SW Asia Arab Spring Arab Spring Arab Spring

SW Asia Arab Spring

Arab Spring �Arab Spring- a series of rebellions that occurred throughout Southwest Asia and Africa in 2011. �Social media like Twitter and Facebook played a large role in organizing and spreading the word of rebellion. �This started a democratic revolution against corrupt governments that has rolled its way through Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and now Syria.

Major Protests Government overthrow Armed Minor Protests

Tunisia � It all started in Tunisia when a small produce seller lit himself on fire to protest the government taking away his job. � The government was overthrown on Jan. 14, 2011. President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali flees into exile. � Elections for a Constituent Assembly held on Oct. 23, 2011.

Egypt � The government was overthrown on Feb. 11, 2011. � President Hosni Mubarak steps down, faces charges of killing unarmed protesters. � Elections were held on Nov. 28, 2011. � Protests continue in Tahrir Square. � Egypt’s two most powerful forces the military and the Muslim Brotherhood moved toward a showdown over who would control the country. � Raise concerns about the role an Islamist Egypt might play in the region

Libya � Libya: Anti-government protests begin on Feb. 15, 2011, leading to civil war between opposition forces and Moammar Gadhafi loyalists. � UN placed sanctions on Gadhafi � UN declared a “no-fly” zone to protect protestors from Gadhafi’s troops � NATO troops get involved � Tripoli was captured and the government overthrown on Aug. 23. Gadhafi was killed by transition forces on Oct. 20. � US ambassador killed 9/11/12.

Syria � President Bashar al-Assad, launched a violent crackdown last year on activists demanding more economic prosperity, political freedom and civil liberties. � Nationwide uprising and eventually a civil war with armed rebels, many of whom defected from the military. � More than 17, 000 people, mostly civilians, killed. � 170, 000 refugees have fled

Syria Continued… � Syrian government has referred to the opposition as terrorists trying to destabilize the country. � Opposition leaders say that's just the regime's way of justifying attacks. � U. S. and many other global leaders have called on al. Assad to give up the power his family has held since 1970. � They've also imposed economic sanctions on Syria as they try to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis. � United States is providing only non-lethal aid and humanitarian assistance

Syria Continued… � Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two Sunni-led countries in the Middle East, are believed to be sending arms to the opposition. � Most Syrians are Sunni � al- Assad is Alawite � Alawite -branch of Shia’s Islam � Iran is supporting al-Assad and the Syrian regime, as is Lebanon-based Hezbollah, another Shia ally.

Other Countries �Other nations: Protests and uprisings related to the Arab Spring also took place in other countries as well, including: Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco and Oman. �Arab Spring Protest Interactive Timeline