BY Alexsys T, Alicia R, & Tyrell R Syrian Genocide BY Alexsys T, Alicia R, & Tyrell R

Location Syria is located in the middle east area of the world along side with the Mediterranean sea. It is bordered by Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Israel.

Dates The conflict started around the spring of 2011. In addition, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria, or ISIS)—which has been battling both the Syrian and Iraqi regimes as well as some of the Syrian opposition forces since the spring of 2013. (http://www.ushmm.org/confront- genocide/cases/Syria) There has been no end to the conflict since then, and the struggle for the Syrian citizens continues.

Cause Syrian president al-Assad began cracking down of peaceful protesters which eventually lead to civilians violently protesting against massacres and mass atrocities against pro-democracy. To take action against them, a civil war started in Syria. “Protests turned violent as former Syrian troops defected and formed the “Free Syrian Army,” which the Syrian government continues to call a “terrorist” organization to justify its all out war against the rebels and Sunni Muslim civilians.” (http://www.genocidewatch.org/syria.html)

Conflict “With the use of tanks, attack helicopters, and artillery against protesters and the torture and execution of children, protests spread and opposition groups took up arms. The attacks and counter-attacks escalated into a full-fledged civil war between the Assad regime with allied militias and an array of opposition groups.” (http://endgenocide.org/conflict-areas/syria- backgrounder/) Eventually the civil war took a horrible turn when the regime started to use chemical weapons to kill off the protesters. Over 1,400 people were killed by the use of the chemical weapon. The use of chemical weapons in Syria continue to be reported by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPWC), but without clarity on what parties are responsible.

Sides involved The sides in the genocide include, the Syrian civilians and former Syrian troops, and the Syrian government lead by al-Assad.

Countries Involved Iran aided arms to the al-Assad and their government.

People affected A majority of citizens were affected, with the death count rising, losing there homes, and having no where to go.

The Aftermath The death toll has reached over 240,000 and almost half the country’s people — 12 million men, women and children — have been forced to flee their homes. The majority of civilians have been killed at the hands of the Assad regime, which has targeted schools and medical centers with crude barrel bombs. In September 2015, more than 4 million Syrians were now refugees. http://endgenocide.org/conflict-areas/syria-backgrounder/

Take Action People like you are the strength of the anti-genocide movement. From every state and every walk of life, activists are calling on our political leaders to end genocide once and for all. Whether you have 5 minutes or longer, there’s a way for you to get involved and make a difference today: By following the link it leads you to a site were you can make a difference by pledging and donating. http://endgenocide.org/take-action/get-involved/

Pledge 1. I pledge to do my part to end genocide: the intentional destruction, in whole or in part, of a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. 2. I commit myself never to be a passive bystander to genocide anywhere. 3. I promise to report any signs of the approach of a genocide to government officials, to the press, and to organizations that can take action to prevent it. 4. I will protest the acts of planners and perpetrators of genocide. I will not remain silent about their incitement of hate crimes, mass murders and other acts of genocide. 5. I will assist the victims of genocide and will help them escape from their killers. I will support the victims with humanitarian relief. 6. I will not stop my protests against a genocide until that genocide is stopped. 7. I will support lawful measures to prevent, suppress and punish the crime of genocide in accordance with the Genocide Convention.

Where are Syrians Now? Obama has gladly accepted 1,600 Syrians into the United States in the past four years and hopes to raise that number to 10,000.