The uprising has its roots in protests that erupted in March 2011 in the southern city of Deraa after the arrest and torture of some teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. After security forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing several, more took to the streets.
The uprising has its roots in protests that erupted in March 2011 in the southern city of Deraa after the arrest and torture of some teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. After security forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing several, more took to the streets.
The unrest triggered nationwide protests demanding President Bashar al-Assad's resignation as shown in this video report from May 2011.
The unrest triggered nationwide protests demanding President Bashar al-Assad's resignation as shown in this video report from May 2011.
By July 2011, hundreds of thousands were taking to the streets in towns and cities across the country.
By July 2011, hundreds of thousands were taking to the streets in towns and cities across the country.
Bombardment
Bombardment
The government did not wait long to use military force to crush dissent, sending tanks to Deraa in late March 2011. The crackdown intensified as protests spread. The video shows Homs in February 2012 as rockets and mortars began hitting homes in the Baba Amr district, a focus of the unrest and rebel stronghold. After a month of bombardment, which left an estimated 700 people dead, the rebels retreated.
The government did not wait long to use military force to crush dissent, sending tanks to Deraa in late March 2011. The crackdown intensified as protests spread. The video shows Homs in February 2012 as rockets and mortars began hitting homes in the Baba Amr district, a focus of the unrest and rebel stronghold. After a month of bombardment, which left an estimated 700 people dead, the rebels retreated.
When fighting reached the capital Damascus and second city Aleppo in August 2012, the military launched large-scale offensives to regain control of outlying districts from the rebels.
Fighting reached the capital Damascus and second city of Aleppo in 2012. Since then, several large-scale offensives by government forces have failed to halt the gradual rebel advance.
Refugees
Refugees
Refugees have been flooding into neighbouring countries for months. The United Nations refugee agency has registered more than 200,000 Syrians who have fled to Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey, and expects those figures to rise. Unofficial estimates put the numbers much higher.
Refugees have been flooding into neighbouring countries. More than 400,000 Syrians who have fled to Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey are registered with or receiving assistance from the UN.
A further one million are thought to have been internally displaced because of the fighting. UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos has warned 2.5 million people inside the country are in need of aid.
A further 2.5 million are thought to have been internally displaced because of the fighting. The UN believes up to 4 million people inside Syria will need humanitarian aid by early next year.
The video report shows the situation on the Jordanian border in August 2012.
The video report shows the situation on the Jordanian border in August 2012.
Bombings
Bombings
The government says scores of people have died in a series of bombings in Syria's main cities, many of them targeting security facilities. Officials have blamed "terrorists" linked to al-Qaeda. Opposition activists, however, maintain that the security forces planted the bombs to discredit both the rebels and the peaceful protesters. Analysts say this is not beyond the realms of possibility, but that Islamist militants are known to be operating in Syria. A shadowy group called the al-Nusra Front has said it was behind several attacks, including twin suicide bombings that reportedly killed 55 people in Damascus in May 2012.
The government says scores of people have died in a series of bombings in Syria's main cities, many of them targeting security facilities. Officials have blamed "terrorists" linked to al-Qaeda. Opposition activists, however, maintain that the security forces planted the bombs to discredit both the rebels and the peaceful protesters. Analysts say this is not beyond the realms of possibility, but that jihadist militants are operating in Syria and have claimed most of the blasts. A shadowy group called the al-Nusra Front said it was behind the twin suicide bombings that reportedly killed 55 people in Damascus in May 2012.
Massacres
Massacres
The UN has accused security forces and pro-government Shabiha militiamen of deliberately targeting civilians - violating international humanitarian law.
The UN has accused security forces and pro-government Shabiha militiamen of deliberately targeting civilians - violating international humanitarian law.
One incident which caused international outcry was the killing of 108 people, including 49 children, near Houla, in May 2012. Witnesses said the victims were shot in their homes after the village was shelled in response to an anti-government demonstration. The government blamed "terrorists", but a UN inquiry said loyalist forces were likely responsible. Independent verification of such reports is very difficult.
One incident which caused international outcry was the killing of 108 people, including 49 children, near Houla, in May 2012. Witnesses said the victims were shot in their homes after the village was shelled in response to an anti-government demonstration. The government blamed "terrorists", but a UN inquiry said loyalist forces were likely responsible. Independent verification of such reports is very difficult.
World reaction
World reaction
Western powers have demanded President Assad resign and sought UN Security Council action. However, Russia and China have vetoed resolutions. All states backed a peace plan negotiated by UN envoy Kofi Annan, which saw observers deployed in April 2012 to monitor a ceasefire. But when violence escalated, Mr Annan resigned and the observers withdrew.
Western powers have demanded President Assad resign and sought UN Security Council action. However, Russia and China have vetoed resolutions. All states backed a peace plan negotiated by UN envoy Kofi Annan, which saw observers deployed in April 2012 to monitor a ceasefire. But when violence escalated, Mr Annan resigned and the observers withdrew.
Lakhdar Brahimi succeeded him, but with major powers unable to agree on a way forward, Mr Assad showing no signs of leaving power and the opposition deeply divided, there appears to be no end in sight.
Lakhdar Brahimi succeeded him, but with major powers unable to agree on a way forward, Mr Assad showing no signs of leaving power and the opposition deeply divided, there appears to be no end in sight.
Notes: Figures from the UK-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights include civilians, rebel fighters and security forces personnel. Those from the Violations Documentation Center (which works with the Local Co-ordination Committees, an opposition activist network) and the opposition group Syrian Shuhada (Syrian Martyrs) include civilians and rebels' deaths, but not security forces personnel. Syrian Shuhada also counts unidentified bodies, the main reason its numbers are higher. Government figures include civilians, soldiers and police, but not rebels. Images: Getty, AP, AFP, Reuters
Notes: Figures from the UK-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights include civilians, rebel fighters and security forces personnel. Those from the Violations Documentation Center (which works with the Local Co-ordination Committees, an opposition activist network) and the opposition group Syrian Shuhada (Syrian Martyrs) include civilians and rebels' deaths, but not security forces personnel. Syrian Shuhada also counts unidentified bodies, the main reason its numbers are higher. Government figures include civilians, soldiers and police, but not rebels. Images: Getty, AP, AFP, Reuters
Produced by: Lucy Rodgers, James Longman, David Gritten, Salim Qurashi, Helene Sears, Marina Shchukina
Produced by: Lucy Rodgers, James Longman, David Gritten, Salim Qurashi, Helene Sears, Marina Shchukina
