In March 2011, a wave of protests began in Syria, initially fueled by the Arab Spring, which saw widespread demands for democratic reforms across the Arab world. In the southern city of Daraa, a group of teenagers were arrested for painting anti-government graffiti, leading to public outrage and protests. The citizens of Daraa mobilized, calling for their immediate release and demanding political reforms and greater freedoms in a country long ruled by President Bashar al-Assad. The protests spread rapidly to other cities, including Homs, Aleppo, and the capital, Damascus. Despite a request for reform from the protesters, the government responded with crackdowns, utilizing military force and arresting demonstrators, which heightened public discontent. The escalation included the use of live ammunition against protesters and widespread reports of torture and human rights abuses, which drew condemnation both domestically and internationally. As the conflict intensified, opposition groups began to form, and armed resistance emerged, marking the beginning of a protracted civil war that would last for years, causing immense humanitarian crises and regional instability.