This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.

The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, is one of the most complex and devastating conflicts of the 21st century. To understand the reasons behind the war and the ongoing devastation, it is crucial to examine the deep-seated historical, political, and social factors that contributed to the eruption of violence. The roots of the conflict lie in the intricate interplay of long-standing authoritarian rule, sectarian tensions, and socio-economic struggles, all of which had festered for decades before the first spark of the revolution ignited in the streets of Syria.

Syria's modern history is marked by a legacy of colonialism, military coups, and the struggle for political identity in the aftermath of French rule. The French Mandate over Syria, which lasted from 1920 to 1946, left an indelible mark on the country's political landscape. The mandate divided the population along sectarian lines, creating tensions between religious and ethnic groups. These divisions were exacerbated by the subsequent formation of an independent Syrian state, where military coups and authoritarian regimes became a fixture of governance. The Alawite minority, to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs, came to dominate the country's political system after the Assad family's rise to power in 1970. The Assad regime, under both Hafez al-Assad and his son Bashar, maintained strict control over the country through a combination of military power, intelligence agencies, and a system of patronage that rewarded loyalty while stifling dissent.