Positions at a glance
Supporters
The conflict became heavily internationalized. Russia intervened militarily in September 2015 in support of Assad, alongside Iran and Iranian-backed forces including Lebanese Hezbollah. A US-led coalition began airstrikes against ISIS in 2014 and partnered with the SDF on the ground. Turkey launched several cross-border operations (Euphrates Shield in 2016, Olive Branch in 2018, Peace Spring in 2019) targeting Kurdish forces and ISIS. Israel has repeatedly struck Iranian and Hezbollah assets inside Syria.
Opponents
The Syrian Civil War began in March 2011, when protests in Daraa against the government of President Bashar al-Assad — part of the broader Arab Spring — escalated into armed conflict after security forces fired on demonstrators. By late 2011, defectors had formed the Free Syrian Army, and the uprising fragmented into a multi-sided war involving the Syrian Arab Armed Forces, a range of opposition factions, Kurdish-led forces (the YPG and later the Syrian Democratic Forces), and jihadist groups including Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State (ISIS), which declared its "caliphate" in 2014.
Research it like a delegate
Research on modeldiplomat.com
Ask a follow-up about Syrian Civil War
Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.
Start research on Syrian Civil WarExample
In September 2015, Russia launched airstrikes in Syria at the request of the Assad government, decisively shifting the military balance against opposition forces.
Keep learning