The world’s most destroyed country – Syria

The world’s most destroyed country… Syria is famous for many things, such as its rich history, ancient sites, and cultural heritage. It has many historical sites like Palmyra, the Ancient City of Aleppo, the Crac des Chevaliers, and much more. However, the current situation in Syria is not ideal, so calling it the world’s most destroyed country wouldn’t be wrong. Syria has been in this state since 2011, which is why it has turned into a battleground or syria civil war.

How did Syria’s civil war begin?

For many years, there has been conflict between communities in Syria, and many Syrians didn’t like their current president. They did not like his government because the majority population is Sunni Muslims, and a very small minority, around 16-17% are Shia Muslims. The current president, Bashar al-Assad, belongs to the Shia Muslim community, which fueled the community conflict. As a result, Bashar al-Assad faced opposition from the Sunni community, as they saw his favoritism towards the Shia Muslims.

As the years passed, between 2007 and 2010, several neighboring countries of Syria, such as Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Jordan which were under dictatorships, were going through the “Arab Spring.” This meant that people in these countries were protesting against their governments for their rights and elections. As news of these protests spread, Bashar al-Assad realized that if things kept escalating Syria might face similar situation soon. So, he increased security in Syria and instructed the military to take strict actions if they saw any signs of protest.

However, you might be surprised to know that protests also started in Syria, but how? This is the most important part and it started not from the media or any community but from a simple statement by a child. The story begins on February 26, 2011, when a child named Mouawiya wrote on the wall of his school, “Next, it’s your turn Doctor.” Bashar al-Assad was referred to as “Doctor” by the people because he had studied in London.

As soon as the army got wind of this writing on the wall, they immediately began searching for the child. Soon after, they captured 14 children, including Mouawiya, and the army and police subjected them to severe physical torture. The parents of these children were strongly opposed to this.

When the parents asked the police to release their children, the police responded with a statement: “Forget those children, go home and make some more. If you can’t manage, send us your women and we will make more for you.” This statement made the parents extremely angry, and they started a peaceful protest. However, the government had no idea that these small protests would eventually grow. By March 2011, protests against the government in support of these children started in many major cities of Syria. From that day on, these protests grew so large that the situation completely got out of the government’s control.

The situation had now escalated to the point where until then the fighting was between the public and the army. But now, some army officers also joined the public in protests, and those officers formed their own army. During this time, ISIS saw an opportunity and began supporting the new army in the protests. Countries that wanted to get involved also joined in and started pursuing their own interests. Syria eventually became a battleground, and thus a civil war began.

This was some of the history of Syria’s civil war.

Syria Now

The situation in Syria now is such that there are no decent homes for people to live in, and there is no employment left. Many people have left their cities and the country. However, the new president of Syria is Ahmed al-Sharaa who took charge on January 29, 2025.

More than 12 million people are displaced within Syria, have left their homes and are now living in refugee camps. These people are struggling for basic necessities like water, food, and healthcare.

The situation in Syria is still like that of a “war-torn” country, where peace and stability have not fully returned. Economic, social, and political challenges are very deep. Many people, due to the war have not been able to resume their old lives and face new challenges every day.

Syria still needs more time to rebuild its economic and social structures and to remove World’s most destroyed country tag and improve the lives of its people.

The most aid in Syria’s redevelopment is coming from countries like Russia, Iran, and Turkey. However, when things will improve, and when the war will end it is uncertain.

Common FAQ’s about Syria Civil War

1. What is the Syrian Civil War?
The Syrian Civil War is an ongoing multi-sided conflict that began in 2011 between the Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, and various opposition groups. It also involves foreign powers, militias, and extremist organizations.

2. Why did the Syrian Civil War start?
The war started in March 2011, initially as peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s government. These protests were inspired by the “Arab Spring” uprisings in nearby countries.

3. Who is fighting in the Syrian Civil War?
The Syrian government, Rebel groups , Kurdish forces, ISIS , Foreign powers

4. What are the key factors behind the Syrian Civil War?
Political repression, Religious and ethnic divides, External influences, Economic struggles

5. How has the war affected the Syrian population?
Over 500,000 people have died, and millions have been injured. Over 12 million people have been displaced, with many fleeing to other countries as refugees. Syria’s infrastructure has been severely damaged, including hospitals, schools, and homes.

6. What is the current situation in Syria?
While the Syrian government has regained control of most of the country and condition slightly getting better.

7. Who is supporting the Syrian government?
The Syrian government is mainly supported by Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. These countries provide military support, weapons, and financial aid.

8. Who is supporting the opposition?
The opposition groups have received varying levels of support from countries like the United States, Turkey, and Gulf states for some reasons

9. What role has ISIS played in the conflict?
ISIS (Islamic State) took advantage of the chaos in Syria and captured large areas of land, including Raqqa and Mosul. Though ISIS has been largely defeated, it still poses a threat in some areas. The U.S. and other countries have been involved in fighting ISIS in Syria.

10. What is the humanitarian impact of the war?
The war has led to a lack of medical supplies, and destruction of vital infrastructure. Millions of Syrians live in poverty, and basic needs such as food, water, healthcare, and education are scarce.

11. How has the international community responded to the war?
The United Nations has called for peace talks, but efforts to resolve the conflict have largely been unsuccessful. Many countries have provided humanitarian aid, but there has been no unified approach to end the war.

12. Is there any hope for peace in Syria?
While there have been peace agreements and peace talks, the situation remains highly complex, with multiple factions involved. Some areas are slowly rebuilding, but lasting peace will require political compromise, reconciliation, and significant international cooperation.

13. How has the war affected Syria’s economy?
The war has devastated Syria’s economy. The destruction of infrastructure, loss of workforce, and economic sanctions have resulted in massive inflation, unemployment, and poverty. The country’s GDP has dropped, and reconstruction efforts will take years.

15. Who is the current president of Syria?
Ahmed al-Sharaa who took charge on January 29, 2025.