Syria's independence from France is officially recognised.

Syria, officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic: سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, Sūriyā, and ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْعَرَبِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ, romanized: al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a fascinating country situated in Western Asia. Its strategic location places it at the crossroads of various cultures and civilizations, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to its west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and southeast, Jordan to the south, and both Israel and Lebanon to the southwest. Just across the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean to its west lies the island nation of Cyprus, further emphasizing its critical maritime position.

Geographically, Syria is a land of remarkable contrasts, encompassing fertile plains that have sustained agriculture for millennia, majestic high mountains, and vast, arid deserts. This diverse landscape is mirrored in its vibrant population, which is a rich tapestry of ethnic and religious groups. While the majority are Syrian Arabs, the country is also home to significant communities of Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Armenians, Circassians, Mandaeans, and Greeks. Religiously, the population comprises Sunnis, Christians (including various denominations), Alawites, Druze, Isma'ilis, Mandaeans, Shiites, Salafis, and Yazidis. The bustling capital and largest city, Damascus, stands as a testament to this rich heritage. Although Arabs constitute the largest ethnic group and Sunnis the largest religious group, the interplay of these diverse communities has profoundly shaped Syria's unique cultural identity throughout history.

A Glimpse into Syria's Political Landscape and Deep History

Syria operates as a unitary republic, administratively divided into 14 governorates, each playing a role in its governance. Notably, it is the only country in the world that formally espouses Ba'athism, an ideology blending Arab nationalism with socialism. While Syria remains a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and a founding member of the United Nations, its international standing has faced challenges. It was suspended from the Arab League in November 2011 and also from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and has self-suspended its membership from the Union for the Mediterranean, often in response to internal political developments and regional tensions.

The name "Syria" itself carries profound historical weight, traditionally referring to a much wider geographical expanse broadly synonymous with the Levant region, famously known in Arabic as al-Sham. The modern state of Syria is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, encompassing the sites of several ancient kingdoms and empires that flourished over millennia. This includes the influential Eblan civilization, which emerged as early as the 3rd millennium BC. Indeed, cities like Aleppo and the capital, Damascus, proudly claim their status among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the entire world. During the Islamic era, Damascus ascended to great prominence, serving as the illustrious seat of the Umayyad Caliphate and later as a crucial provincial capital under the Mamluk Sultanate based in Egypt, leaving an indelible mark on its architectural and cultural heritage.

The Birth of Modern Syria: From Mandate to Independence

The modern Syrian state as we know it today began to take shape in the mid-20th century. This followed a prolonged period of Ottoman rule that lasted for centuries, succeeded by a relatively brief but impactful era as a French mandate territory. Upon its creation, the newly formed state emerged as the largest Arab state carved out from the formerly Ottoman-ruled Syrian provinces, embodying aspirations for pan-Arab unity. Syria formally achieved de jure independence as a parliamentary republic on October 24, 1945, a pivotal moment when the Republic of Syria proudly became a founding member of the United Nations. This act legally concluded the French Mandate, though French troops did not fully depart from the country until April 1946, marking the true dawn of its sovereignty.

Turbulence and the Rise of the Ba'ath Party

The period immediately following independence proved to be exceptionally tumultuous for Syria, characterized by a series of military coups and attempted coups that shook the nation from 1949 to 1971, reflecting deep political instability. In a notable pan-Arab experiment, Syria briefly entered into a union with Egypt in 1958, forming the United Arab Republic (UAR). However, this ambitious political merger was short-lived, dissolving after a Syrian coup d'état in 1961. The republic was subsequently renamed the Arab Republic of Syria in late 1961, following a constitutional referendum held on December 1 of that year. The country remained increasingly unstable until the Ba'athist coup d'état of 1963, a watershed moment that decisively brought the Ba'ath Party to power, where it has maintained its dominant position ever since. From 1963 until 2011, Syria operated under an Emergency Law, which effectively suspended most constitutional protections for its citizens, centralizing authority significantly.

The Assad Era and the Syrian Civil War

The reins of power have largely been held by the Assad family since 1971. Hafez al-Assad served as president from 1971 until his death in 2000, when he was succeeded by his son, Bashar al-Assad, who has remained president ever since. Throughout this extensive period, both Syria and its ruling Ba'ath Party have faced widespread condemnation and criticism from international bodies and human rights organizations for various alleged human rights abuses. These criticisms have encompassed issues such as frequent executions of citizens and political prisoners, as well as extensive censorship and suppression of dissent.

A profound turning point in Syria's recent history began in March 2011, with the outbreak of a multi-sided civil war. This devastating conflict, often linked to the wider Arab Spring uprisings, quickly drew in a complex web of regional and international actors, involving them militarily or through other forms of support. As a tragic consequence of the war, a number of self-proclaimed political entities have emerged and established control over different territories within Syria, including various Syrian opposition factions, the autonomous region of Rojava, the Islamist group Tahrir al-Sham, and at one point, the notorious Islamic State group. The immense human cost and widespread destruction led Syria to be ranked last on the Global Peace Index from 2016 to 2018, tragically designating it as the most violent country in the world during that period. The conflict has claimed the lives of more than 570,000 people, resulted in an estimated 7.6 million internally displaced people by July 2015 (according to UNHCR), and created over 5 million refugees registered by UNHCR by July 2017, making accurate population assessment exceptionally challenging in recent years as the nation grapples with this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions About Syria

What is the official name of Syria?
Syria's official name is the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic: ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْعَرَبِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah).
Where is Syria located?
Syria is located in Western Asia, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to its west. It shares land borders with Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon.
What are the major ethnic and religious groups in Syria?
The largest ethnic group in Syria is Syrian Arabs. Other significant ethnic communities include Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Armenians, and Circassians. Religiously, the majority are Sunnis, with substantial populations of Christians, Alawites, Druze, Isma'ilis, Shiites, and Yazidis.
What is Ba'athism?
Ba'athism is a secular, pan-Arab ideology that combines Arab nationalism with socialist principles. Syria is currently the only country that officially espouses this ideology.
When did Syria gain independence?
Syria gained de jure independence on October 24, 1945, becoming a founding member of the United Nations. French troops, however, did not fully depart until April 1946.
What caused the Syrian Civil War?
The Syrian Civil War, which began in March 2011, was sparked by widespread anti-government protests during the Arab Spring. These protests escalated into a full-scale conflict involving government forces, various opposition groups, and international actors, fueled by grievances over political repression, economic issues, and a desire for greater freedoms.
What are some of Syria's ancient historical sites?
Syria boasts an incredibly rich history with numerous ancient sites. Key examples include the ancient city of Ebla, the millennia-old continuously inhabited cities of Aleppo and Damascus, and various Roman and Byzantine ruins found across the country. Damascus was also the seat of the Umayyad Caliphate.
How has the civil war impacted Syria's population?
The civil war has had a catastrophic impact on Syria's population. It has resulted in over 570,000 deaths, displaced 7.6 million people internally, and forced more than 5 million to become refugees in neighboring countries and beyond, making accurate population assessment extremely difficult and leading to a profound humanitarian crisis.