Have You Always Wondered?

War in Syria, explained

The Syrian Civil War. A conflict that takes too long to end. A conflict we can't ignore. Because of all of the atrocities being committed in Syria. Why did such a conflict begin? Well it's the obvious. Dictator Bashar Al-Assad. He is ruthless. When Assad forces shot at Syrian civilians. Those Syrian civilians shot back. Officially starting the civil war. But people fighting against their own government is the entire civil. Smaller demographic groups in Syria have started their own militias, to make an attempt to be independent or autonomous from Syria. Obviously the most recognizable armed militia in Syria trying to be autonomous/independent are the Kurds, which despite not trying to be fully involved in the civil war, still have clashes with pro Assad forces. Why is this? Syria is ethnically and religiously diverse. These groups could be what you call, divided. Why are these mainly divided/unified groups stuck in one country. Well blame empire. Specifically France and Great Britain. In 1919 the borders of Syria or close to it were drawn by the Allies. In 1922 the modern borders of Syria were officially drawn. Syria, along with neighboring Lebanon were under control of France. Until 1946, when Syria gained independence from the France. After that the local Syrians, which by the way is multiple demographic groups, now had control of the country instead of Europeans. So obviously without being unified by France, ethnic and religious groups had clashes in the country, but not any clashes that would provoke a war. Until 2011, when Tunisia's dictator was overthrown peacefully by the Tunisian people. Then came the Arab Spring, which would have waves of democracy through the Middle East and north Africa. Then the fighting began. The Syrian Civil War at the beginning was a proxy war of some sort mainly between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia would be supported by the other Arab gulf states. The conflict wouldn't be internationally recognized as a heavy and brutal war until Assad, broke the rules of war by using chemical gas weapons against his own people. This forced Obama to threaten Assad. By arming and training Syrian rebels. Then ISIS invaded Syria. Grabbing control of almost half of Syria and having ISIS' de-facto capital, Al-Raqqa. Afterwards Russia joined in, supporting Assad. Russia claims to be in Syria to bomb ISIS, but in reality bomb Assad opposition groups. This conflict got so bad that almost 5,000,000 Syrians fled as refuges, some through Turkey, some through the Mediterranean Sea. Where is these refugees' destination? Will anywhere that isn't hell, like in Syria. So places like other place in the Middle East or Africa, specifically the Horn of Africa, North Africa, and West Africa aren't places of interest refugees want to go to. So their is to main places North America and Europe. In Europe the refugees would specifically go to Germany or Sweden as they're trying to accept as much refugees as possible, why? Because those two countries aren't exactly what you call racist, or xenophobic, or basically a population that dislikes many Muslims coming into their country because of Islamic terrorism, which if you didn't know is pretty common in place like you and me would most likely go and that is the UK and France. But there is one main problem for refugees and that is Hungary. Despite a majority of refugees having no intentions to stay refuge in Hungary. Many refugees have to pass through Hungary to reach Germany or Sweden, because Hungary shares a border with Austria, who shares a border with Germany. Hungary has closed off their border with Romania to prevent refugees from crossing. Of course Hungary isn't the only way to get to Germany through land because Croatia is also in the European Union just like Hungary, the thing is the only way to get to Croatia without going to Hungary is through Serbia, and Serbia is not a member of the EU, so crossing to Croatia is going to be tricky. But land those 2 routes aren't always the options for refugees. A usual way that Syrians could cross into Europe is either through Turkey or through Greece. Turkey has closed off the border with Syria to prevent terrorism, but Turkey has brought in some refugees to Eastern Thrace which is European land that belongs to Turkey. And Turkey was able to make those refugees reach Bulgaria, which is in the land route that passes through Hungary to get to Germany. The other way to get Europe is through the Mediterranean, Syrians land on Crete, and island belonging to Greece, and Greece does help refugees reach Bulgaria. But there is an easier but much more longer route to Germany and Sweden. And that is Italy. Refugees can land on Italy and either get to Germany through France or Austria, the thing is Italy's border with both France and Austria are in mountainous terrain which is rough for even armies to pass through. Despite that Italy tries to accept as many refugees as possible without being bashed by the Italian people. Germany, Italy, and Sweden alone have accepted nearly 2,000,000 refugees. The other options in the world is Canada a.k.a the nicest place in the world. The obvious trick is that refugees have pass an entire ocean to get to Canada. The war in Syria continues to this day and doesn't seem  to be stopping. Weeks ago, Assad broken the rules of war again, this time it caused President Trump, who tried his best to avoid the conflict, to respond with military force. This conflict is going to continue until an international agreement or the surrender of Assad's forces or the surrender of Assad's opposers. The United Nations despite the organization of peace, have failed to end the conflict as the UN Security Council, basically the 5 bosses, are split in the conflict. Russia and China, who support Assad, and the U.S, UK, and France, who oppose Assad. Will this conflict end this year? Most likely not. Next year? Most likely not. We're just going to have to wait and see.