Syrian Arab Republic: Difference between revisions

Syrian Arab Republic; ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْعَرَبِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ
	Flag Coat of arms
	Motto: وَحْدَةٌ ، حُرِّيَّةٌ ، اِشْتِرَاكِيَّةٌ; "Unity, Freedom, Socialism"
Capital; and largest city	Damascus
Official languages	Arabic
Leaders
• President	Bashar al-Assad
• Prime Minister	Hussein Arnous
• Vice President	Farouk al-Sharaa
• Vice President	Najah al-Attar
• Speaker of the People's Council	Hammouda Sabbagh
Area
• Total	185,180 km²
Population
• 2023 estimate	22,933,531
Currency	Syrian pound

VisualWikitext

Latest revision as of 04:51, 22 February 2024

Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia located in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. A country of fertile plains, high mountains, and deserts, Syria is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups. Arabs are the largest ethnic group with Kurds being the largest minority, and Sunnis are the largest religious group with Shias and Christians being a minority.

Syria is a unitary republic consisting of 14 governorates (subdivisions) and is the only country that politically espouses Ba'athism, with Iraq's pre-intervention government having also been guided by the Ba'ath socialist ideology. It is a member of one international organization other than the United Nations, the anti-imperialist Non-Aligned Movement.

The modern Syrian state was established in the mid-20th century after centuries of Ottoman rule, and after a brief period as a French mandate, the newly created state represented the largest Arab state to emerge from the formerly Ottoman-ruled Syrian provinces.

History[edit | edit source]

In 1949, the United States overthrew Syrian leader Shukri al-Quwatli, whose parliament had refused to construct an oil pipeline through the country, and installed a military junta that approved the pipeline in less than one month.

Israeli invasion of Golan Heights[edit | edit source]

The Syrian territory of the Golan Heights was invaded by Israel in 1967 and annexed in 1981. It is currently occupied by around 25,000 Israeli settlers.^[1]

Syrian Civil War[edit | edit source]

Starting in 2011 as part of the Western-supported Arab Spring, Syria descended into civil war as foreign powers began supporting proxy forces to overthrow the Assad government.

Two years into the war, on 21, August, 2013, a chemical weapon (Sarin gas) was alleged to have been utilized by the Syrian government against rebels at Ghouta, Syria. The allegations were first made by Prince Bandar bin Sultan the then head of Saudi Arabian Intelligence Service^[2] and earlier involved with both the Contras and the Mujahideen^[3], but interviews with people at Ghouta revealed that Saudi Intelligence and Prince Bandar had been responsible for providing the chemical weapons to the rebels. With the rebels allegedly not even aware that they were in possession of chemical weapons and their improper handling leading to the detonation of the Sarin gas.^[4]

Saudi Arabia and Prince Bandar trained Reactionary militias and insurgents in Syria's neighbor Jordan but their initiative was swiftly supplemented by the U.S who began to make payments to the anti-Assad forces^[3]. In addition to Saudi Arabia; Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey were also responsible for training insurgents and terrorists, with there being a competition between them to establish leadership over the anti-government forces.^[3]

The U.S. has supported Islamic jihadists in their Operation Timber Sycamore, not unlike Operation Cyclone in Afghanistan.^[5] They have also killed at least 500 Syrian civilians in airstrikes throughout the war, including 30 when a school was bombed, and used chemical weapons such as white phosphorus As of 2021, the military situation is favorable to the Syrian government, which has retaken most territory thanks to the legal assistance of the Russian Air Force as well as assistance from Syria's ally, the Islamic Republic of Iran.^[6]

On 3 February 2022, U.S. forces killed 4 women and 6 children during a raid in Idlib province.^[7]

The U.S. continues to occupy the resource-rich area of Northern Syria, to control its hydrocarbons and agricultural output^[8]^[9]^[10] and has firebombed hundreds of acres of wheat fields. The goal of the US is to prevent the reconstruction of Syria.^[11] U.S. and the U.N. prop up opposition forces via the Bab al-Hawa crossing – the only U.N. approved crossing for transporting international aid into Syria.^[12] The aid have been described by The New York Times as “…a lifeline for opposition-held areas in the north.”^[12]

The U.S. imperialists are using economic warfare to cripple the Syrian economy.^[13] These sanctions might be soon circumvented with Syria's admission into China's Belt and Road Initiative.^[14]^[15]

Foreign relations[edit | edit source]

On 29 June 2022, Syria became the second country in the world to recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.^[16]

On 7 May 2023, at the meeting of the Council of the Arab League in Cairo, it was agreed to reinstate Syria's membership,^[17] after being suspended on 16 November 2011 in the aftermath of the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War.^[18]

Sanctions[edit | edit source]

See also: Economic sanctions#Syria

Syria currently suffers from heavy sanctions enforced by the United States and European Union.^[19]^[20]

During the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, Syria was unable to receive direct aid due to sanctions imposed upon the country.^[21] With the only U.N. approved entry into Syria from Turkey – generally used to provide aid to government opposition groups – being destroyed, the three other unapproved crossings remained empty of humanitarian convoys.^[12] Despite these adversities Iran was able to supply Syria with 70 tons of food, tents and medicine.^[12]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ "Israel unveils plan to double settlers in occupied Golan" (2021-12-26). France 24. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
↑ “It was Prince Bandar’s intelligence agency that first alerted Western allies to the alleged use of sarin gas by the Syrian regime in February.”

David Usborne (2013-8-27). "Syria, the Saudi connection: The Prince with close ties to Washington at the heart of the push for war" The Independent. Archived from the original on 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 “Some officials said they fear it carries the same risk of spinning out of control as an earlier project in which Prince Bandar was involved—the 1980s CIA program of secretly financing the Contras in Nicaragua against a leftist government.

A generation ago, Prince Bandar, in a role foreshadowing his current one on behalf of Syrian opposition, helped the CIA arm the Afghan rebels who were resisting occupation by Soviet troops.

...

As part of that, intelligence agents from Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Jordan and other allied states are working at a secret joint operations center in Jordan to train and arm handpicked Syrian rebels, according to current and former U.S. and Middle Eastern officials.

The CIA has put unspecified limits on its arming efforts. But the agency has been helping train rebels to better fight. Earlier this year it also began making salary payments to members of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, U.S. and Arab officials said. There are now more CIA personnel at the Jordan base than Saudi personnel, according to Arab diplomats.
...

The Saudis stepped up rebel support in early 2012, at first by joining forces with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to fund what was then the main opposition group, the Syrian National Council. Saudi Arabia quickly soured on the effort because the Council wasn't buying arms with the money, diplomats said, and began to push for directly arming the insurgents. It also began to work with Qatar through a command center in Turkey to buy and distribute arms.

But tensions grew over which rebels to supply. Both Saudi and American officials worried Qatar and Turkey were directing weapons to the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. Qatari and Turkish officials denied they favored certain rebel groups.”

Adam Entous, Nour Malas and and Margaret Coker (2013-08-25). "A Veteran Saudi Power Player Works To Build Support to Topple Assad" The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
↑ ““They didn’t tell us what these arms were or how to use them,” complained a female fighter named ‘K.’ “We didn’t know they were chemical weapons. We never imagined they were chemical weapons.”

“When Saudi Prince Bandar gives such weapons to people, he must give them to those who know how to handle and use them,” she warned. She, like other Syrians, do not want to use their full names for fear of retribution.

“We were very curious about these arms. And unfortunately, some of the fighters handled the weapons improperly and set off the explosions,” ‘J’ said.”

Dale Gavlak and Yahya Ababneh (2013-08-29). "EXCLUSIVE: Syrians In Ghouta Claim Saudi-Supplied Rebels Behind Chemical Attack" Mint Press News. Archived from the original on 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
↑ Mark Mazzetti, Matt Apuzzo (2016-01-26). "U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels" The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08.
↑ "Russian air force takes on rebels in Syria" (2020-11-21). The Levant. Archived from the original on 2021-10-18.
↑ Martin Chulov, Julian Borger (2022-02-04). "Islamic State leader killed during raid by US special forces in Syria" The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
↑ Jimmy Dore. "Biden Caught Lying About Occupying Syria" Rokfin.
↑ Aaron Maté (September 7th 2021). "To keep troops in Syria, US leaders are lying like in Afghanistan"
↑ "US must stop looting Syria's natural resources, fight terrorists instead, says Lavrov". PressTV.
↑ "Long reach of U.S. sanctions hits Syria reconstruction". Reuters.
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 ^12.2 ^12.3 Natasha Frost, Raja Abdulrahim (2023-02-07). "The only border crossing for U.N. aid from Turkey to Syria is hobbled." The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
↑ Mimi al-Laham. PressTV.
↑ "Syria joins China’s Belt and Road Initiative" (2022-01-12). Al-Monitor.
↑ "Syria, China sign MoU in framework of Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative" (2022-01-12).
↑ "Syria recognizes independence, sovereignty of Donetsk, Luhansk -state news agency" (2022-06-29). Reuters. Archived from the original on 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
↑ "Arab foreign ministers agree to readmit Syria to the Arab League" (2023-5-7). Alarabiya.
↑ "Arab League decides to suspend Syria" (2011-11-13). Aljazeera.
↑ "Syria Sanctions". U.S. Department of the Treasury. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
↑ EUR-Lex. Archived from the original on 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
↑ “The New York Times makes it plain: “Syria is not able to receive direct aid from many countries because of sanctions.”

So — unless you’re a monstrous sadist — why not lift the sanctions?”

Aaron Maté (2023-02-08). Twitter. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-09.

[1] "Israel unveils plan to double settlers in occupied Golan" (2021-12-26). France 24. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2022-05-10.

[2] “It was Prince Bandar’s intelligence agency that first alerted Western allies to the alleged use of sarin gas by the Syrian regime in February.”

David Usborne (2013-8-27). "Syria, the Saudi connection: The Prince with close ties to Washington at the heart of the push for war" The Independent. Archived from the original on 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2024-02-21.

[:1-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 “Some officials said they fear it carries the same risk of spinning out of control as an earlier project in which Prince Bandar was involved—the 1980s CIA program of secretly financing the Contras in Nicaragua against a leftist government.

A generation ago, Prince Bandar, in a role foreshadowing his current one on behalf of Syrian opposition, helped the CIA arm the Afghan rebels who were resisting occupation by Soviet troops.

...

As part of that, intelligence agents from Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Jordan and other allied states are working at a secret joint operations center in Jordan to train and arm handpicked Syrian rebels, according to current and former U.S. and Middle Eastern officials.

The CIA has put unspecified limits on its arming efforts. But the agency has been helping train rebels to better fight. Earlier this year it also began making salary payments to members of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, U.S. and Arab officials said. There are now more CIA personnel at the Jordan base than Saudi personnel, according to Arab diplomats.
...

The Saudis stepped up rebel support in early 2012, at first by joining forces with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to fund what was then the main opposition group, the Syrian National Council. Saudi Arabia quickly soured on the effort because the Council wasn't buying arms with the money, diplomats said, and began to push for directly arming the insurgents. It also began to work with Qatar through a command center in Turkey to buy and distribute arms.

But tensions grew over which rebels to supply. Both Saudi and American officials worried Qatar and Turkey were directing weapons to the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. Qatari and Turkish officials denied they favored certain rebel groups.”

Adam Entous, Nour Malas and and Margaret Coker (2013-08-25). "A Veteran Saudi Power Player Works To Build Support to Topple Assad" The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2024-02-21.

[4] ““They didn’t tell us what these arms were or how to use them,” complained a female fighter named ‘K.’ “We didn’t know they were chemical weapons. We never imagined they were chemical weapons.”

“When Saudi Prince Bandar gives such weapons to people, he must give them to those who know how to handle and use them,” she warned. She, like other Syrians, do not want to use their full names for fear of retribution.

“We were very curious about these arms. And unfortunately, some of the fighters handled the weapons improperly and set off the explosions,” ‘J’ said.”

Dale Gavlak and Yahya Ababneh (2013-08-29). "EXCLUSIVE: Syrians In Ghouta Claim Saudi-Supplied Rebels Behind Chemical Attack" Mint Press News. Archived from the original on 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-21.

[5] Mark Mazzetti, Matt Apuzzo (2016-01-26). "U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels" The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08.

[6] "Russian air force takes on rebels in Syria" (2020-11-21). The Levant. Archived from the original on 2021-10-18.

[7] Martin Chulov, Julian Borger (2022-02-04). "Islamic State leader killed during raid by US special forces in Syria" The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-03-11.

[8] Jimmy Dore. "Biden Caught Lying About Occupying Syria" Rokfin.

[9] Aaron Maté (September 7th 2021). "To keep troops in Syria, US leaders are lying like in Afghanistan"

[10] "US must stop looting Syria's natural resources, fight terrorists instead, says Lavrov". PressTV.

[11] "Long reach of U.S. sanctions hits Syria reconstruction". Reuters.

[:0-12] 12.0 ^12.1 ^12.2 ^12.3 Natasha Frost, Raja Abdulrahim (2023-02-07). "The only border crossing for U.N. aid from Turkey to Syria is hobbled." The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2023-02-09.

[13] Mimi al-Laham. PressTV.

[14] "Syria joins China’s Belt and Road Initiative" (2022-01-12). Al-Monitor.

[15] "Syria, China sign MoU in framework of Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative" (2022-01-12).

[16] "Syria recognizes independence, sovereignty of Donetsk, Luhansk -state news agency" (2022-06-29). Reuters. Archived from the original on 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2022-06-30.

[17] "Arab foreign ministers agree to readmit Syria to the Arab League" (2023-5-7). Alarabiya.

[18] "Arab League decides to suspend Syria" (2011-11-13). Aljazeera.

[19] "Syria Sanctions". U.S. Department of the Treasury. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-13.

[20] EUR-Lex. Archived from the original on 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-02-13.

[21] “The New York Times makes it plain: “Syria is not able to receive direct aid from many countries because of sanctions.”

So — unless you’re a monstrous sadist — why not lift the sanctions?”

Aaron Maté (2023-02-08). Twitter. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-09.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox country|conventional_long_name=Syrian Arabic Republic|leader_name4=Najah al-Attar|currency=Syrian pound|population_estimate_year=2020|population_estimate=17,500,657|official_languages=Arabic|leader_name5=Hammouda Sabbagh|leader_title5=Speaker of the People's Council|leader_title4=Vice President|leader_name3=Farouk al-Sharaa|native_name=ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْعَرَبِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ|leader_title3=Vice President|leader_name2=Hussein Arnous|leader_title2=Prime Minister|leader_name1=Bashar al-Assad|leader_title1=President|largest_city=Damascus|capital=Damascus|name=Syria|area_km2=185,180}}
+{{Infobox country|name=Syrian Arab Republic|leader_name4=Najah al-Attar|currency=Syrian pound|population_estimate_year=2023|population_estimate=22,933,531|motto=وَحْدَةٌ ، حُرِّيَّةٌ ، اِشْتِرَاكِيَّةٌ|englishmotto="Unity, Freedom, Socialism"|image_map=Syria map.svg|map_width=260|official_languages=Arabic|leader_name5=Hammouda Sabbagh|leader_title5=Speaker of the People's Council|leader_title4=Vice President|leader_name3=Farouk al-Sharaa|native_name=ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْعَرَبِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ|image_flag=Flag of Syria.svg|leader_title3=Vice President|leader_name2=Hussein Arnous|leader_title2=Prime Minister|leader_name1=[[Bashar al-Assad]]|leader_title1=President|largest_city=Damascus|image_coat=Syria COA.svg|capital=Damascus|area_km2=185,180}}
-'''Syria''', officially the '''Syrian Arab Republic''', is a country in Western Asia. A country of fertile plains, high mountains, and deserts, Syria is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups. Arabs are the largest ethnic group, and Sunnis are the largest religious group.
+'''Syria''', officially the '''Syrian Arab Republic''', is a country in [[Western Asia]] located in the Eastern Mediterranean and the [[Levant]]. A country of fertile plains, high mountains, and deserts, Syria is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups. [[Arabs]] are the largest ethnic group with [[Kurds]] being the largest minority, and [[Islam|Sunnis]] are the largest religious group with Shias and [[Christianity|Christians]] being a minority.
-Syria is a unitary republic consisting of 14 governorates and is the only country that politically espouses [[Ba'athism]], with Iraq's pre-intervention government having also been guided by the Ba'ath socialist ideology. It is a member of one international organization other than the [[United Nations]], the [[Anti-imperialism|anti-imperialist]] [[Non-Aligned Movement]].
+Syria is a unitary republic consisting of 14 governorates (subdivisions) and is the only country that politically espouses [[Ba'athism]], with [[Republic of Iraq|Iraq]]'s pre-[[Iraq War|intervention]] government having also been guided by the Ba'ath [[Socialism|socialist]] ideology. It is a member of one international organization other than the [[United Nations]], the [[Anti-imperialism|anti-imperialist]] [[Non-Aligned Movement]].
 The modern Syrian state was established in the mid-20th century after centuries of [[Ottoman Syria|Ottoman]] rule, and after a brief period as a [[French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon|French mandate]], the newly created state represented the largest Arab state to emerge from the formerly [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]-ruled [[Ottoman Syria|Syrian provinces]].
 == History ==
-In 1949, the [[United States of America|United States]] overthrew Syrian leader Shukri al-Quwatli, whose parliament had refused to construct an oil pipeline through the country, and installed a military junta that approved the pipeline in less than one month.
+In 1949, the [[United States of America|United States]] overthrew Syrian leader [[Shukri al-Quwatli]], whose parliament had refused to construct an oil pipeline through the country, and installed a military junta that approved the pipeline in less than one month.
-== Syrian Civil War ==
+=== Israeli invasion of Golan Heights ===
-Following the Western-supported Arab Spring, Syria descended into chaos as foreign powers began supporting proxy forces to overthrow the Assad government. The US has supported islamic jihadists in their Operation Timber Sycamore, not unlike [[Operation Cyclone]] in Afghanistan.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/world/middleeast/us-relies-heavily-on-saudi-money-to-support-syrian-rebels.html?_r=0</ref> They have also killed at least 500 Syrian civilians in airstrikes throughout the war, including 30 when a school was bombed, and used chemical weapons such as white phosphorus As of 2021, the military situation is favorable to the Syrian government, which has retaken most territory thanks to the legal assistance of the Russian Air Force as well as assistance from Syria's ally, the Islamic Republic of Iran.<ref>https://the-levant.com/russian-air-force-takes-rebels-syria/</ref>
+The Syrian territory of the [[Golan Heights]] was invaded by [[State of Israel|Israel]] in 1967 and annexed in 1981. It is currently occupied by around 25,000 Israeli settlers.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=France 24|title=Israel unveils plan to double settlers in occupied Golan|date=2021-12-26|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211226-israel-unveils-plan-to-double-settlers-in-occupied-golan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226132414/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211226-israel-unveils-plan-to-double-settlers-in-occupied-golan|archive-date=2021-12-26|retrieved=2022-05-10}}</ref>
-The US continues to occupy the resource-rich area of Northern Syria, to control its hydrocarbons and agricultural output<ref>[https://www.rokfin.com/post/53265/Biden-Caught-Lying-About-Occupying-Syria Biden Caught Lying About Occupying Syria] by Jimmy Dore on Rokfin with guest from [[The Grayzone]], Aaron Mate</ref><ref>[https://mate.substack.com/p/to-keep-troops-in-syria-us-leaders To keep troops in Syria, US leaders are lying like in Afghanistan] by Aaron Maté on Substack - September 7th 2021 </ref><ref>[https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2021/07/03/661403/US-must-stop-looting-Syria-natural-resources-fight-terrorists-instead-Lavrov US must stop looting Syria's natural resources, fight terrorists instead, says Lavrov] by [[PressTV]]</ref> and has firebombed hundreds of acres of wheat fields. The goal of the US is to prevent the reconstruction of Syria.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-sanctions-idUSKCN1LI06Z Long reach of U.S. sanctions hits Syria reconstruction] by Reuters</ref>
+===Syrian Civil War===
+Starting in 2011 as part of the Western-supported [[Arab Spring]], Syria descended into civil war as foreign powers began supporting proxy forces to overthrow the [[Bashar al-Assad|Assad]] government.
-The US imperialists are using economic warfare to cripple the Syrian economy.<ref>Mimi al-Laham on [[PressTV]] - [https://twitter.com/PressTV/status/1481371739204591616?s=20 Twitter Video]</ref>
+Two years into the war, on 21, August, 2013, a chemical weapon (Sarin gas) was alleged to have been utilized by the Syrian government against rebels at Ghouta, Syria. The allegations were first made by Prince Bandar bin Sultan the then head of [[Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabian]] Intelligence Service<ref>{{Web citation|author=David Usborne|newspaper=The Independent|title=Syria, the Saudi connection: The Prince with close ties to Washington at the heart of the push for war|date=2013-8-27|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-the-saudi-connection-the-prince-with-close-ties-to-washington-at-the-heart-of-the-push-for-war-8785049.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902085302/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-the-saudi-connection-the-prince-with-close-ties-to-washington-at-the-heart-of-the-push-for-war-8785049.html|archive-date=2013-08-29|retrieved=2024-02-21|quote=It was Prince Bandar’s intelligence agency that first alerted Western allies to the alleged use of sarin gas by the Syrian regime in February.}}</ref> and earlier involved with both the [[Contras]] and the [[Mujahideen]]<ref name=":1">{{Web citation|author=Adam Entous, Nour Malas and  and Margaret Coker|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|title=A Veteran Saudi Power Player Works To Build Support to Topple Assad|date=2013-08-25|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323423804579024452583045962|retrieved=2024-02-21|quote=Some officials said they fear it carries the same risk of spinning out of control as an earlier project in which Prince Bandar was involved—the 1980s CIA program of secretly financing the Contras in Nicaragua against a leftist government.
-== References ==
+A generation ago, Prince Bandar, in a role foreshadowing his current one on behalf of Syrian opposition, helped the CIA arm the Afghan rebels who were resisting occupation by Soviet troops.
+...
+As part of that, intelligence agents from Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Jordan and other allied states are working at a secret joint operations center in Jordan to train and arm handpicked Syrian rebels, according to current and former U.S. and Middle Eastern officials.
+The CIA has put unspecified limits on its arming efforts. But the agency has been helping train rebels to better fight. Earlier this year it also began making salary payments to members of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, U.S. and Arab officials said. There are now more CIA personnel at the Jordan base than Saudi personnel, according to Arab diplomats.
+...
+The Saudis stepped up rebel support in early 2012, at first by joining forces with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to fund what was then the main opposition group, the Syrian National Council. Saudi Arabia quickly soured on the effort because the Council wasn't buying arms with the money, diplomats said, and began to push for directly arming the insurgents. It also began to work with Qatar through a command center in Turkey to buy and distribute arms.
+But tensions grew over which rebels to supply. Both Saudi and American officials worried Qatar and Turkey were directing weapons to the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. Qatari and Turkish officials denied they favored certain rebel groups.}}</ref>, but interviews with people at Ghouta revealed that Saudi Intelligence and Prince Bandar had been responsible for providing the chemical weapons to the rebels. With the rebels allegedly not even aware that they were in possession of chemical weapons and their improper handling leading to the detonation of the Sarin gas.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Dale Gavlak and Yahya Ababneh|newspaper=Mint Press News|title=EXCLUSIVE: Syrians In Ghouta Claim Saudi-Supplied Rebels Behind Chemical Attack|date=2013-08-29|url=https://www.mintpressnews.com/syria-ghouta-claim-saudi-supplied-rebels-chemical-attack/168135/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207212634/https://www.mintpressnews.com/syria-ghouta-claim-saudi-supplied-rebels-chemical-attack/168135/|archive-date=2020-02-07|retrieved=2024-02-21|quote=“They didn’t tell us what these arms were or how to use them,” complained a female fighter named ‘K.’ “We didn’t know they were chemical weapons. We never imagined they were chemical weapons.”
+“When Saudi Prince Bandar gives such weapons to people, he must give them to those who know how to handle and use them,” she warned. She, like other Syrians, do not want to use their full names for fear of retribution.
+“We were very curious about these arms. And unfortunately, some of the fighters handled the weapons improperly and set off the explosions,” ‘J’ said.}}</ref>
+Saudi Arabia and Prince Bandar trained Reactionary militias and insurgents in Syria's neighbor Jordan but their initiative was swiftly supplemented by the U.S who began to make payments to the anti-Assad forces<ref name=":1" />. In addition to Saudi Arabia; Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey were also responsible for training insurgents and terrorists, with there being a competition between them to establish leadership over the anti-government forces.<ref name=":1" />
+The [[United States of America|U.S.]] has supported Islamic jihadists in their [[Operation Timber Sycamore]], not unlike [[Operation Cyclone]] in [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan|Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Web citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/world/middleeast/us-relies-heavily-on-saudi-money-to-support-syrian-rebels.html |date=2016-01-26|title=U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208111529/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/24/world/middleeast/us-relies-heavily-on-saudi-money-to-support-syrian-rebels.html|archive-date=2023-02-08|author=Mark Mazzetti, Matt Apuzzo}}</ref> They have also killed at least 500 Syrian civilians in airstrikes throughout the war, including 30 when a school was bombed, and used chemical weapons such as white phosphorus As of 2021, the military situation is favorable to the Syrian government, which has retaken most territory thanks to the legal assistance of the [[Russian Federation|Russian]] Air Force as well as assistance from Syria's ally, the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]].<ref>{{Web citation |url=https://the-levant.com/russian-air-force-takes-rebels-syria/ |date=2020-11-21|title=Russian air force takes on rebels in Syria|newspaper=The Levant|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018064708/https://the-levant.com/russian-air-force-takes-rebels-syria/|archive-date=2021-10-18}}</ref>
+On 3 February 2022, U.S. forces killed 4 women and 6 children during a raid in Idlib province.<ref>{{Web citation |author=Martin Chulov, Julian Borger|date=2022-02-04|title=Islamic State leader killed during raid by US special forces in Syria|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/03/us-special-forces-kill-suspected-jihadists-in-north-west-syria-raid|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|retrieved=2022-03-11}}</ref>
+The U.S. continues to occupy the resource-rich area of Northern Syria, to control its hydrocarbons and agricultural output<ref>{{Web citation |url=https://www.rokfin.com/post/53265/Biden-Caught-Lying-About-Occupying-Syria |title=Biden Caught Lying About Occupying Syria |author=Jimmy Dore |newspaper=Rokfin }}</ref><ref>{{Web citation |url=https://mate.substack.com/p/to-keep-troops-in-syria-us-leaders |title=To keep troops in Syria, US leaders are lying like in Afghanistan |author=Aaron Maté |date=September 7th 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Web citation |url=https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2021/07/03/661403/US-must-stop-looting-Syria-natural-resources-fight-terrorists-instead-Lavrov |title=US must stop looting Syria's natural resources, fight terrorists instead, says Lavrov |newspaper=[[PressTV]] }}</ref> and has firebombed hundreds of acres of wheat fields. The goal of the US is to prevent the reconstruction of Syria.<ref>{{Web citation |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-sanctions-idUSKCN1LI06Z |title=Long reach of U.S. sanctions hits Syria reconstruction |newspaper=[[Reuters]] }}</ref> U.S. and the U.N. prop up opposition forces via the Bab al-Hawa crossing – the only U.N. approved crossing for transporting international aid into Syria.<ref name=":0">{{Web citation|author=Natasha Frost, Raja Abdulrahim|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=The only border crossing for U.N. aid from Turkey to Syria is hobbled.|date=2023-02-07|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/world/europe/turkey-syria-quake-un-aid.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209032139/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/world/europe/turkey-syria-quake-un-aid.html|archive-date=2023-02-09|retrieved=2023-02-09}}</ref> The aid have been described by [[The New York Times]] as “…a lifeline for opposition-held areas in the north.”<ref name=":0" />
+The U.S. imperialists are using economic warfare to cripple the Syrian economy.<ref>{{Web citation |author=Mimi al-Laham |newspaper=[[PressTV]] |url=https://twitter.com/PressTV/status/1481371739204591616 }}</ref> These [[Economic sanctions|sanctions]] might be soon circumvented with Syria's admission into [[People's Republic of China|China]]'s [[Belt and Road Initiative]].<ref>{{Web citation |date=2022-01-12 |title=Syria joins China’s Belt and Road Initiative|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/01/syria-joins-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative|newspaper=Al-Monitor}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation |date=2022-01-12 |title=Syria, China sign MoU in framework of Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative|url=http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=260411 }}</ref>
+==Foreign relations==
+On 29 June 2022, Syria became the second country in the world to recognize the [[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk People's Republics]].<ref>{{Web citation |newspaper=[[Reuters]]|title=Syria recognizes independence, sovereignty of Donetsk, Luhansk -state news agency|date=2022-06-29|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-recognizes-independence-sovereignty-donetsk-luhansk-state-news-agency-2022-06-29/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629140520/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-recognizes-independence-sovereignty-donetsk-luhansk-state-news-agency-2022-06-29/|archive-date=2022-06-29|retrieved=2022-06-30}}</ref>
+On 7 May 2023, at the meeting of the Council of the [[Arab League]] in Cairo, it was agreed to reinstate Syria's membership,<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Alarabiya|title=Arab foreign ministers agree to readmit Syria to the Arab League|date=2023-5-7|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/05/07/Arab-foreign-ministers-to-discuss-Syria-s-return-to-Arab-League-Sudan-conflict}}</ref> after being suspended on 16 November 2011 in the aftermath of the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=Aljazeera|title=Arab League decides to suspend Syria|date=2011-11-13|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/11/13/arab-league-decides-to-suspend-syria}}</ref>
+===Sanctions===
+''See also: [[Economic sanctions#Syria]]''
+Syria currently suffers from heavy sanctions enforced by the United States and [[European Union]].<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=U.S. Department of the Treasury|title=Syria Sanctions|url=https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/syria-sanctions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208015349/https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/syria-sanctions|archive-date=2023-02-08|retrieved=2023-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=EUR-Lex|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/search.html?scope=EURLEX&text=Syria+sanctions&lang=en&type=quick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213022058/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/search.html?text=Syria+sanctions&lang=en&type=quick&qid=1676254858199&scope=EURLEX|archive-date=2023-02-13|retrieved=2023-02-13}}</ref>
+During the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, Syria was unable to receive direct aid due to sanctions imposed upon the country.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Aaron Maté|newspaper=[[Twitter]]|date=2023-02-08|url=https://twitter.com/aaronjmate/status/1623000443335979009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208170406/https://twitter.com/aaronjmate/status/1623000443335979009|archive-date=2023-02-08|retrieved=2023-02-09|quote=The New York Times makes it plain: “Syria is not able to receive direct aid from many countries because of sanctions.”
+So — unless you’re a monstrous sadist — why not lift the sanctions?}}</ref> With the only U.N. approved entry into Syria from Turkey – generally used to provide aid to government opposition groups – being destroyed, the three other unapproved crossings remained empty of humanitarian convoys.<ref name=":0" /> Despite these adversities Iran was able to supply Syria with 70 tons of food, tents and medicine.<ref name=":0" />
+==References==
 <references />
 [[Category:Countries]]
@@ Line 23: / Line 65: @@
 [[Category:Members of the Non-Aligned Movement]]
 [[Category:Targets of regime change operations]]
+[[Category:Countries targeted by imperialist aggression]]
+[[Category:Anti-imperialist states]]

Syrian Arab Republic ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْعَرَبِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: وَحْدَةٌ ، حُرِّيَّةٌ ، اِشْتِرَاكِيَّةٌ "Unity, Freedom, Socialism"

Capital and largest city	Damascus
Official languages	Arabic
Leaders

• President	Bashar al-Assad
• Prime Minister	Hussein Arnous
• Vice President	Farouk al-Sharaa
• Vice President	Najah al-Attar
• Speaker of the People's Council	Hammouda Sabbagh

Area
• Total	185,180 km²
Population
• 2023 estimate	22,933,531
Currency	Syrian pound