Syria

Hello friends this is my first article, I choose Syria to learn deeper. Why Syria?? It’s because of I’m curious about Bashar Al Assad, Homs  violence,  Hama massacre, why Russia n China vetoed UN proposed Security Council, and everything about war within Syria. The domino effect of Arabs spring has drawn Syria into the bloody crackdown on political protest, and this makes the involvement of the other countries in giving solution. Very interest conflict to discuss, isn’t it? But, before we discuss further the current upheaval in Syria, better for us knowing past enchanting history of this country.

Short history

Syria (Indonesians  pronounce “Suriah”) is Western Asia country bordering Lebanon and Mediterranean Sea to the west,  Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. Most of Syrians are Sunny, the other are Alawi, Christian, and Druze. The most ancient civilization on the earth was founded here, Syria was the center of the Neolithic culture where agriculture and cattle breeding were introduced first time.

During the second millennium BC, Syria was occupied by Canaanites, Phoenicians, and Arameans successively. Then, The Persian authority spread until Southwest Asia including Syria. Syria's large and prosperous population made it was one of the most important of the Roman provinces, particularly during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. In its Christian era, Syrian had contributed Roman Emperors, they are Alexander Severus, Elagabalus, and Philip the Arab (Marcus Julius Philippus).

The Islamic era started at  AD 640, signed by conquest of Khalid Ibn al-Walid through led the Rashidun Army. In the midle of the 7th century, empire ruled by Umayyad Dynasty and the capital city located in Damascus.  We can take a good lesson of the high toleration of the religious congregation living at this time.

The golden era of this caliphate collapsed of its internal problem like totalitarianism, corruption, and also the movement of oppressed and miserable group.  When Abbasid Dynasty took control, the capital city was moved to Bagdad. Syrian mujahedeen born in crusade time, Syria also fought with Shia extremist called Assasins and engaged in the battle with Mongolian  which then defeated by Mamluks.

In 1921, Syria was occupied by French troops.  According to League Nation, this area was taken under French mandate. Insurgents against the occupation emerged conducted by Sultan Al Atrash in 1925 in Druze Mountain, in August fighting erupted in Damascus, Homs, and Hama. In 1940, Francein fell during WW II, and then Syria was controlled by Vichy France. Syria proclaimed its independent in 17 April 1946.

Government

Type: Republic under authoritarian military-dominate Arab socialist Baath Party regime since March 1963. The other source said Syria is totalitarian dictatorship, secular socialist with Islam as the majority religion. Branches of government:

a.      Executive : President, two vice president, prime minister, and council of minister (cabinet)

b.      Legislative: unicameral People's Council, no multiparty election.

c.        Judicial : Supreme Constitutional Court, the High Judicial Council, the Court of Cassation, and the Security Courts

Government branches are monitored by Baath Party, which the constitution vasts the power

Syria’s legislation based on Islamic jurisprudence and the judicial system consist of Islam, Ottoman, and French laws element.

The court has three levels: courts of first instance, courts of appeals, and the constitutional court, the highest tribunal.

Politic

The Arab Socialist Baath Party has dominant role in the leadership function and it provides broad power to president who is elected by referendum and reigns for 7 years. The President is the Secretary-General of the party, and the leader of the National Progressive Front governing coalition has authority to appoint ministers, to declare war and states of emergency, to issue laws (which, except in the case of emergency, require ratification by the People's Council), to declare amnesty, to amend the constitution, and to appoint civil servants and military personnel.

External conflict

1948 : Syria Involved in Arab-Israeli War, deterring the establishment of Israel State and the notable conflict is the seizure of Golan Height,  Syrian stronghold.

1956 : Syria support Egypt in Suez Crisis by merging of the two states, creating United Arab Republic until 28 September 1961.

1967 : Engaged in tragic "six days war" (5 June 1967 – 10 June 1967) with Israel.

1973 : Yom Kippur War

1976 : In Lebanese Civil War, Syria attempted to control Lebanon. Criminal cases like the political figures assassination of Rafik Hariri, Kamal Jumblat and Bachir Gemayel were donated by Syrian forces and intelligence. Many said that Syrian existence in Lebanon like occupation. Its presence in Lebanon ended in 2005 by troop’s withdrawal.

2004 : Adoption of the Syria Accountability Act by the House of Representatives International Relations committee as impact of US sanction to stop strong relationship with Hamas and Hezbollah, left Lebanon, to terminate Syria’s allegation of  WMDs, to stop Syria’s illegal oil importation from Iraq, to cease the illegal shipment of military item to anti-US forces in Iraq.

2008 : Open talk to Israel to discuss the fate of Golan Heights, the main obstacle of the both relation, now this area still under Israel state and there hasn’t been further solution.

Ok, friends.,, this is only short information about Syria as the preface knowing further events happen in Syria now. My next writing will talk about Syrian uprising recently., So, let’s discuss it!!!! ^^