position to lead Islam. Shiites however, believe that only heir of the fourth caliph (Muhammad’s successors) was Ali.
Because Syria is dictatorship, speech and the press is limited for the citizens living there. Syria’s leader, Bashar-Al-Assad, the son of Hafez al-Assad, a trained doctor in London and an Alawite proceeded his father as president of Syria after his death in 2000.
Promising change for Syria, it seemed that the aristocratic government changed Bashar rather than Bashar changing the aristocratic government. Furious, Syrian’s took charge against the government. After an incident with the police beating a so called traitor, the rise of the Syrian people to defend each other inspired many.
So what exactly sparked the revolution?
Several students in a school wrote inspirational words such as ‘freedom’ in their textbooks and walls. Insulting names were also directed to Assad. The children were taken away by the Assad regime. When the parents went seeking for their children, the Assad regime denied their efforts. This initiated the revolution in Syria today as Syrians (particularly Sunnis) try to overthrow the dictating government.
Sunnis organized themselves into a militia known as the Free Syrian Army (FSA). The tension between Sunnis and Alawaites continues to grow as sunnis look for democracy. One individual states that “There is a place in Syria for all communities. Syria is very colorful and beautiful because of its diversity. But it’s unacceptable for one community to dominate another. The Alawite community is acceptable, but not its tyranny.”
Many nations stepped out to assist Syria. Initially, the United States was an instant no. During the third presidential debate between President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, both made clear that intervening in Syria was on neither’s to-do list. However, after the Syrian government allegedly used chemical weapons, President Obama said that this crossed the line and requires immediate action.
After the outrage of many Americans fearing another Iraq, the president later announced that no American boots will be set forth in Syria. The objective is to set a strike for Syria making it clear that chemical weapons will not be tolerated.
What do you think? Should America interfere or stay out of the conflict? Let us know down below!