32-The Syrian civil war- Timeline and statistics

<table><tr><td>Research Briefing</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Number 9381</td><td>The Syrian civil war: Timeline and</td></tr><tr><td>By Philip Loft,</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Georgina Sturge (Refugees), Esme Kirk-Wade (Defence)</td><td>statistics</td></tr><tr><td>25 September 2023</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td><a href="#bookmark1">Summary 2</a><a href="#bookmark2">1 Military control, March 2023 2</a><a href="#bookmark3">2 Timeline of key events 3</a><a href="#bookmark4">3 The Syrian civil war in numbers 8</a><a href="#bookmark5">3.1 Casualties 8</a> <a href="#bookmark6">3.2 Impact on children 9</a> <a href="#bookmark7">3.3 Refugees and displaced people 9</a> <a href="#bookmark8">3.4 Humanitarian needs of the population 12</a> <a href="#bookmark9">3.5 Aid access to Syria 12</a> <a href="#bookmark10">3.6 Syria’s economic crisis 13</a><a href="#bookmark11">4 The UK and Syria: Key statistics 15</a><a href="#bookmark12">4.1 UK aid 15</a> <a href="#bookmark13">4.2 UK military activity 17</a> <a href="#bookmark14">4.3 UK Islamic State fighters in Syria/Iraq 18</a><a href="#bookmark15">5 Further resources/reading 20</a></td></tr></table><a id="bookmark1"></a>SummaryIt is over 12 years since the conflict in Syria began. The conflict has killed more than 350,000 people and caused the displacement of half the Syrianpopulation.<a href="https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15276.doc.htm">Chemical weapons have also been deployed.</a>Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, aided by Iran and Russia, now controls most of Syria and is likely to remain in power. His position was furtherstrengthened by the Arab League re-admitting Syria as a member in May 2023; Syria had been suspended from the League in 2011.This research briefing gives a timeline of main events, statistics on thehumanitarian and economic effects of the war, UK participation and aid, and a list of further reading and regularly updated resources on the conflict.The Library research briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9381/">Syria’s civil war in 2023: Syria back in the Arab</a> <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9381/">League</a>provides analysis on the current state of the conflict and the AssadGovernment, the role of foreign powers in Syria, and prospects for peace.<a id="bookmark2"></a>1 Military control, March 2023Assad Government forces and their allies (shown in red on the below map),now control around 65% to 70% of Syria, including the capital Damascus. The second largest area (20% to 25% of Syria) is held by the Kurdish-led SyrianDemocratic Forces (SDF), in the north west. US forces are also based there.<img src="/media/202408//1724838604.258452.png" /><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/15/twelve-years-on-from-the-beginning-of-syrias-war">From Al-Jazeera, Twelve years on from the beginning of Syria’s war,</a> 15 March 2023,<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">CC-BY-NC-SA.</a>Image cropped.<img src="/media/202408//1724838604.612524.png" />The Syrian civil war: Timeline and statistics<a id="bookmark16"></a>2<img src="/media/202408//1724838604.707268.jpeg" />2011: Conflict begins<img src="/media/202408//1724838604.9811609.png" />2012: Transition into civil war<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.114887.jpeg" />2013: Emergence of Islamic StateCommons votesagainst militaryaction in Syria inresponse to alleged use of chemical<a id="bookmark17"></a>weapons by Assad<a id="bookmark3"></a>Timeline of key eventsIn March 2011, President Assad faced a significant challenge to his rule when anti-government protests broke out in Syria, inspired by a wave of pro-democracy uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. These events were known as the Arab Spring. By the summer of 2011, armed opposition groups, such as the Free Syrian Army, had emerged.<a href="#bookmark17">1</a>The Syrian Government rejected a peace plan presented by the<a href="https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/arab-league">Arab League</a> (an organisation of Arab states in North Africa and the Middle East) andwhich was backed by the UN.<a href="#bookmark17">2</a> In August, the US, UK, and others called for Assad to stand down. Syria was suspended from the League in November.<a id="bookmark18"></a>Background can be found in the Commons Library briefings,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05928/">Unrest spreads</a><a id="bookmark19"></a><a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05928/">to Syria</a>(June 2011) and<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06134/">In brief: Syria crisis</a>(November 2011).<a id="bookmark16"></a><a href="#bookmark16">In 2012, fighting widened and spread to the capital Damascus and Syria’s</a><a id="bookmark16"></a><a href="#bookmark16">second largest city, Aleppo. In June, a UN official described the country as</a><a id="bookmark16"></a><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-idUSBRE85B0DZ20120612">being in “civil war”</a>for the first time.<a href="#bookmark17">3</a><a id="bookmark20"></a>Iran<a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/iranian-strategy-syria">stepped up support to Assad,</a> providing military advisors and helpingfound pro-Government militias, such as the National Defence Forces.<a href="#bookmark21">4</a><a id="bookmark22"></a>The briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/rp12-48/">Syria: No end in sight?</a>(August 2012), has more information.<a id="bookmark22"></a><a href="#bookmark22">In 2012, the number of Syrian refugees displaced by the conflict reached</a><a id="bookmark22"></a><a href="#bookmark22">500,000. By March 2013, they numbered one million, and by September 2013,</a><a id="bookmark22"></a>two million.<a href="#bookmark23">5</a><a id="bookmark24"></a><a href="#bookmark24">2013 included the emergence of Islamic State/Daeshin eastern Syria and</a><a id="bookmark25"></a><a href="#bookmark25">Western Iraq. Over several months, the group established control over large</a><a id="bookmark26"></a><a href="#bookmark26">parts of both countries. At its height, the group held around a third of Syria</a><a id="bookmark27"></a>and 40% of Iraq. By December 2017,<a href="https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state">it lost 95% of its territory,</a> including its<a id="bookmark28"></a>nominal capital,<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27838034">Raqqa in Syria.</a><a href="#bookmark29">6</a><a id="bookmark30"></a>The Library briefings,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06610/">Military forces in Syria and the rise of the Jihadis</a>(April<a id="bookmark31"></a>2013) and<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8248/">Isis/Daesh: What now for the military campaign in Iraq and Syria?</a>(July 2018) provide policy background.UN chemical weapons inspectors<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23927399">confirmed the use of the nerve agent Sarin</a> in an attack on areas around Damascus in August 2013, though did not<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.1780028.png" />1 Council for Foreign Relations,<a href="https://www.cfr.org/article/syrias-civil-war">Syria’s civil war: The descent into horror,</a> 17 March 20212 Council for Foreign Relations,<a href="https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/arab-league">The Arab League,</a> updated 25 May 2023<a id="bookmark21"></a>3 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-idUSBRE85B0DZ20120612">Syria in civil war, UN official says,</a> Reuters, 12 June 2012<a id="bookmark23"></a>4 Institute for the Study of War,<a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/iranian-strategy-syria">Iranian strategy in Syria,</a> 2013, pp6, 20<a id="bookmark29"></a>5 UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)<a href="https://www.unhcr.org/5245a72e6.pd">, Syria: Factsheet. Timeline and figures</a>(PDF), undated, p16 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27838034">Islamic State and the crisis in Iraq and Syria in maps,</a> BBC News, 28 March 2018; Wilson Center, <a href="https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state">Timeline: The rise, spread and fall of the Islamic state,</a> 28 October 2019<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.340665.png" />2014: US-ledcoalition attacks Islamic State<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.377132.png" />2015: Russialaunches military campaign insupport of Assadallocate responsibility to any party.<a href="#bookmark32">7</a> The US said the Syrian Government was to blame.<a href="#bookmark33">8</a> Assad agreed to hand over his remaining chemical weapons and completed this process for the weapons he had declared by June 2014.<a href="#bookmark34">9</a>In August, the House of Commons<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/news/2013/august/commons-debate-on-syria/">voted against joint military action</a>with the US against Assad, in response to his alleged use of chemical weapons.<a href="#bookmark35">10</a>The briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7166/">Parliamentary approval for military action</a>provides information on Parliament’s role in approving the deployment of the armed forces.In August 2014, US airforces intervened militarily in Syria for the first time, as part of a coalition campaign against Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria.Participants included Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.<a href="#bookmark36">11</a>The Library briefing<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06995/">, Isis/Daesh: The military response in Iraq and Syria</a> (March 2017) has more on this.China and Russia<a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11407.doc.htm">voted against a draft resolution at the UN Security Council</a> to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court to hold Assad accountable.<a href="#bookmark37">12</a>In 2014, the UK Government launched the Syrian Vulnerable PersonResettlement Programme (VPRP) to allow selected Syrians to come to the UK. In 2015, the Government said it would resettle up to 20,000 people under the scheme.The Library briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06805/">The UK’s Syrian VPRP</a>(June 2017) and section 3.3 of this briefing has more.In 2015, Russia, which had previously provided weapons and diplomatic support to Assad, launched its own military campaign. This involveddeploying Russian ground troops and aerial attacks on Islamic State and Free Syrian Army forces (who opposed Assad). Russia’s intervention is seen byanalysts as helping turn the war in Assad’sfavour.<a href="#bookmark38">13</a><a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12171.doc.htm">UN Security Council Resolution 2254,</a> unanimously adopted in December 2015,called for the creation of a constitutional committee to draft a newconstitution for Syria.<a href="#bookmark39">14</a> The constitutional committee first met in 2019.<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.4131122.png" /><a id="bookmark33"></a><a id="bookmark32"></a>7 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23927399">Syria chemical attack: What we know,</a> BBC News, 24 September 20138 White House,<a href="https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/30/government-asseSsment-syrian-government-s-use-chemical-weapons-august-21">Government assessment of the Syrian Government’s use of chemical weapons on 21</a> <a id="bookmark34"></a><a href="https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/30/government-asseSsment-syrian-government-s-use-chemical-weapons-august-21">August 2013,</a> 30 August 20139 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-chemicalweapons-idUSKBN0EY18T20140623">Syria hands over remaining chemical weapons for destruction,</a> Reuters, 23 June 2014<a id="bookmark36"></a><a id="bookmark35"></a>10 UK Parliament,<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/news/2013/august/commons-debate-on-syria/">House of Commons debate on Syria,</a> 30 August 201311 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/23/us-launches-air-strikes-against-isis-targets-in-syria">US confirms 14 airstrikes against IS in Syria,</a> The Guardian, 23 September 2014<a id="bookmark38"></a><a id="bookmark37"></a>12 UN,<a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11407.doc.htm">Referral of Syria to International Criminal Court fails […],</a> 22 May 201413 RAND,<a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR3180.html">Understanding Russia’s intervention in Syria,</a> 2019; US Institute for Peace (USIP)<a href="https://hopuk-my.sharepoint.com/personal/loftp_parliament_uk/Documents/However,%20the%20conflict%20is%20not%20entirely">, What is</a> <a href="https://hopuk-my.sharepoint.com/personal/loftp_parliament_uk/Documents/However,%20the%20conflict%20is%20not%20entirely">Russia’s endgame in Syria?,</a> 16 February 2021;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/1/what-has-russia-gained-from-five-years-of-fighting-in-syria">What has Russia gained from five years of fighting in</a> <a id="bookmark39"></a><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/10/1/what-has-russia-gained-from-five-years-of-fighting-in-syria">Syria?,</a> Al-Jazeera, 1 October 202014 UN,<a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12171.doc.htm">Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 2254 (2015),</a> 18 December 2015<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.463372.jpeg" />2015: UK extends campaign against Islamic State to<a id="bookmark22"></a>Syria<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.507134.jpeg" />2016: Turkishmilitary enter Syria<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.5803509.png" />2017: Astana talks between Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Syria<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.745558.jpeg" />2018: UK, US, and France strike Syria in response to<a id="bookmark40"></a>chemical weaponsIn December 2015, the UK Parliament voted to extend the UK’s offensiveoperations against Islamic State from Iraq into Syria as well. The Librarybriefing<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7404/">Legal basis for UK military action in Syria</a>(December 2015) has more. The number of Syrian refugees stood at four million in 2015.<a href="#bookmark40">15</a> Labelled a“refugee crisis” by the UN, there were 1.3 million asylum claims in the EU that year. Most were from conflict-afflicted areas in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.<a href="#bookmark40">16</a>In August 2016, Turkish forces intervened militarily in northern Syria, targeting Islamic State and some Kurdish forces. As a result of five military operations from 2016 to 2022, Turkey now occupies a series of areas in northern Syria.<a href="#bookmark41">17</a>The Syrian Government also recaptured areas of Syria’s second city, Aleppo, which had been held by rebel forces since 2012.<a href="#bookmark42">18</a> Some analysts saw this as a turning point in the war against the Syrian rebels.<a href="#bookmark43">19</a>In January 2017, Iran, Turkey, and Russia began talks in Astana inKazakhstan. These were aimed at consolidating a national ceasefire, which had been agreed the previous December, and establishing pathways towardsa political settlement to the conflict.<a href="#bookmark44">20</a>As part of the Astana talks, the countries agreed to establish four “de-escalation areas” which allowed for the cessation of hostilities.<a href="#bookmark45">21</a> Three of the four areas have now been taken by Syrian Government forces.<a href="#bookmark46">22</a>The US attacked an Assad government airfield following a reported sarin gas attack.<a href="#bookmark47">23</a>The nominal Islamic State capital, Raqqa, was recaptured in October. By November, the group had<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41856330">lost 95% of the territory</a>it once held.<a href="#bookmark48">24</a>In April 2018, the UK, US, and France said that the Syrian regime wasresponsible for an alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, north of Damascus. The three countries conducted airstrikes the same month.The Library briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8283/">Chemical weapons and Syria</a>(August 2018) has more.<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.8410099.png" />15 UNHCR<a href="https://www.unhcr.org/559d67d46.html">, Total number of Syrian refugees exceeds four million,</a> 9 July 201516 UNHCR<a href="https://www.unhcr.org/uk/news/stories/2015/12/56ec1ebde/2015-year-europes-refugee-crisis.html">, 2015: The year of Europe’s refugee crisis,</a> 8 December 2015;<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34131911">Migrant crisis: Migration to</a> <a id="bookmark41"></a><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34131911">Europe explained in seven charts,</a> BBC News, 4 March 2016<a id="bookmark42"></a>17 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-military-operations-iraq-syria-2022-11-21/">Turkey’s military operations in Iraq and Syria,</a> Reuters, 21 November 2022<a id="bookmark43"></a>18 <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/22/syrias-government-recaptures-all-of-aleppo-city">Syria’s government recaptures all of Aleppo city,</a> Al-Jazeera, 22 December 201619 Carnegie Middle East Center,<a href="https://carnegie-mec.org/diwan/66314">A turning point in Aleppo,</a> 1 December 2016; Chatham House,<a href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2017/03/western-policy-towards-syria-applying-lessons-learned-0/six-inflection-points-conflict">Western</a> <a id="bookmark44"></a><a href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2017/03/western-policy-towards-syria-applying-lessons-learned-0/six-inflection-points-conflict">policy towards Syria: Applying lessons learned,</a> 15 March 201720 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38460127">Syria conflict: Ceasefire agreed, backed by Russia and Turkey,</a> BBC News, 29 December 2016;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/1/22/syria-talks-set-to-begin-in-astana-as-ceasefire-holds">Syria</a> <a id="bookmark45"></a><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/1/22/syria-talks-set-to-begin-in-astana-as-ceasefire-holds">talks to begin in Astana as ceasefire holds,</a> Al-Jazeera, 22 January 201721 Atlantic Council,<a href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/syriasource/how-the-de-escalation-zone-plan-benefits-syria-s-foreign-players/">How the “de-escalation zone” plan benefits Syria’s foreign players,</a> 23 May 2017<a id="bookmark46"></a>22 Konrad Adenauer Stiftung,<a href="https://www.kas.de/en/country-reports/detail/-/content/de-escalation-zones-in-syria">De-escalation zones in Syria,</a> 3 June 2020<a id="bookmark48"></a><a id="bookmark47"></a>23 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39531045">Syria war: Why was Shayrat airbase bombed?,</a> BBC News, 7 April 201724 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41856330">IS loses Deir al-Zour in Syria and al-Qaim in Iraq on same day,</a> BBC News, 3 November 2017<table><tr><td>2019: First meeting of UN-backedconstitution committee</td></tr><tr><td>2020: Marchceasefire in Idlib largely holds</td></tr><tr><td>2021: Assad winsfourth term in office and talks for a new constitution stall</td></tr></table>2022: Islamic State attacks reported but overall balance unchangedIn December, President Trump<a href="https://apnews.com/article/troop-withdrawals-donald-trump-syria-ap-top-news-international-news-583a18db0cd340a1a553c64ff9a47ef9">announced his intention to withdraw all US</a> <a href="https://apnews.com/article/troop-withdrawals-donald-trump-syria-ap-top-news-international-news-583a18db0cd340a1a553c64ff9a47ef9">troops from Syria,</a> declaring that Islamic State had been defeated. Only apartial withdrawal took place.<a href="#bookmark49">25</a>In 2019, a new<a href="https://www.mei.edu/publications/syrias-constitutional-committee-devil-detail">Syrian constitutional committee</a>met to draft a new constitution for Syria, under UN Resolution 2254. Talks in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 failed to make progress.<a href="#bookmark50">26</a>In response to the Turkish invasion of North Syria against Kurdish forces, US troops withdrew from the Turkish border to other parts of northeast Syria.<a href="#bookmark51">27</a> The briefing<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8710/">Syria: US withdrawal and Turkish incursion</a>(October 2019),provides more information.In March 2020, a ceasefire between Turkey and Russia over Idlib, an area heldby several opposition groups, was agreed. This followed several weeks offighting in the province. The ceasefire has largely held.<a href="#bookmark52">28</a>The Library briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8836/">Syria: The Idlib crisis and Islamic St</a>ate (March 2020) has more.Chatham House estimated that<a href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2020/11/assessing-control-and-power-dynamics-syria">Assad held around 65-70%</a>of Syria by 2020.<a href="#bookmark53">29</a>2021 saw continued peace talks and an attempt to draft a new constitution.Assad won re-election as President, in a poll condemned by the US, UK and EU as unfair and unfree. The Commons Library briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9250/">Syria: 2021 presidential</a> <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9250/">election and future prospects</a>(June 2021) provides more information.Daraa, an area in the south nominally held by the Assad regime, saw intense fighting in mid-2021 following the region’s boycotting of the presidentialelection. A ceasefire, likely brokered by Russia, was agreed in September.In 2022, the military balance remained unchanged.In January 2022, Islamic State mounted a significant attack againstHasakah prison in north east Syria. The attack continued for ten days. An estimated 500 people were killed, and some fighters escaped detention.<a href="#bookmark54">30</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838605.936558.png" /><a id="bookmark50"></a><a id="bookmark49"></a>25 <a href="https://apnews.com/article/troop-withdrawals-donald-trump-syria-ap-top-news-international-news-583a18db0cd340a1a553c64ff9a47ef9">Trump pulling out all US troops from Syria, declaring IS defeat,</a> AP News, 19 December 201826 Middle East Institute,<a href="https://www.mei.edu/publications/syrias-constitutional-committee-devil-detail">Syria’s constitutional committee: The devil in the detail,</a>6 January 2021; UN, <a href="https://press.un.org/en/2022/sc15008.doc.htm">Syria’s “relative calm” not seized upon to build credible political process […],</a> 29 August 2022<a id="bookmark51"></a>27 USIP<a href="https://www.usip.org/publications/2019/11/month-after-us-withdrawal-what-state-play-syria">, A month after US withdrawal, what is the state of play in Syria?,</a> 7 November 2019<a id="bookmark53"></a><a id="bookmark52"></a>28 International Crisis Group,<a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/eastern-mediterranean/syria/213-silencing-guns-syrias-idlib">Silencing the guns in Syria’s Idlib,</a> 14 May 202029 Chatham House,<a href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2020/11/assessing-control-and-power-dynamics-syria">Assessing control and power dynamics in Syria,</a> 13 November 2020<a id="bookmark54"></a>30 USIP<a href="https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/05/al-hol-displacement-crisis-tinderbox-could-ignite-isis-20">, Al-Hol: Displacement crisis is a tinderbox that could ignite ISIS 2.0</a>, 11 May 2022<img src="/media/202408//1724838605.98914.png" />2023: Earthquake and Syria back in the Arab League<img src="/media/202408//1724838606.228479.png" />2023: Assad visits <a id="bookmark55"></a>ChinaThe capabilities of Islamic State have since been degraded. At least twoIslamic State leaders have been killed in Syria since February 2022 (the US has not confirmed a Turkish claim that a further leader was killed in May 2023).<a href="#bookmark55">31</a>Regional re-engagement with Assad continued: Bahrain, the UAE and Turkey all took steps to strengthen relations in 2022.<a href="#bookmark56">32</a>In February 2023, two earthquakes and a series of aftershocks hit Syria and southeast Turkey. More than 55,000 people were killed, including 4,400people in north west Syria. The earthquakes exacerbated the high level of humanitarian need in the region, with 84% of the 4.1 million population already aid dependent.<a href="#bookmark57">33</a>Building on the increasing re-engagement of Arab states with Assad, in May 2023 the Arab League re-admitted Syria as a member. The US, UK, and EU opposed the decision. Russia has also been encouraging Turkey and Syria to re-establish ties to maintain stability, though Assad has called for Turkish troops to first be withdrawn from Syria.Section 3 of the Library briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9378/">Syria's civil war in 2023: Assad back in the</a> <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9378/">Arab League,</a> provide analysis on the current state of the conflict, theregional reconciliation with Assad, and continuing US and UK sanctions.The most substantial violence between Iranian-aligned and US forces for several years also took place in early 2023. In March, a US contractor was killed following a drone attack by Iran-aligned groups. In response, the US conducted retaliatory air strikes, killing a reported 19 people.<a href="#bookmark58">34</a>Protests against Assad were held in some parts of government-controlledsouthern Syria in August and early September 2023, centred on the<a href="https://minorityrights.org/minorities/druze-3/">Druze</a> <a href="https://minorityrights.org/minorities/druze-3/">minority</a>and primarily motivated by the deteriorating economic situation inSyria (see section 3.6 of this briefing). The Assad Government applied a mixture of force and economic measures to counter the protests.<a href="#bookmark59">35</a>In September 2023, President Assad was invited to China, where the twocountries announced a strategic partnership and cooperation agreements on <a href="https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/chinas-massive-belt-and-road-initiative">China’s belt and road initiative</a>to help Syria’s economy recover from theconflict. This is a further sign that Assad’s diplomatic isolation is decreasing.<a href="#bookmark60">36</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838606.4256032.png" />31 The Soufan Centre,<a href="https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2023-may-2/">Another ISIS leader is eliminated as Islamic State struggles to maintain core,</a> 2 <a id="bookmark56"></a>May 2023;<a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/us-not-backing-turkish-claims-islamic-state-leader-is-dead/7073730.html">US not backing Turkish claims Islamic State leader is dead,</a> VOA, 1 May 202332 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-60804050">Syria’s leader makes historic visit to UAE,</a> BBC News, 9 March 2022<a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/syria-bahrain-ties-continue-develop-bilateral-talks-arrival-ambassador">; Syria-Bahrain ties continue to</a> <a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/syria-bahrain-ties-continue-develop-bilateral-talks-arrival-ambassador">develop […],</a> Al-Monitor, 27 June 2022;<a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-erdogan-eyes-reset-with-syria/6712988.html">Erdogan eyes reset with Syria,</a> VOA, 23 August 2022<a id="bookmark57"></a>33 Commons Library,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9727/">Earthquake in Syria and Turkey: February 2023,</a> updated 15 February 2023<a id="bookmark58"></a>34 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/death-toll-us-strikes-pro-iran-installations-syria-rises-19-fighters-says-syrian-2023-03-25/">Attacks on Iran-linked bases in Syria will draw swift response, spokesperson says,</a> Reuters, 25<a id="bookmark59"></a>35 <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/syria-protests-revolution-assad/a-66664285">r p sts: New revolution or economic issue?,</a>h DW, 28 August 2023 and<a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/08/will-syrias-assad-resort-violence-suwayda-protests-grow?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=daily%2083123%20August%2031%202023%20149&amp;utm_content=daily%2083123%20August%2031%202023%20149+CID_1a5d65d31f4a9483686d9003cabe6a4d&amp;utm_source=campmgr&amp;utm_term=Will%20Syrias%20Assad%20resort%20to%20violence%20as%20Suwayda%20protests%20grow">Will Assad resort to</a><a id="bookmark60"></a><a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/08/will-syrias-assad-resort-violence-suwayda-protests-grow?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=daily%2083123%20August%2031%202023%20149&amp;utm_content=daily%2083123%20August%2031%202023%20149+CID_1a5d65d31f4a9483686d9003cabe6a4d&amp;utm_source=campmgr&amp;utm_term=Will%20Syrias%20Assad%20resort%20to%20violence%20as%20Suwayda%20protests%20grow">violence as Suwayda protests grow?,</a> Al-Monitor, 30 August 202336 <a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/09/syrias-assad-and-kuwaiti-crown-prince-china-signing-cooperation-deals">Syria’s Assad and Kuwaiti Crown Prince in China,</a> Al-Monitor, 22 September 2023 and<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/22/china-to-help-reconstruct-war-battered-syria">China to help</a> <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/22/china-to-help-reconstruct-war-battered-syria">reconstruct war-battered Syria,</a> Al-Jazeera, 22 September 2023<a id="bookmark5"></a><a id="bookmark4"></a>3 The Syrian civil war in numbers3.1 CasualtiesCasualtiesDue to issues in recording, access, and partiality in the information available, it is unlikely the true figure of those killed and injured will ever be known.In June 2022, the<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/06/presentation-report-civilian-deaths-syrian-arab-republic">UN published estimates on the number of civilians killed in</a> <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/06/presentation-report-civilian-deaths-syrian-arab-republic">Syria.</a> It documented 350,209 deaths directly from the conflict, of which143,350 were civilians. It estimated there were a further 163,537 civiliandeaths, bringing the civilian death total to 306,887 from March 2011 and March 2021. 1 in 13 documented deaths were women, and 1 in 13 children.<a href="#bookmark61">37</a>In June 2021, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the<a href="https://www.syriahr.com/en/217360/">total</a> <a href="https://www.syriahr.com/en/217360/">number of those killed</a>from March 2011 to June 2021 could be as high as606,000, including 495,000 documented by the organisation. The total includes civilians, rebel, government and terrorist fighters, and others.<a href="#bookmark62">38</a>The SOHR estimated 2.1 million civilians have been injured or madepermanently disabled because of the conflict.<a href="#bookmark63">39</a> In 2016, the World HealthOrganization said 1.5 million people had been injured since the crisis began.<a href="#bookmark64">40</a>Missing peopleThe exact number of Syrians who have forcibly disappeared, been detained, abducted, or gone missing is unknown.In 2019, the<a href="https://dppa.un.org/en/security-council-briefing-detainees-and-missing-persons-syria-under-secretary-general-rosemary">UN said reports suggested that more than 100,000 people had</a> <a href="https://dppa.un.org/en/security-council-briefing-detainees-and-missing-persons-syria-under-secretary-general-rosemary">gone missing since the start of the conflict,</a> “largely, but not only, because of the Syrian government.”<a href="#bookmark65">41</a>In 2021, a report to the UN said the whereabouts of “tens of thousands” of those detained remained unknown.<a href="#bookmark66">42</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838606.5502431.png" /><a id="bookmark61"></a>37 UN Office of High Commissioner on Human Rights (UNOCHR)<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27531&amp;LangID=E">, Oral update on the extent of conflict-</a> <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27531&amp;LangID=E">related deaths in the Syrian Arab Republic,</a> 24 September 2021 and<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/06/presentation-report-civilian-deaths-syrian-arab-republic">Presentation of the report on</a> <a id="bookmark62"></a><a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/06/presentation-report-civilian-deaths-syrian-arab-republic">civilian deaths in the Syrian Arab Republic,</a> 30 June 202238 SOHR,<a href="https://www.syriahr.com/en/217360/">Total death toll. Over 606,000 people killed across Syria […],</a> 1 June 2021<a id="bookmark65"></a><a id="bookmark64"></a><a id="bookmark63"></a>39 As above40 WHO,<a href="https://www.who.int/hac/crises/syr/sitreps/syria_annual-report-2016.pdf">Syrian Arab Republic: Annual report 2016</a>(PDF), 2016, p841 UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs,<a href="https://dppa.un.org/en/security-council-briefing-detainees-and-missing-persons-syria-under-secretary-general-rosemary">Security Council briefing on detainees and</a> <a id="bookmark66"></a><a href="https://dppa.un.org/en/security-council-briefing-detainees-and-missing-persons-syria-under-secretary-general-rosemary">missing persons in Syria,</a> 7 August 201942 UN Human Rights Council,<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/IICISyria/Pages/Detention-report.aspx">Report of the independent international commission of inquiry into the</a> <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/IICISyria/Pages/Detention-report.aspx">Syrian Arab Republic,</a> 11 March 2021, p9<a id="bookmark6"></a>3.2 Impact on childrenIn addition to the estimated 27,126 children killed in the ten years from March 2011,<a href="#bookmark67">43</a> according to UN figures:• From 2011 to 2020 more than 5,700 children were recruited into the fighting.<a href="#bookmark68">44</a> More than 1,300 were recruited in 2021.<a href="#bookmark69">45</a>• In March 2021, refugee children numbered 2.5 million.<a href="#bookmark70">46</a>• In May 2022, Unicef said 2.3 million children have been forced out of school. Enrolment prior to the conflict was 97%.<a href="#bookmark71">47</a>• The number of children in need reached a record high of 6.5 million in May 2022.<a href="#bookmark72">48</a><a id="bookmark7"></a>3.3 Refugees and displaced peopleThe total pre-war population of Syria was around 21 million. More than half this population is now displaced from their homes, either internally within Syria or as refugees abroad.<a href="#bookmark73">49</a>Internally displaced peopleAs of December 2022, there were 6.8 million internally displaced people in Syria. Around 80% have been displaced for at least five years.<a href="#bookmark74">50</a>Syrian refugeesRefugees first started leaving Syria in large numbers in 2012, with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees recording around 730,000 Syrian refugees in that year. This number grew rapidly to around 5.1 million refugees and asylumseekers in 2015.<img src="/media/202408//1724838606.622079.png" /><a id="bookmark67"></a>43 UNOHCHR<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27531&amp;LangID=E">, Oral update on the extent of conflict-related deaths in the Syrian Arab Republic,</a> 24 September 2021<a id="bookmark69"></a><a id="bookmark68"></a>44 Unicef,<a href="https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/syria-conflict-10-years-90-cent-children-need-support-violence-economic-crisis-and">Syria conflict 10 years on,</a> 10 March 2021<a id="bookmark70"></a>45 UN<a href="https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/document/secretary-general-annual-report-on-children-and-armed-conflict/">, Annual report on children and armed conflict,</a> 11 July 2022, para 18946 Unicef,<a href="https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/geneva-palais-briefing-note-situation-children-syria-after-ten-years-conflict">Geneva Palais briefing note on the situation of children in conflict after ten years of conflict,</a>12 March 2021<a id="bookmark71"></a>47 As above; Unicef<a href="https://www.unicef.org/syria/reports/unicef-syrias-series-think-pieces">, Every day counts: An outlook on education,</a> May 2022, p1<a id="bookmark73"></a><a id="bookmark72"></a>48 Unicef,<a href="https://www.unicef.org.uk/press-releases/number-of-syrian-children-in-need-hits-record-high/">Number of Syrian children in need hits record high,</a> May 202249 World Bank,<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/syria/overview#1">The World Bank in Syrian Arab Republic,</a> accessed 23 November 2021; UN Refugee <a id="bookmark74"></a>Agency,<a href="https://www.unhcr.org/uk/syria-emergency.html">Syria emergency,</a> updated 15 March 202150 UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)<a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-arab-republic-2023-humanitarian-needs-overview-december-2022-enar#:%7E:text=As%20a%20result%20of%20these,keep%20increasing%20across%20all%20sectors.">, 2023 humanitarian needs overview:</a> <a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-arab-republic-2023-humanitarian-needs-overview-december-2022-enar#:%7E:text=As%20a%20result%20of%20these,keep%20increasing%20across%20all%20sectors.">Syrian Arab Republic,</a> 22 December 2022, p22In June 2023, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recorded 5.3 million Syrian refugees and asylum seekers registered globally.3.7 million Syrian refugees are in Turkey, and 805,000 are hosted by Lebanon. Jordan was hosting the third largest population of Syrian refugees in theregion (660,000), followed by Iraq (262,000).<a href="#bookmark75">51</a>The UNHCR estimates that<a href="https://www.unrefugees.org/news/syria-refugee-crisis-explained/">70% of Syrian refugees live in poverty.</a><a href="#bookmark76">52</a> This rises to 80% in Jordan prior to the Covid-19 pandemic (under the poverty line of US$3/day) and 89% of those in Lebanon (who live on less than half theLebanese minimum wage).<a href="#bookmark77">53</a>Syrian refugees in the UKSince 2011, just over 34,000 Syrians have been granted asylum or another form of humanitarian protection in the UK (to June 2022).Around three fifths of them (20,300) were resettled through the Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), a programme set up in 2014 to resettle vulnerable people displaced by the Syrian conflict.<a href="#bookmark78">54</a>A small number of others were resettled during this period via other resettlement schemes.In January 2021 the UK government began two new resettlement schemes, the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) and the Community Sponsorship Scheme(CSS), both of which are open to people of all nationalities who have been assessed for resettlement by UNHCR.<a href="#bookmark79">55</a>As of June 2022, nearly two thirds (63%) of those resettled under the UKRS and nearly three quarters (73%) of those resettled under the CSS were Syrian nationals. This equated to 1,068 Syrians resettled under the UKRS and 197under the CSS, as of June 2022.<img src="/media/202408//1724838606.8886578.png" /><a id="bookmark76"></a><a id="bookmark75"></a>51 UNHCR,<a href="https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria#_ga=2.237255879.675785648.1661436428-1333671916.1621433288">Operational data portal,</a> updated 1 June 2023<a id="bookmark77"></a>52 USA for UNHCR,<a href="https://www.unrefugees.org/news/syria-refugee-crisis-explained/">Syria refugee crisis explained,</a> accessed 12 November 202153 UNHCR Lebanon,<a href="https://www.unhcr.org/lb/14025-nine-out-of-ten-syrian-refugee-families-in-lebanon-are-now-living-in-extreme-poverty-un-study-says.html">Nine out of ten Syrian refugee families in Lebanon are now living in extreme</a> <a id="bookmark78"></a><a href="https://www.unhcr.org/lb/14025-nine-out-of-ten-syrian-refugee-families-in-lebanon-are-now-living-in-extreme-poverty-un-study-says.html">poverty,</a> 18 December 2020; UNHCR,<a href="https://www.unhcr.org/uk/syria-emergency.html">Syria emergency,</a> accessed 12 November 202154 The VPRS was targeted towards Syrians although in practice some of those resettled under the <a id="bookmark79"></a>scheme had other nationalities.55 The Library’s briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9017/">Refugee resettlement in the UK: recent developments</a>provides an explanation of recent changes in resettlement policy.Syrians granted protection in the UK since 2011Asylum and resettlement figures; main applicants and dependentsSyrians resettled under other schemesGranted protection through asylum processVPRS (all nationalities)Total<table><tr><td>2011</td><td>.</td><td>.</td><td>147</td><td>147</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td>.</td><td>.</td><td>919</td><td>919</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>.</td><td>.</td><td>1,458</td><td>1,458</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>143</td><td>0</td><td>1,423</td><td>1,566</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>1,194</td><td>5</td><td>2,057</td><td>3,256</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>4,369</td><td>1</td><td>1,767</td><td>6,137</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>4,832</td><td>22</td><td>848</td><td>5,702</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>4,407</td><td>2</td><td>657</td><td>5,066</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>4,408</td><td>1</td><td>717</td><td>5,126</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>662</td><td>0</td><td>551</td><td>1,213</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>304</td><td>901</td><td>1,236</td><td>2,441</td></tr><tr><td>2022 (to June)</td><td>0</td><td>364</td><td>686</td><td>1,050</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>20,319</td><td>1,296</td><td>12,466</td><td>34,081</td></tr></table>ResettlementSource: Home Office,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets">Immigration statistics quarterly, April to June 2022,</a> table Asy_D02Note: VPRS = Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Includes a handful of non-Syrian nationals who had been displaced by the Syrian conflict.Between 2011 and June 2022, around 12,500 Syrians were granted asylum or another form of humanitarian protection via the UK’s in-country asylumprocess.<a href="#bookmark80">56</a> This means they applied for asylum from within the UK, as opposed to being resettled directly from a third country such as Turkey.Syrians applying for asylum through the UK’s in-country asylum process had the highest grant rate of any nationality during this period, with 87% ofapplications being successful at initial decision. The rate for all asylum applications across the period was 41%.<a href="#bookmark81">57</a>Syrians were the fourth largest nationality in terms of the number ofindividuals granted protection through the UK’s in-country asylum process between 2011 and June 2022, after Iranian, Eritrean, and Sudanese. When also counting resettled refugees, Syrians were by far the largest nationality group granted protection in the UK during this time. They numbered 34,000 compared with the next largest group granted protection, Iranians, who<a id="bookmark81"></a><a id="bookmark80"></a>numbered 19,700.<img src="/media/202408//1724838606.9695182.png" />56 Home Office,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets">Immigration statistics quarterly, April to June 2022</a>, table Asy_D0257 As above<a id="bookmark8"></a>3.4 Humanitarian needs of the populationFor 2023, the<a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-arab-republic-2023-humanitarian-needs-overview-december-2022-enar#:%7E:text=As%20a%20result%20of%20these,keep%20increasing%20across%20all%20sectors.">UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs</a>states in Syria there are 15.3 million in need of humanitarian assistance (70% of the population).There are around 12.1 million people who are food insecure. This means they are compromising on food quality or variety or reducing the amount theyconsume. In March 2022, food prices in Syria had increased by 24%, following an increase of 800% over the previous two years.<a href="#bookmark82">58</a><a id="bookmark9"></a>3.5 Aid access to SyriaClosure of UN border crossings and Russian veto, 2023In 2014, the UN Security Council unanimously<a href="https://press.un.org/en/2014/sc11473.doc.htm">adopted Resolution 2165</a>(2014), which established four crossing points into Syria (Babal-Salam, Babal-Hawa, Al Yarubiyah and Al-Ramtha) for UN agencies and other partners to deliver humanitarian aid.<a href="#bookmark83">59</a>However, Russia and China have blocked the renewal of these crossings, and by 2020 only one remained open: Babal-Hawa on the Turkey-Syrian border, near Idlib.<a href="#bookmark84">60</a>In July 2023, Russia vetoed the continuation of the final UN border crossing, arguing that the Syrian Government should be responsible for authorising and coordinating aid to the country.<a href="#bookmark85">61</a> The UK Government condemned Russia’sact, arguing there was “no rational or moral argument” for it.<a href="#bookmark86">62</a>What border crossings are now in place?The Assad Government allows a number of border crossings, including into opposition-controlled areas around Idlib. These include two new bordercrossings (Babal-Salam and al-Raee) with Turkey in north-western Syria. These were opened in response to the February 2023 earthquakes.<a href="#bookmark87">63</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838607.0520399.png" /><a id="bookmark82"></a>58 UNOCHA<a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-arab-republic-2023-humanitarian-needs-overview-december-2022-enar#:%7E:text=As%20a%20result%20of%20these,keep%20increasing%20across%20all%20sectors.">, 2023 humanitarian needs overview: Syrian Arab Republic,</a> December 2023, pp9, 26, 96<a id="bookmark83"></a>59 UN,<a href="https://press.un.org/en/2014/sc11473.doc.htm">With millions of Syrians in need, Security Council adopts Resolution 2165 (2014),</a> 14 July 2014<a id="bookmark84"></a>60 Center for Strategic and International Studies,<a href="https://www.csis.org/analysis/implications-un-cross-border-vote-syria">The implications of the UN cross-border vote in Syria,</a>4 June 2021 and Security Council Report,<a href="https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2023-08/in-hindsight-the-demise-of-the-syria-cross-border-aid-mechanism.php">The demise of the Syria cross-border aid mechanism,</a> 31 July 2023<a id="bookmark86"></a><a id="bookmark85"></a>61 UN,<a href="https://press.un.org/en/2023/ga12517.doc.htm#:%7E:text=However%2C%20the%20Russian%20Federation's%2011,country%20%E2%80%94%20has%20ceased%20to%20operate.">In meeting following Russian Federation’s veto […],</a> 19 July 202362 FCDO,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/there-is-no-rational-or-moral-argument-for-russia-to-veto-the-resolution-on-syria-cross-border-aid-uk-statement-at-the-security-council?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&amp;utm_source=f84038b0-db42-4258-a6e5-8d3ed2aafc4a&amp;utm_content=immediately">There is no rational or moral argument for Russia to veto the resolution […],</a> 11 July 2023<a id="bookmark87"></a>63 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/first-un-aid-convoy-passes-into-northwest-syria-newly-opened-crossing-2023-02-14/">First UN aid enters northwest Syria from newly-opened crossing,</a> Reuters, 15 February 2023Following the Russian veto in July 2023, the UN and Assad Governmentreached an agreement to continue the two crossings from Turkey announced earlier in 2023 and at a third point, Babal-Hawa.<a href="#bookmark88">64</a>Many analysts view the Russian veto and Assad-UN agreement as a victory for his regime, arguing it strengthens its image as a provider of humanitarian aid and undermines the role of the UN, and is a further illustration of Russian and Syrian attempts to rehabilitate Assad as an international actor.<a href="#bookmark89">65</a><a id="bookmark10"></a>3.6 Syria’s economic crisisSince 2011, Syria has seen substantial economic disruption. The longer the conflict continues, the greater its long-term impacts on the country’sprospects are likely to be, and the higher the costs of reconstruction.Rising poverty• In 2021, the UN estimated 80% to 90% of Syrians were in poverty.<a href="#bookmark90">66</a>• In 2022, using different measures, the World Bank estimated that“extreme poverty” before the conflict was non-existent, but rose to affect50% of the population.<a href="#bookmark91">67</a>• The<a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33936">war is estimated to also have had negative impacts on Syria’s</a><a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33936">neighbours,</a> pushing up poverty rates by four percentage points inJordan, six in Iraq and seven in Lebanon.<a href="#bookmark92">68</a>Collapse in GDP and economic activity• <a href="https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/ebb9b060753b7019705d1dafe9fe2e35-0280032021/a-decade-of-war-in-syria-the-economic-side">Syria’s gross domestic product shrank 45%</a>between 2010 and 2019(measured by official estimates).<a href="#bookmark93">69</a>• Export revenues fell from US$11.9 billion in 2010 to US$0.6 billion in2019.<a href="#bookmark94">70</a>• Economic losses were estimated to total US$442 billion from 2012 to 2020, up from US$260 billion in 2016.<a href="#bookmark95">71</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838607.165408.png" /><a id="bookmark89"></a><a id="bookmark88"></a>64 UN,<a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/08/1139577?utm_source=UN+News+-+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=0ef63b1146-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_08_10_12_00&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_fdbf1af606-0ef63b1146-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D">Deal reached with Syria to reopen main border crossing with Türkiye,</a> 9 August 202365 <a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/08/syrias-assad-wins-big-un-deal-reviving-aid-rebel-held-northwest?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=daily%208923%20August%209%202023%20315&amp;utm_content=daily%208923%20August%209%202023%20315+CID_965a6dd8d9cec189dd10f82aa36e926b&amp;utm_source=campmgr&amp;utm_term=Syrias%20Assad%20wins%20big%20in%20UN%20deal%20reviving%20aid%20to%20rebel-held%20northwest">Syria’s Assad “wins big” in UN deal reviving aid to rebel-held northwest,</a> Al-Monitor, 9 August 2023<a id="bookmark90"></a>66 UNOCHA<a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-arab-republic-2020-humanitarian-response-plan-december-2020">, Syrian Arab Republic: 2020 humanitarian response plan,</a> December 2020, section 1.2; UN, <a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14676.doc.htm">Amid grim humanitarian situation in Syria, Special Envoy, Briefing Security Council, says</a> <a id="bookmark91"></a><a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14676.doc.htm">constitutional committee must continue its work […],</a> 27 October 202167 World Bank,<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/syria/overview#:%7E:text=Before%20the%20conflict%2C%20extreme%20poverty,the%20onset%20of%20the%20conflict.">World Bank in Syria.</a> Extreme poverty is the share of population whose per capitaexpenditure is less than the cost of food plus expenditure on minimum essential non-food goods.<a id="bookmark92"></a>68 World Bank,<a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33936">The fallout of war: The regional consequences of the conflict in Syria,</a> September 2020, pp17-18<a id="bookmark93"></a>69 Harun Onder/World Bank,<a href="https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/ebb9b060753b7019705d1dafe9fe2e35-0280032021/a-decade-of-war-in-syria-the-economic-side">A decade of war in Syria: The economic side,</a> April 2021, p2<a id="bookmark95"></a><a id="bookmark94"></a>70 Harun Onder/World Bank,<a href="https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/ebb9b060753b7019705d1dafe9fe2e35-0280032021/a-decade-of-war-in-syria-the-economic-side">A decade of war in Syria: The economic side,</a> April 2021, p271 UN Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (UN ESCWA)<a href="https://www.unescwa.org/news/losses-exceeding-442-billion-and-millions-need-humanitarian-assistance-catastrophic">, Losses exceeding $442 billion […],</a> September 2020• Inflation is estimated to have been the equivalent of 800% from 2011 to 2019.<a href="#bookmark96">72</a>• Unemployment in 2015 was estimated to be 55%, rising to 75% among young people.<a href="#bookmark97">73</a>Weakened government revenues• The think-tank, the Atlantic Council, estimates Syria’s budget has fallen from US$ 753 per capita in 2010 to US $227 in 2021.<a href="#bookmark98">74</a>• Gross public debt is estimated by the IMF to have risen from 30% of GDP in 2010 to 150% in 2015.<a href="#bookmark99">75</a>• Total government revenues were 83% lower in 2021 compared to 2010.<a href="#bookmark100">76</a>Damage to infrastructureSyrian infrastructure has also been severely damaged by the conflict. In 2017, the<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/syria/publication/the-toll-of-war-the-economic-and-social-consequences-of-the-conflict-in-syria">World Bank</a>estimated that:• 27% of Syrian’s housing stock had been destroyed or damaged (based on a survey often cities)• Half of medical facilities have been damaged, and 16% destroyed (based on a survey of eight governorates)• 63% of educational facilities have been destroyed or damaged• Power generation was 62% lower in 2015 compared to 2010.<a href="#bookmark101">77</a>The February 2023 earthquakes have further worsened the economic outlook for Syria: the World Bank estimates its gross domestic product will contract by 5.5% in 2023 and the impact of the disaster will be over $5 billion.<a href="#bookmark102">78</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838607.2326138.png" /><a id="bookmark97"></a><a id="bookmark96"></a>72 UN ESCWA<a href="https://www.unescwa.org/publications/syria-war-eight-years">, Syria at war: Eight years on,</a> 2020, p65<a id="bookmark98"></a>73 UN ESCWA<a href="https://www.unescwa.org/publications/syria-war-five-years">, Syria at war: Five years on,</a> 2016, section 1.3.2.74 Atlantic Council,<a href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/2021-budget-reveals-the-depth-of-syrias-economic-woes/">2021 budget reveals the depth of Syria’s economic woes,</a> 1 December 2020<a id="bookmark100"></a><a id="bookmark99"></a>75 IMF,<a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2016/12/31/Syrias-Conflict-Economy-44033">Syria’s conflict economy,</a> June 2016, p2776 Atlantic Council,<a href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/2021-budget-reveals-the-depth-of-syrias-economic-woes/">2021 budget reveals the depth of Syria’s economic woes,</a> 1 December 2020<a id="bookmark101"></a>77 World Bank,<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/syria/publication/the-toll-of-war-the-economic-and-social-consequences-of-the-conflict-in-syria">The economic and social consequences of the conflict in Syria,</a> 2017, ppv and vi<a id="bookmark102"></a>78 World Bank,<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/03/17/earthquake-undermines-syria-s-economic-outlook-compounding-dire-socio-economic-conditions-and-internal-displacement#:%7E:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20March%2018%2C%202023%20%E2%80%93,Bank%20damage%20assessment%20released%20today.">Earthquake undermines Syria’s economic outlook [...],</a> 17 March 2023<a id="bookmark12"></a><a id="bookmark11"></a>4 The UK and Syria: Key statistics4.1 UK aidTotal aid since 2011The UK Government says its main objectives in Syria are to:• Provide humanitarian support, including for those internally displaced.• Support recovery work, such as education for girls.• Protect UK national security in respect to terrorism, radicalisation, and contesting “malign” Russian influence in the country.<a href="#bookmark103">79</a>The UK has provided a total of £3.8 billion in official development assistance (ODA) to Syria from 2011 to 2022, and the country has been the fourth largest recipient of UK aid in the Asia region during this time. 2016 saw the highestamount of UK aid to Syria during this period, at £352 million. It has since fallen as part of the<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9224/">wider reductions in UK aid spending.</a><a href="#bookmark104">80</a>ODA isaid intended to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries. Such assistance must be reported to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.<img src="/media/202408//1724838607.519215.png" />Top 6 recipients of UK bilateral ODA in Asia, 2011-2021 £ millions, not adjusted for inflation2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Total<table><tr><td>Pakistan</td><td>207</td><td>189</td><td>338</td><td>266</td><td>374</td><td>463</td><td>402</td><td>331</td><td>305</td><td>200</td><td>128</td><td>58</td><td>3,261</td></tr><tr><td>Afghanistan</td><td>264</td><td>274</td><td>212</td><td>198</td><td>300</td><td>235</td><td>227</td><td>249</td><td>290</td><td>226</td><td>187</td><td>352</td><td>3,013</td></tr><tr><td>Bangladesh</td><td>230</td><td>196</td><td>272</td><td>208</td><td>164</td><td>149</td><td>176</td><td>190</td><td>256</td><td>203</td><td>87</td><td>55</td><td>2,186</td></tr><tr><td>India</td><td>283</td><td>292</td><td>268</td><td>279</td><td>186</td><td>93</td><td>90</td><td>95</td><td>108</td><td>95</td><td>91</td><td>46</td><td>1,924</td></tr><tr><td>Syria</td><td>1</td><td>40</td><td>139</td><td>130</td><td>258</td><td>352</td><td>200</td><td>231</td><td>223</td><td>181</td><td>91</td><td>63</td><td>1,908</td></tr><tr><td>Yemen</td><td>39</td><td>40</td><td>95</td><td>82</td><td>82</td><td>127</td><td>205</td><td>166</td><td>260</td><td>221</td><td>114</td><td>77</td><td>1,509</td></tr></table><img src="/media/202408//1724838607.594996.jpeg" />Note: Includes bilateral funding only. Does not include multilateral aid—that which is given to international organisations such as the World Bank.Source: FCDO<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-final-uk-aid-spend-2022">, Table 4AB. Total bilateral ODA by country-Asia,</a> September 2023UK aid has primarily been humanitarian in nature in recent years (2018-2022), standing at £194 million in 2019. The amount of humanitarian aid stood at £57 million in 2021 and £33 million in 2022. Aid classed as humanitarian assistance involves the provision of material aid (eg, shelter, food) to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity following crises and disasters.<a href="#bookmark105">81</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838607.677674.png" /><a id="bookmark103"></a>79 FCDO,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-syria-development-partnership-summary/uk-syria-development-partnership-summary-july-2023">UK-Syria development partnership summary,</a> 17 July 2023<a id="bookmark105"></a><a id="bookmark104"></a>80 PQ 21283 <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-06-20/21283">[Syria: Development aid]</a>, 28 June 202281 FCDO,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-final-uk-aid-spend-2019">Statistics on international development: Annex 1,</a> September 2021, p62018 2019 2020 2021 2022<img src="/media/202408//1724838607.764041.png" /><img src="/media/202408//1724838607.840703.png" />74% of net UK bilateral ODA from 2018 to 2022 has been for humanitarian purposes£, millions<img src="/media/202408//1724838608.263433.jpeg" /> Humanitarian Assistance <img src="/media/202408//1724838608.380946.png" /> Other£231£223£28£181£33£194£148£31£57£33£91£34£160£63£71Source: FCDO,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-final-uk-aid-spend-2022">Data underlying the SIDS,</a> September 2023Reduced UK aid spending to Syria since 2019/20Reflecting the reduction in UK aid spending from 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) to 0.5%, UK aid to Syria has fallen since 2019/20.Spending fell from £258 million in 2019/20, to £154 million in 2020/21 to £49 million in 2021/22.The National Audit Office provides analysis of the 69% reduction in UK aid to Syria from 2020/21 to 2021/22 in its 2022 report on<a href="https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/managing-reductions-in-official-development-assistance-spending/#downloads">Managing reductions in UK</a> <a href="https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/managing-reductions-in-official-development-assistance-spending/#downloads">aid spending,</a> on pages 70 to 74.<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9224/">FCDO bilateral aid to Syria is now expected to rise</a>from 2022/23 and will almost double to £97 million in 2024/25.Based on its country spending plans published in July 2023, the FCDO isplanning to commit £72.7 million in bilateral aid to Syria in financial year2022/23, £77.0 million in 2023/24 and £97.0 million in 2024/25. These figures do not take account of spending by other government departments or UK contributions to multilateral organisations (such as the World Bank orInternational Monetary Fund) that may spend aid in Syria.<a href="#bookmark106">82</a>For the 2023 calendar year, the Government has pledged £150 million for Syria and £43 million in response to the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and <a id="bookmark106"></a>Syria.<a href="#bookmark107">83</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838608.440531.png" />82 Commons Library,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9224/">UK aid: Spending reductions since 2020 and outlook from 2023,</a> p36<a id="bookmark107"></a>83 FCDO,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-funding-for-syrians-reaches-almost-200-million-this-year">UK funding for Syrians reaches almost £200 million,</a> 15 June 2023<a id="bookmark13"></a>4.2 UK military activitySince August 2014, the UK armed forces have conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State, under Operation Shader, and providedmilitary support to the US-led coalition. Operations in Syria began in 2015.<a href="#bookmark108">84</a>As of July 2021, the RAF had flown 8,700 sorties and released 4,300 precision weapons (eg, missiles) to target Islamic State across the region. The UK has also provided training to 120,000 Iraqi and Kurdish personnel.<a href="#bookmark109">85</a>In previous years, the MOD has provided updates on the number of personnel deployed on Operation Shader in its<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mod-annual-reports">Annual Report and Accounts.</a> According to the 2020-21 Annual Report, around 1,100 personnel were involved inOperation Shader at the end of the reporting period.<a href="#bookmark110">86</a> No figure was provided in the most recent Annual Report (2021-22).<a href="#bookmark111">87</a>In June 2023, the Government said there were 154 service personnel deployedto the Kurdistan region of Iraq to provide mobility support and forceprotection to the coalition.<a href="#bookmark112">88</a> There are no recent figures for the total number of personnel deployed across Iraq.Casualties and fatalitiesAs of 31 March 2023, one member of the UK armed forces has been killed in action during Operation Shader and three have suffered battle injuries. A further five military personnel died on operation, but not in hostile action.<a href="#bookmark113">89</a>All three battle injuries occurred between 1 January and 31 March 2020 and they account for 1% of the 353 non-fatal casualties recorded on OperationShader from August 2014 to March 2023. All other casualties were either non- battle injuries, such as road traffic or sporting accidents, or occurred due to natural causes.<a href="#bookmark114">90</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838608.589314.png" />84 Ministry of Defence (MOD)<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/update-air-strikes-against-daesh">, Update: Air strikes against Daesh,</a> last updated 2 July 2022<a id="bookmark110"></a><a id="bookmark109"></a><a id="bookmark108"></a>85 HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-07-05/debates/67346738-849E-429E-8A2D-DC39742F0F33/Counter-DaeshOperationsSyriaAndIraq#contribution-5B06DE05-C32F-44C9-8E42-E7D751373276">5 July 2021,</a> c51886 MOD<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-to-2021">, Annual Report and Accounts 2020 to 2021,</a> 20 January 2022, p41<a id="bookmark111"></a>87 MOD<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2021-to-2022">, Annual Report and Accounts 2021 to 2022,</a> 14 July 2022<a id="bookmark113"></a><a id="bookmark112"></a>88 PQ 188914 <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-06-12/188914">[Iraq: Kurds]</a>, 19 June 202389 MOD<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-and-uk-civilian-operational-casualty-and-fatality-statistics-financial-year-20212022#full-publication-update-history">, Biannual UK armed forces and UK entitled civilians operational casualty and fatality statistics:</a><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-and-uk-civilian-operational-casualty-and-fatality-statistics-financial-year-20212022#full-publication-update-history">1 January 2006 to 31 March 2022,</a> 19 May 2022. Fatalities recorded as ‘died on operation’ include accidental deaths, assaults, suicides and deaths as a result of natural causes. Full definitions of terms used to record casualties and fatalities are listed in the ‘glossary and definitions’ sections of <a id="bookmark114"></a>the publication report.90 Figures presented are based on casualties that meet the reporting criteria for this Official Statistic, ie, casualties resulting in an initial Notification of Casualty (the formalised system of reportingcasualties within the UK Armed Forces) being raised, admission to a UK led field hospital (where data are available) or an aeromedical evacuation.The UK has accepted responsibility for one civilian fatality that occurred during an airstrike in eastern Syria on 26 March 2018.<a href="#bookmark115">91</a> The Government stated that it is currently unaware of any further instances of civiliancasualties sustained during Operation Shader but has acknowledged the possibility of their existence.<a href="#bookmark116">92</a>Cost of Operation ShaderThe most recent figures to 2021/22 show that the total cost of OperationShader has amounted to £2.5 billion in real terms (2022/23 prices) since 2014. The cost of operations peaked in 2017/18 and has since fallen by around 67%.Since 2015/16, Counter Daesh operations have been the largest contribution to Ministry of Defence operations expenditure. In 2021/22 this accounted for 39% of total expenditure.<a href="#bookmark117">93</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838608.726669.png" />Cost of Operation Shader peaked in 2017/18£ millions, real terms (2022/23 prices)63051226220616227<img src="/media/202408//1724838608.8746612.png" />2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22513191<img src="/media/202408//1724838609.250061.png" /><img src="/media/202408//1724838609.311939.png" /><img src="/media/202408//1724838609.37619.png" /><img src="/media/202408//1724838609.511741.png" />Note: GDP deflator growth for 2020/21 and 2021/22 has been averaged across the two years to smooth distortions caused by pandemic-related factors.Source: MOD<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/defence-departmental-resources-2022">, Defence Departmental Resources: 2022,</a> 1 December 2022, Table 7; HM Treasury,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/gdp-deflators-at-market-prices-and-money-gdp">GDP</a> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/gdp-deflators-at-market-prices-and-money-gdp">deflators at market prices, and money GDP,</a> March 2023 (Quarterly National Accounts)<a id="bookmark14"></a><a id="bookmark117"></a><a id="bookmark116"></a><a id="bookmark115"></a>4.3 UK Islamic State fighters in Syria/IraqForeigner fighters have fought for several forces in the Syrian conflict, joining, for example, Kurdish forces, mercenary groups, and Islamic State.<a href="https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/s/res/2178-%282014%29">UN</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838609.6098292.png" />91 HCWS 665 <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2018-05-02/HCWS665">[Counter-Daesh Operations]</a>, 2 May 201892 PQ 171461 <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-03-22/171461">[Iraq and Syria: Military Intervention]</a>, 22 March 202393 MOD<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/defence-departmental-resources-2022/mod-departmental-resources-2022#estimated-mod-equipment-expenditure">, Defence Departmental Resources: 2022,</a> 1 December 2022<a href="https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/s/res/2178-%282014%29">Resolution 2178 (2014)</a>requires states to take steps to prevent and supress the recruitment and financing of foreign fighters in Syria.<a href="#bookmark118">94</a>How many foreign fighters joined Islamic State in Syria?The true numbers of foreign participants are unknown. In 2017,<a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc13097.doc.htm">the UN</a> <a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc13097.doc.htm">estimated that more than 40,000 foreign fighters from 110 countries travelled</a> <a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc13097.doc.htm">to join Islamic State</a>in Iraq and Syria, and that 5,600 from 33 states hadreturned home.<a href="#bookmark119">95</a> Many remain in Syria, either in custody or at large.<a href="#bookmark120">96</a>The number of UK citizens who have fought with Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is uncertain—in 2019, the Government estimated they numbered 900.<a href="#bookmark121">97</a>UK policy and responseIn 2018, the Government said that of the estimated 900 UK citizens in Syria who fought with Islamic State:• 40 had been prosecuted because of their actions in Syria (4%)• 180 had been killed (20%)• 540 had returned to the UK (60%). Note in 2019, the Home Office reported around 400 had returned (44%)• This implies around 180-320 remained in Syria (20% to 36%).<a href="#bookmark122">98</a>From 2010 to 2019, around 150 individuals were deprived of their British citizenship for links to terrorism and serious crime.<a href="#bookmark123">99</a> This includes those involved in action beyond Islamic State and Syria/Iraq.The Commons Library briefing,<a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8519/">Returning terrorist fighters</a>(March 2019) has more on policy debates on how to deal with returning fighters and terrorists.The numbers of UK children taken to Syria and Iraq remains unknown. The Government has undertaken to facilitate their return where feasible, and subject to national security concerns.<a href="#bookmark124">100</a>It hopes that those who have supported Islamic State will be prosecuted in the region.<a href="#bookmark125">101</a><img src="/media/202408//1724838609.79608.png" /><a id="bookmark119"></a><a id="bookmark118"></a>94 UN Security Council,<a href="https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/s/res/2178-%282014%29">S/RES/2178 (2014),</a> September 2014<a id="bookmark120"></a>95 UN,<a href="https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc13097.doc.htm">Greater cooperation needed to tackle danger [...],</a> 28 November 2017<a id="bookmark121"></a>96 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-47286935">How many IS foreign fighters are left in Iraq and Syria?,</a>BBC News; 20 February 201997 HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2019-02-18/debates/69E286BB-03A2-4467-AB65-B3059436CD53/UKNationalsReturningFromSyria">UK nationals returning from Syria, 18 February 2019,</a>c1193. This remained their estimate in <a id="bookmark122"></a>2021: PQ HL 4668 <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-12-03/HL4668">[Islamic State: British nationals abroad]</a>, 16 December 202198 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-47252164">Shamima Begun, How do countries deal with people returning from IS?,</a> BBC News, 15 February 2019; HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2018-06-11/debates/4DB29D1C-094F-4AC1-B2B6-4F13351A25A0/Counter-TerrorismAndBorderSecurityBill#contribution-F535B4BA-9421-4853-BF65-5F382F54AB6C">Counter-terrorism and border security bill, 11 June 2018,</a> c666; Home Office,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counter-terrorism-strategy-contest-2018">Counter-</a> <a id="bookmark123"></a><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counter-terrorism-strategy-contest-2018">terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 2018,</a> August 2018, p1899 HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-02-20/debates/4DEC2589-7212-48A0-8507-9D38C0DEC42A/DeprivationOfCitizenshipStatus#contribution-80BB1818-1407-43F4-9346-C8E22DC51BF8">Deprivation of citizenship status,</a> 20 February 2019, c1486<a id="bookmark124"></a>100 PQ HL9985 <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-11-04/HL9985">[Syria: Migrant camps]</a>, 16 November 2020<a id="bookmark125"></a>101 HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-03-04/debates/DC3BD59C-F7E3-41B3-885B-5932C6EDD817/Counter-DaeshUpdate#contribution-D456BF23-A9CE-4FA0-A681-904D0D7B77F7">4 March 2021,</a> c411<a id="bookmark15"></a>5 Further resources/readingTimelines•••US Institute for Peace,<a href="https://www.usip.org/syria-timeline-uprising-against-assad">Syria timeline: Since the uprising against Assad</a>Wilson Center,<a href="https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state">The rise, spread and fall of the Islamic State</a>Arms Control,<a href="https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Timeline-of-Syrian-Chemical-Weapons-Activity">Timeline of Syrian chemical weapons activity,</a> 2012-2022Regularly updated resourcesGeneral••••Council on Foreign Relations,<a href="https://www.cfr.org/middle-east-and-north-africa/syria">Syria</a>Council on Foreign Relations,<a href="https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-syria">Conflict in Syria</a> International Crisis Group,<a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/east-mediterranean-mena/syria">Crisis Watch: Syria</a> ACAPS,<a href="https://www.acaps.org/country/syria/crisis/conflict">Syria</a>Humanitarian/Human rights (including UK aid)• UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,<a href="https://www.unocha.org/syr%C4%B1a">Syrian Arab</a><a href="https://www.unocha.org/syr%C4%B1a">Republic</a>• UN Refugee Agency,<a href="https://reporting.unhcr.org/syria">Syrian Arab Republic.</a>• ACLED,<a href="https://acleddata.com/?s=syria">The state of Syria</a>• UN Human Rights Council,<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/iicisyria/pages/independentinternationalcommission.aspx">Independent International Commission for the</a> <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/iicisyria/pages/independentinternationalcommission.aspx">Syrian Arab Republic</a>• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,<a href="https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/countries/SY/projects">Development Tracker:</a> <a href="https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/countries/SY/projects">Syria.</a> List of current UK aid projects in Syria• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-syria-development-partnership-summary/uk-syria-development-partnership-summary-july-2023">UK-Syria development</a><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-syria-development-partnership-summary/uk-syria-development-partnership-summary-july-2023">	<s>i y page</s></a><img src="/media/202408//1724838609.885731.png" /><img src="/media/202408//1724838610.317674.png" /><s> </s> , July 2023. Sets out key UK objectives andMilitary activity by UK and United States• UK Ministry of Defence,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/update-air-strikes-against-daesh">Update: Air strikes against Daesh</a>• US Department of Defence Office of Inspector General<a href="https://www.dodig.mil/Reports/Lead-Inspector-General-Reports/">, Lead Inspector</a> <a href="https://www.dodig.mil/Reports/Lead-Inspector-General-Reports/">General reports on Operation Inherent Resolve</a>[US operations in Syriaand Iraq against Islamic State/Daesh]. Issues quarterly reports.Reports and reviews on SyriaUN and World Bank Reports• UN Economic and Social Commission for West Asia,<a href="https://www.unescwa.org/publications/syria-war-eight-years">Syria at war: Eight</a> <a href="https://www.unescwa.org/publications/syria-war-eight-years">years on,</a> 2020• UN Economic and Social Commission for West Asia,<a href="https://www.unescwa.org/publications/policy-gap-analysis-examination-policy-based-gaps-hindering-syrian-arab-republic%E2%80%99s">An examination of</a> <a href="https://www.unescwa.org/publications/policy-gap-analysis-examination-policy-based-gaps-hindering-syrian-arab-republic%E2%80%99s">the policy-based gaps in the Syrian Arab Republic’s peacebuilding</a> <a href="https://www.unescwa.org/publications/policy-gap-analysis-examination-policy-based-gaps-hindering-syrian-arab-republic%E2%80%99s">process,</a> 2020• World Bank,<a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/syria/publication/the-toll-of-war-the-economic-and-social-consequences-of-the-conflict-in-syria">The Toll of war: The economic and social consequences of</a> <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/syria/publication/the-toll-of-war-the-economic-and-social-consequences-of-the-conflict-in-syria">the conflict on Syria,</a> 2017UK Parliament reports on UK Syria policyDefence committee••••<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/defence-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/inquiry11/">UK military operations in Mosul and Raqqa inquiry,</a> 2018<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/inquiries1/parliament-2015/syria-policy/">UK policy on Syria inquiry,</a> 2017<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/defence-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/inquiry1/">UK military operations in Syria,</a> 2016<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/defence-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/situation-in-iraq-and-syria/">The situation in Iraq and Syria,</a> 2015Foreign Affairs committee• <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/inquiries1/parliament-2017/inquiry1/">Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK inquiry,</a> 2018House of Lords/Joint committees• Lords International Relations and Defence Committee,<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/power-in-middle-east/">Transformation of</a> <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/power-in-middle-east/">power in the Middle East and implications for UK policy inquiry,</a> May 2017• Commons/Lords Joint Committee on Human Rights,<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/uk-drone-policy-15-16/">Government’s policy</a> <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/human-rights-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/uk-drone-policy-15-16/">on use of drones for targeted killing,</a> 2015• House of Lords Constitution Committee,<a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/constitution-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/use-of-armed-force/">Constitutional arrangements for</a> <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/constitution-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/use-of-armed-force/">the use of armed force,</a> 2013Reports on Syrian refugees and UK aidCommons International Development Committee• <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmintdev/426/report.html">UK aid for refugee host countries,</a> May 2023• <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/international-development-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/humanitarian-situation-in-syria/">Humanitarian situation in Syria inquiry,</a> 2019• <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/international-development-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/follow-up-on-yemen-syria-israel-and-the-occupied-palestinian-territories/">Follow-up on Yemen, Syria, Israel and Occupied Territories inquiry,</a> 2019• <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/international-development-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/syrian-refugee-crisis-follow-up/">Syrian refugee crisis: Follow-up,</a> 2017• <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/international-development-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/inquiry-name/">Syrian refugee crisis,</a> 2016• <a href="https://old.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/international-development-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/syria-one-off-evidence/">The crisis in Syria,</a> 2013Other reports• National Audit Office,<a href="https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/managing-reductions-in-official-development-assistance-spending/#downloads">Managing reductions in ODA spending,</a> 2022• Independent Commission for Aid Impact,<a href="https://icai.independent.gov.uk/html-version/syria/">Report: The UK’s humanitarian</a> <a href="https://icai.independent.gov.uk/html-version/syria/">support to Syria,</a> 2018• Independent Commission for Aid Impact,<a href="https://icai.independent.gov.uk/review/uks-aid-response-irregular-migration-central-mediterranean/summary/">The UK’s aid response to</a> <a href="https://icai.independent.gov.uk/review/uks-aid-response-irregular-migration-central-mediterranean/summary/">irregular migration in the central Mediterranean,</a> 2017Parliamentary proceedings since 2020•••••••••HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-03-02/debates/22654F9E-3DB0-4570-930F-551E8EB87A4C/NorthAndEastSyriaAutonomousAdministration">North and east Syria: Autonomous Administration,</a> 2 February2023, cc989-998HL Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2023-03-06/debates/ABB808E1-7B1C-4B6A-9AB5-928EB5356229/TurkeyAndSyriaEarthquakes">Turkey and Syria earthquakes,</a> 6 March 2023, cc640-<a href="#bookmark126">7</a>HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-03-01/debates/EC807729-3334-4EAC-928F-73A06A04F595/TurkeyAndSyriaEarthquakes">Turkey and Syria earthquakes,</a> 1 March 2023, cc803-<a href="#bookmark127">13</a>HL Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2023-02-06/debates/F9D23E09-373F-49CB-9E9B-35FDB776ED13/TurkeyEarthquakeRelief">Turkey: Earthquake relief,</a> 6 February 2023, cc966-69HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-06-15/debates/963CE1ED-378E-4CB9-8D46-EC8DEF2964C7/GovernmentPolicyOnSyria">Government policy on Syria,</a> 15 June 2022, cc403-<a href="#bookmark128">8</a>HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2021-06-22/debates/C91437BD-55A8-4722-89D2-A7234219F558/SyrianRefugeesInJordanAndLebanon">Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon,</a> 22 June 2021,cc312-18WHHC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-11-03/debates/915133EC-13D7-4C1A-9543-D1741BEF8435/SyriaHumanitarianSituation">Syria: Humanitarian situation,</a> 3 November 2020, cc100-116WHHL Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2020-02-24/debates/568D6229-2731-4C8C-8E3C-792ADFF27203/Syria">Syria,</a> 24 February 2020, cc76-<a href="#bookmark129">9</a>HC Deb,<a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-02-24/debates/6DE70A6E-228D-47AE-9030-D3C1AF286C0F/SyriaSecuritySituation">Syria: Security situation,</a> 24 February 2020, cc23-35DisclaimerThe 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