Syria

Background reviewed 2026-10-23 · Background as of 2026-10

Background

Syria’s civil war began after the government’s crackdown on protests in 2011 and drew in many armed groups and foreign states. On 8 December 2024 the government of Bashar al-Assad fell after a rapid offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS); Ahmed al-Sharaa became interim president in January 2025.

The transition has been marked by outbreaks of violence, including killings in coastal areas in March 2025 and clashes in Sweida province in July 2025, as well as Israeli strikes and ground incursions in the south. In January 2026, after fighting between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the two sides signed a ceasefire and integration agreement for the north-east.

History

Syria was ruled by the Assad family from 1970, first by Hafez al-Assad and from 2000 by his son Bashar. Protests that began in March 2011 as part of the Arab uprisings were met with force and developed into a multi-sided civil war involving government forces, a wide range of rebel groups, Kurdish-led forces and the Islamic State group.

Foreign involvement shaped the war: Russia and Iran supported the government, Turkey backed some opposition groups and carried out operations in the north, and a US-led coalition fought the Islamic State. Millions of Syrians became refugees, mainly in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Europe. The front lines were largely frozen from 2020 until the rapid opposition offensive of late 2024.

Main parties

Syrian transitional government — Led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa; its army absorbed many former opposition factions.
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) — Kurdish-led force that controlled much of the north-east; agreed to integrate into state institutions.
Local armed groups — Including Druze factions in Sweida province.
Islamic State remnants — Continue sporadic attacks, mainly in the central desert and the east.
Foreign forces — Israel, Türkiye, the United States and Russia have military presences or carry out operations.

Key dates

2011-03 — Protests begin and are met with a violent crackdown, leading to civil war.
2014-06 — The Islamic State group declares a “caliphate” across parts of Syria and Iraq.
2015-09 — Russia begins air strikes in support of the government.
2024-12-08 — The Assad government falls; Bashar al-Assad leaves the country.
2025-01-29 — Ahmed al-Sharaa is named interim president.
2025-03-10 — The government and the SDF sign an agreement on integrating the north-east into state institutions.
2025-07 — Deadly clashes break out in Sweida province.
2026-01 — After fighting in the north and east, the government and the SDF sign a ceasefire and integration agreement.

Humanitarian situation

More than a decade of war displaced over half of the pre-war population. Since the end of 2024 many refugees and displaced people have begun returning, but damaged housing, unexploded ordnance and limited services make returns difficult. The UN continues to describe needs in Syria as among the largest in the world.

How to read reports about Syria

Names of armed groups and their affiliations have changed frequently since 2024; we use the names given in the linked reports.
Strikes attributed to foreign states are shown as events at the place of impact only.

Recent events

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