Origins of the Syrian Civil War and the Ensuing Refugee Crisis

The Syrian civil war erupted as a fallout of the 2010-11 Arab Spring uprisings that swept across West Asia and Northern Africa. The citizens of Syria rose in revolt against the government led by Bashar Al Assad. The situation was further complicated by the rise of terrorist groups like ISIS, which seized large territories in Syria. This ignited a full-scale war involving the Syrian Army, Iran, Russia, USA, Kurdish fighters demanding a separate Kurdistan, US-backed rebel groups, and ISIS. This has led to a massive humanitarian crisis in Syria that has been ongoing since 2011.

Which is the World's Largest Refugee Crisis According to UNHCR?

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Syrian refugee crisis is currently the world's largest refugee crisis.

1. In countries like Lebanon and Jordan, approximately 70% of Syrian refugees live below the poverty line.
2. Syrian refugees often live in cramped conditions, with inadequate privacy, electricity, and water facilities.
3. Those who remain in Syria struggle to sustain their families as the war has completely destroyed the country's infrastructure and services.

Who are the Kurds in Syria?

The Kurds, who are the largest ethnic minority in Syria, have established a self-governing region in the northeastern part of the country. Most Syrian Kurds speak Kurmanji. In 2011, they constituted 7 to 10 percent of the Syrian population. However, the Kurdish population in Syria is relatively smaller compared to that in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.

The information provided above will be useful for candidates preparing for the UPSC 2021.

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