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The Syrian civil war originated from the Syrian people's protests and demands for political reforms and greater freedoms, which were part of the broader Arab Spring movement. Arab spring was a series of protests and uprisings that took place in the Middle East and North Africa. However, the Syrian government responded with brutal force, leading to a full-scale armed conflict. This is an example of a political and social impact.

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The conflict in Syria has had implications for regional security. The rise of a group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has posed a significant threat to neighboring countries and the broader region. Their first movement took place in Iraq, they fought against the US army, but when the civil war in Syria started in 2011, the US army moved out, and ISIS saw this as a chance to expand the movement. This resulted in the Civil war turning into a war between multiple “rebel groups”. This is an example of a political and social impact because different groups are putting pressure on governments and there is a danger of terrorist attacks.

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https://www.unrefugees.org/news/syria-refugee-crisis-explained/

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/syria/#introduction https://www.cfr.org/article/syrias-civil-war

https://www.mercycorps.org/blog/quick-facts-syria-crisis

https://www.britannica.com/event/Syrian-Civil-War

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/25/are-europes-syrians-still-refugees/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1082077/deaths-of-migrants-in-the-mediterranean-sea/

https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoISyria/CoISyriaIndiscriminateBombardment12032015.pdf

https://www.visionofhumanity.org/the-economic-cost-of-conflict-in
syria/#:~:text=Since%20the%20start%20of%20the,product%20(GDP)%20in%202010.

https://www.oxfam.org/en/life-zaatari-largest-syrian-refugee-camp-world

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/25/are-europes-syrians-still-refugees/

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-The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 as a popular uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's government.
-The Syrian Civil War has caused one of the largest refugee crises in modern history. over 5.5 million Syrians have fled the country since the war began in 2011, while another 6.7 million remain internally displaced within Syria.
-Many Syrian refugees have sought shelter in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. These countries have struggled to accommodate the large influx of refugees, which has put a strain on their resources and infrastructure. In addition, many refugees have faced challenges in accessing basic services and employment, and have been exposed to exploitation and abuse.

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What caused civil war in Syria? Syria conflict explained

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Choice
-over 5.5 million Syrians have fled the country since the war began in 2011, while another 6.7 million remain internally displaced within Syria.
-They were forced to become refugees and protect their lives by fleeing their own country

Incentives
-escape violence and persecution
-lack of basic service such as healthcare, education, and sanitation

-find safety in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Cost and Benefits
Cost:
Explicit:
Shelter- People have to leave their properties and houses for the sake of their own safety
Education- many children are leaving to places where they are not able to receive quality education
Wealth- Properties are left behind when fleeing the country for safety
employment and livelihood- jobs and social status

Implicit:
Friends and family-Leaving to refugee camps mean that you will need to leave behind members of family and friends if they did not make the same choice.

Position in society- Due to the loss of jobs and property,  people would need to start from 0, since no matter how successful you were, coming to the new country, you are just a refugee

security concerns- it is inevitable that there will be concerns regarding safety because of the war.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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Syria has been grappling with the most severe economic crisis in its history, leading to heightened levels of food insecurity and a rapid surge in prices for essential goods. The country's agricultural sector has been greatly affected, with a decrease of 30% in cultivated land and 50% in irrigated land. As a result, the food supply has plummeted by 40% compared to previous estimates. Additionally, fuel prices have escalated, once-subsidized seeds and animal-agricultural feeds have become more expensive, labor costs have risen, and shortages have occurred, leading to broken supply chains and collapsed economies.

-       The deterioration in agricultural production has pushed numerous families into poverty and harsh living conditions. The northern region of Syria has also faced water shortages, exacerbating the already dire situation by causing devastating drought conditions. The economic impact of the conflict has been substantial, with Syria suffering a total loss of 324.5 billion dollars in damages to infrastructure. The war's onset has triggered widespread unemployment, inflation, rising prices, droughts, and food shortages, further compounding the economic challenges faced by the Syrian population. Consequently, many civilians have been compelled to flee the country, seeking safety and opportunities in neighboring countries.
-       The Syrian government has lost control over significant parts of the country, which are now controlled by various opposition groups and Kurdish militias. The rise of these groups has led to the emergence of new political actors and power centres. (political)
-       Over 13 million people have been affected by the conflict, with over 6 million people displaced within Syria and over 5 million people fleeing to neighbouring countries. The majority of refugees have sought shelter in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, while others have fled to Egypt and Iraq. (United Nations) (Demographic)

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-The use of chemical weapons and other hazardous materials during the conflict has also had a significant impact on the environment. Assad launched attacks with the malicious use of chemical weapons, which not only destroyed numerous social communities in Syria but also, to a very great extent, permanently eradicated the natural landscape and living conditions. The use of explosives and heavy weaponry has caused extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and natural habitats, while the use of chemical weapons has resulted in the contamination of soil and water sources. By releasing toxins into the region, the land cannot be fertile for a pervasive amount of time, and the usage of chemical weapons wipes out all living organisms and organic life, significantly impacting the natural environment of Syria. For example, the destruction of water treatment facilities has led to raw sewage being released into rivers and other waterways, which has polluted the environment and affected the health of local populations.

-Since the war, the bombardments resulted a significant number of civilian causalities and mass displacement. The government’s use of force and military power has vastly destroyed homes, medical facilities, schools, water, electrical facilities, shops, as well as the essential community infrastructure. An example of this is the rather famous bombing of Aleppo, which happened between April to July 2016. A total of 36,000 buildings were destroyed. On average, four buildings per hectare were destroyed. A large fraction of these houses are living homes and therefore it was extremely devastating as people’s own shelters and properties were taken away from them in front of their eyes.

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-Led by President Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian government has been fighting against a range of opposition groups and rebel forces since the conflict began, including secular groups, Islamist groups, and Kurdish forces. people were furious at Assad’s control and fought back. In late January 2011, anti-government demonstrations began as part of the Arab Spring (MercyCorps). This was when the earliest signs of opposition were present. Two months later, the protest erupted on the 15th of March, classified as the “Day of Rage.” Political demonstrations, anti-Assad/government movements, and hatred were extreme. Assad separated and categorized the citizens/people into groups, mainly those who supported him and who opposed him; this was an act of cultural settlement activity as he guaranteed unequal rights and advantages to those specific groups that supported him and showed extreme persecution and violence to those who did not; they were also known as the “Syrian Free Army.” With the overwhelming power of Assad, civilians, those who fought against AND those who watched, had no choice but to flee the country for safety. 6.6 million Syrians fled, trying to escape Assad’s control and rule.

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Settlement Activity

-After the civil war crisis broke out, Syrians had no choice but to flee the country and seek asylum and protection in nearby countries. The Kilis refugee camp is a large refugee camp located in the city of Kilis, Turkey, near the Syrian border. It was established in 2012 to accommodate the large number of Syrian refugees who were fleeing the conflict in their country. The camp is one of the largest refugee camps in Turkey, and it is home to tens of thousands of refugees.

This shows a physical settlement activity as countless builds, infrastructure, and money had to be set up and spent to accommodate the large portion of refugees and to assist them to the very best ability.

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Environmental Impact

-       The compacted community and its high population within the camp have caused various sanitary issues and have filled the environment with trash and human waste disposals. The Kilis refugee camp produces a significant amount of waste, including food waste, plastic waste, and human waste.

-        Consequently, they consume a vast amount of water, supplies, food, reserves, and such; however, they do so in a negative and impactful way. Instead of adequate consumption, they deplete and overuse them. Excessive pressure on the environment, environmental pollution, and depletion of natural reserves are common impacts on the environment due to refugee activity and in refugee camps. For example, the use of firewood and other solid fuels for cooking and heating in the Kilis refugee camp can lead to air pollution, which can have negative impacts on the health of refugees and the environment.

-Another impact was the positioning of the refugee camp, which is on the border near Syria. This way, the fleeing Syrian refugees take the least time to get to these designated safe areas and camps, enabling them to have fewer risks and dangers during the travel/journey to get to these camps. (Geo)

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Cultural Impact

-      Turkey and Syria are two neighbouring countries with some similarities in terms of religion. Both Turkey and Syria have a rich Islamic heritage, with historical mosques, shrines, and other religious sites that are important to both Sunni and Alevi/Alawite communities, therefore making it easier to maintain religious traditions.

-        Efforts are made to ensure that all Syrian refugee children in the camp have access to education, regardless of their age, gender, or background.

-       There are restrictions on the refugees movement (political)

-       there are separate facilities and accommodations for women and children, and male members of families are generally not allowed to stay with them. (Demographic)

When refugee populations exceed the capacity of a camp, it can lead to a range of negative consequences, including increased risks of disease outbreaks, reduced access to basic services, and heightened levels of stress and tension among residents.(demographic)

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Costs and benefits
Cost

Explicit:

Financial burden- many refugees are unable to keep their wealth when fleeing because of the conflict, and therefore people had to leave things like money and properties behind for safety.

Strain on resources- Doing to refugee camps with a lot of other people means limited resources. People may face problems like not having

Education- children and young adults aren't able to receive an education in refugee camps

employment and livelihood- Entering a new country, they would need to start over again, including losing jobs, social status, and reputation

Implicit

Security concerns- there being tens of thousands of refugees, it is inevitable that there will be concerns regarding safety. Due to the fact that you are a refugee, your concerns are unlikely to be cared about.

Friends and family- Leaving to refugee camps mean that you will need to leave behind members of family and friends if they did not make the same choice.

Position in society- Entering a new country,  people would need to start from 0, since no matter how successful you were, coming to the new country, you are just a refugee

Benefits

Explicit

-Basic benefits for housing, heating, food, clothing, personal hygiene, healthcare and household items, benefits to afford personal daily requirements, benefits for vulnerable people such those that are sick and pregnant women and the benefits depend on individual cases and special circumstances are all given to the refugees.

Implicit

Cultural exchange- In the camps there will be other people with different cultures, and therefore it is a good opportunity to understand other cultures

Relief from the war and danger- Despite all the cons, traveling to the camp ensures the most important factor- safety. Refugees will be able to be released from the danger and war.

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Choice:
-Many Syrian refugees ultimately choose to resettle in Turkey, where they have permanently resided.

Incentive(s) -escape violence and persecution -lack of basic service such as healthcare, education, and sanitation

- two neighbouring countries with some similarities in terms of religion

Costs and benefits
Cost
Explicit:

Financial burden- many refugees are unable to keep their wealth when fleeing because of the conflict, and therefore people had to leave things like money and properties behind for safety.

Strain on resources- Doing to refugee camps with a lot of other people means limited resources. People may face problems like not having

Education- children and young adults aren't able to receive an education in refugee camps

employment and livelihood- Entering a new country, they would need to start over again, including losing jobs, social status, and reputation

Implicit

Security concerns- there being tens of thousands of refugees, it is inevitable that there will be concerns regarding safety. Due to the fact that you are a refugee, your concerns are unlikely to be cared about.

Friends and family- Leaving to refugee camps mean that you will need to leave behind members of family and friends if they did not make the same choice.

Position in society- Entering a new country,  people would need to start from 0, since no matter how successful you were, coming to the new country, you are just a refugee

Benefits

Explicit:

social assistance and adequate humanitarian aid, given legal resident status
new economic and social opportunities- able to participate in the workforce brings them hope and motivation for life
education- receive education where they can learn a variety of skills that will be useful for the future. With education, they are given hope and reassurance in turkey in the future.

Implicit:
Hope of having a future in a new place- The refugee's home country may be destroyed by the war, so the only hope for the future is starting a life somewhere new

Relief from the war and danger- Despite all the negatives, traveling to the camp ensures the most important factor- safety. Refugees will be able to be released from the danger and war.

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Cultural Impact
| -       Many Syrian refugees in Turkey face economic hardship, as they struggle to find work and support themselves and their families. While the Turkish government has made efforts to create employment opportunities for refugees, the lack of legal work permits makes it difficult for many to find stable, formal employment.
-       Syrian refugees come from a different cultural background than many Turkish citizens, which can lead to social and cultural tensions. This can be particularly challenging for children, who may struggle to adapt to a new school and make friends.

The large number of refugees in Turkey has raised concerns about security, particularly in areas close to the Syrian border. There have been reports of terrorist attacks by groups affiliated with ISIS and other extremist organizations, and concerns about the potential for radicalization of refugees.

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Settlement Activity
- Turkey has been one of the primary host countries for Syrian refugees due to its relatively open borders. Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey has received millions of Syrian refugees.
-       The Turkish government has taken steps to integrate refugees into the country's economy and society, offering them access to education and employment opportunities.

Turkey has also taken steps to formalize the legal status of Syrian refugees. The Temporary Protection Regulation, enacted in 2014, grants Syrians under temporary protection the right to stay in Turkey and access certain services. This regulation has provided some stability and legal protection for Syrian refugees living in Turkey.

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-       The cost of providing for such a large number of refugees has put a strain on the country's resources. For example, the increased demand for water by refugees in some areas has put pressure on local water resources, particularly in areas where water is already scarce.

Syrian refugees entering the country means the need to develop more residential areas. Therefore, more and more natural space will be consumed by Syrians, which leads to a decrease in natural environments. This is an environmental impact as the nearby environment gradually continues to be depleted and strained due to the general settlement of Syrian refugees.