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The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 with protests against Assad's oppressive regime, escalated into a full-blown insurgency and civil conflict. Various external powers—such as Iran, Russia, the United States, Turkey, and Israel—have each intervened at different points, driven by their strategic interests. The rise of the Islamic State in eastern Syria further complicated the already desperate situation, prompting a significant increase in foreign involvement.
After years of intense fighting, periods of ceasefires, and a shifting front line, Assad’s forces managed to regain control over significant territories from 2016 onwards, aided substantially by Iranian militias and Russian military support. However, this precarious stability began to unravel in late 2024.