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Essential question
Why have countries throughout history resorted to civil war?Thousands of civilians have fled their homes in the eastern part of Aleppo, where fighting has escalated as rebel groups try to hold off government forces attempting to take back that section of Syria’s largest city. The civil war in Syria has displaced millions and left the country in total upheaval as government forces fight various rebel groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. The remaining civilians in eastern Aleppo must contend with almost no access to food, water or hospitals amid relentless bombings. Aid organizations have repeatedly been denied entry to that part of the city, despite widespread civilian suffering. “So, once again, we join — like everybody else — let us get into eastern Aleppo. We can help the people there. Let us in,” said Bettina Luescher, spokesperson for the United Nations World Food Programme. Assad’s regime now has support from Russia’s air force and Shiite militias from Iran, Lebanon and Iraq. The rebel groups have controlled the eastern part of Aleppo since 2012, but the government and its allies have been gradually chipping away in recent weeks. United States Secretary of State John Kerry has attempted to negotiate a ceasefire between the opposing sides, but many in the U.S. suspect that Russia would rather finalize the re-taking of Aleppo before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Key terms
rebel – a person who opposes or takes up arms against a government or ruler ceasefire – a truce or suspension of active hostilitiesWarm up questions ( before watching the video)
- What is a civil war?
- In what part of the world is Syria located?
- What do you know about the conflict in Syria?
- Can you think of other examples in history in which people have risen up against their government?
Cr itical thinking questions ( after watching the video)
- What role has the United States played in the Syrian conflict? What has Russia’s role been?
- Why has it been so difficult to get aid to the people of Aleppo?
- What will it take for a ceasefire to take place in Syria?
