Syrian civil war

Throughout Syria, battles between President Assad’s government and rebel forces continue along the borders and around cities. In June and July, fighting intensified in several major urban centers, including Aleppo, Homs and Damascus. Casualty counts vary widely, but the UN conservatively estimates that 10,000 people have been killed since the crisis began in March 2011.

Russia and China have blocked international sanctions against the Assad government, and at the end of July the UN observer mission began withdrawing from Syria.

The war has resulted in more than 1.5 million people being displaced in Syria and hundreds of thousands fleeing to refugee camps in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq. Several battles along border regions have spilled over into Lebanon and Turkey.

The Lebanese government and military have stated that they will neither provide a safe haven for the insurgents nor allow Syrian troops to attack within Lebanon. The diplomatic situation between Lebanon and Syria remains tense due to a long history of Syrian influence on Lebanese politics.