🧵🇸🇾 10 MOMENTS THAT HAVE SHAPED SYRIA'S MODERN HISTORY
As Syrian history is being written with the advancement of Damascus, let’s dive into the 10 defining events in Syrian history leading up to this pivotal chapter in the nations history.👇
As Syrian history is being written with the advancement of Damascus, let’s dive into the 10 defining events in Syrian history leading up to this pivotal chapter in the nations history.👇
1/ The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)
France and Britain secretly carved up Ottoman lands during WWI. Syria was handed to France, despite promises of Arab independence made to local leaders.
This betrayal planted the seeds of distrust toward Western powers and set the stage for borders that still fuel conflict today.
France and Britain secretly carved up Ottoman lands during WWI. Syria was handed to France, despite promises of Arab independence made to local leaders.
This betrayal planted the seeds of distrust toward Western powers and set the stage for borders that still fuel conflict today.
2/ Independence from France (1946)
After years of colonial rule, Syria became independent.
But instead of unity, political instability reigned, with 20 coups in 24 years. Nationalism was strong, but finding a leader everyone could agree on?
Not so much. Independence came at the cost of cohesion.
After years of colonial rule, Syria became independent.
But instead of unity, political instability reigned, with 20 coups in 24 years. Nationalism was strong, but finding a leader everyone could agree on?
Not so much. Independence came at the cost of cohesion.
3/ The Rise of the Ba'ath Party (1963)
The Ba'athists took power, promising pan-Arab unity and socialism.
Their slogan? "Unity, Freedom, Socialism.”
The reality? More like "Censorship, Control, and Coups."
Their rule turned Syria into a one-party state, silencing opposition and centralizing power.
The Ba'athists took power, promising pan-Arab unity and socialism.
Their slogan? "Unity, Freedom, Socialism.”
The reality? More like "Censorship, Control, and Coups."
Their rule turned Syria into a one-party state, silencing opposition and centralizing power.
4/ Hafez al-Assad Takes Power (1970)
Hafez al-Assad, a military officer, orchestrated a bloodless coup to seize power.
He built a cult of personality, creating a regime that mixed fear, loyalty, and propaganda.
Assad positioned Syria as a key regional player, but at home, dissent was crushed.
Hafez al-Assad, a military officer, orchestrated a bloodless coup to seize power.
He built a cult of personality, creating a regime that mixed fear, loyalty, and propaganda.
Assad positioned Syria as a key regional player, but at home, dissent was crushed.
5/ Hama Massacre (1982)
When the Muslim Brotherhood staged an uprising, Hafez responded with unparalleled brutality.
The army destroyed Hama, killing tens of thousands.
It sent a chilling message: rebellion would be met with annihilation.
This event cemented Hafez’s reputation as one of the Middle East’s most ruthless leaders.
When the Muslim Brotherhood staged an uprising, Hafez responded with unparalleled brutality.
The army destroyed Hama, killing tens of thousands.
It sent a chilling message: rebellion would be met with annihilation.
This event cemented Hafez’s reputation as one of the Middle East’s most ruthless leaders.
6/ Bashar al-Assad Takes Over (2000)
After Hafez’s death, his son Bashar, a Western-educated eye doctor, took the reins.
Initially seen as a reformer, he quickly reverted to his father’s authoritarian playbook.
The Assad dynasty tightened its grip, but cracks in the regime began to show.
After Hafez’s death, his son Bashar, a Western-educated eye doctor, took the reins.
Initially seen as a reformer, he quickly reverted to his father’s authoritarian playbook.
The Assad dynasty tightened its grip, but cracks in the regime began to show.
7/ The Arab Spring Reaches Syria (2011)
What began as peaceful protests against corruption and repression turned into a civil war when Assad’s forces opened fire on demonstrators.
This uprising became one of the bloodiest conflicts in modern history, with Assad clinging to power at all costs.
What began as peaceful protests against corruption and repression turned into a civil war when Assad’s forces opened fire on demonstrators.
This uprising became one of the bloodiest conflicts in modern history, with Assad clinging to power at all costs.
8/ The Syrian Civil War (2011-Present)
What began as peaceful Arab Spring protests turned into a devastating civil war.
Over 12 years later, the conflict has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions.
What began as peaceful Arab Spring protests turned into a devastating civil war.
Over 12 years later, the conflict has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions.
9/ The Rise of ISIS (2013-2019)
Amid Syria’s chaos, ISIS seized control of vast territories, declaring a “caliphate.”
Their rule brought atrocities, slavery, and destruction. It also drew international powers into Syria, making the war even more complicated.
Defeating ISIS became a global priority, but the scars remain.
Amid Syria’s chaos, ISIS seized control of vast territories, declaring a “caliphate.”
Their rule brought atrocities, slavery, and destruction. It also drew international powers into Syria, making the war even more complicated.
Defeating ISIS became a global priority, but the scars remain.
10/ The Refugee Crisis (Ongoing)
Syria’s war displaced over half its population, with millions fleeing to neighboring countries and Europe.
This crisis reshaped global migration policies, strained resources, and became a flashpoint for debates about immigration and humanitarian aid.
Syria’s war displaced over half its population, with millions fleeing to neighboring countries and Europe.
This crisis reshaped global migration policies, strained resources, and became a flashpoint for debates about immigration and humanitarian aid.
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