Syria
What's happening now?
How it started?
The protests followed until the army responded by opening fire against the protests. Hundreds died and thousands more were arrested. Any chance of a peaceful resolution died when small groups of armed rebels started to appear.
Since then, government and rebels are involved in a war that claimed the lives of more than 16,000 Syrians.
History
In 1919, a short-lived dependent Kingdom of Syria was established under Emir Faisal, however his rule in Syria didn't go on for a while because of a clash between his Syrian Arab forces and French forces at the Battle of Maysalun. Afterward French troops took control of Syria and forces Faisal to leave the country.
While the French forces had the control of Syria, nationalists agitations against them started all over the country, and in April 1946, nationalist groups forces the French to evacuate the last of their troops.
After the independence of the country, Syria was involved in the Arab-Israeli War with the other local Arab states who were opposed to the establishment of the state of Israel.
Between 1946 and 1956, Syria had 20 different cabinets and drafted four separated constitutions.
Following a lot of politic and civil disagreement and instability, Al-Asad governed Syria during 30 years. After his death, his son Bashar al-Asad came into power.