This article is about the modern state of Syria. For other uses see Syria (disambiguation). Syrian Arab Republic Al-Jumhriyyah al-Arabiyyah as-Sriyyah Flag Coat of arms Anthem: Homat el Diyar Guardians of the Land Capital Damascus 3330N 3618E / 33.5N 36.3E / 33.5; 36.3 Largest city Aleppo1 Official language(s) Arabic1 Demonym Syrian Government Secular single-party state  -  President Bashar al-Assad  -  Prime Minister Adel Safar Independence  -  From France 17 April 1946  Area  -  Total 185180 km2 (88th) 71479 sq mi   -  Water (%) 1.1 Population  -  2011 estimate 224577632 (53rd)  -  Density 118.3/km2 (101st) 306.5/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2011 estimate  -  Total $105.238 billion3   -  Per capita $50433  GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate  -  Total $60.210 billion3   -  Per capita $29583  HDI (2010) 0.712 (medium)  Currency Syrian pound (SYP) Time zone EET (UTC+2)  -  Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3) Drives on the Right Internet TLD .sy . Calling code 9632 1 Arabic is the official language; spoken languages and varieties are: Syrian Arabic North Mesopotamian Arabic Kurmanji Kurdish Armenian Aramaic Circassian Turkish4 2 02 from Lebanon

Syria (/sri/ ( listen) si-ree-; Arabic: Sriyya or Sry; Syriac: ; Kurdish: Sr) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic: Al-Jumhriyyah al-Arabiyyah as-Sriyyah Arabic pronunciation (helpinfo)) is a country in Western Asia bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West Turkey to the north Iraq to the east Jordan to the south and Israel to the southwest.

The name Syria formerly comprised the entire region of the Levant while the modern state encompasses the site of several ancient kingdoms and empires including the Eblan civilization of the third millennium BC. In the Islamic era its capital city Damascus one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world5 was the seat of the Umayyad Caliphate and a provincial capital of the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt.

The population of Syria is 74% Sunni Muslim with a 13% Shia and Alawite Muslim population 10% Christian and 3% Druze. Since the 1960s Alawite military officers have tended to dominate the country's politics. Some 90% of the population is Muslim which includes Arabs Kurds Circassians and others while some 10% are Christians which includes Arabs Assyrians/Syriacs and Armenians. Ethnic minorities include Kurdish Assyrian/Syriac Armenian Turkmen and Circassian populations.6

The modern Syrian state was established as a French mandate and attained independence in April 1946 as a parliamentary republic. The post-independence period was tumultuous and a large number of military coups and coup attempts shook the country in the period 1949-1970. Syria was under Emergency Law from 19622011 effectively suspending most constitutional protections for citizens and its system of government is considered non-democratic.7 Bashar al-Assad is the current president and is preceded by his father Hafez al-Assad who was in office since 1971.8 Syria is currently facing mass protests as part of the Arab Spring. Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 2.1 Ebla civilization 2.2 Antiquity and early Christian era 2.3 Islamic era 2.4 Ottoman era 2.5 French Mandate 2.6 Independence instability and economic growth 2.7 Baath Party rule under Hafez al-Assad 19702000 2.8 Under Bashar al-Assad 2.9 2011 Syrian Uprising 3 Politics 3.1 Branches of government 3.2 Political parties 3.3 State control 4 Human rights 5 Administrative divisions 6 Geography 7 Territorial issues 7.1 Syrian-Turkish dispute over skenderun (Hatay) 7.2 Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights 8 Economy 8.1 Foreign trade 8.2 Transport 9 Demographics 9.1 Ethnic groups 9.2 Religion 9.3 Languages 10 Education 11 Military 12 Culture 12.1 Syrian cuisine 12.2 Sport in Syria 12.3 Music of Syria 12.4 Syrian literature 12.4.1 From early times to 1948 12.4.2 From 1948 to the present day 12.5 Fairs and festivals 13 See also 14 References 15 Footnotes 16 Further reading 17 External links Etymology Main article: Name of Syria

The name Syria is derived from the ancient Greek name for Syrians: Srioi or Sroi which the Greeks applied without distinction to the Assyrians.910 A number of modern scholars argued that the Greek word related to the cognate Assyria ultimately derived from the Akkadian Aur.11 Others believed that it was derived from Siryon the name that the Sidonians gave to Mount Hermon.12 However the discovery of the ineky inscription in 2000 seems to support the theory that the term Syria does indeed derive from Assyria which was in northern Mesopotamia rather than modrn Syria.

The area designated by the word has changed over time. Classically Syria lies at the eastern end of the Mediterranean between Egypt and Arabia to the south and Cilicia to the north stretching inland to include Mesopotamia and having an uncertain border to the northeast that Pliny the Elder describes as including from west to east Commagene Sophene and Adiabene.13

By Pliny's time however this larger Syria had been divided into a number of provinces under the Roman Empire (but politically independent from each other): Judaea later renamed Palaestina in AD 135 (the region corresponding to modern day Israel and Jordan) in the extreme southwest Phoenicia corresponding to Lebanon with Damascena to the inland side of Phoenicia Coele-Syria (or "Hollow Syria") south of the Eleutheris river and Mesopotamia.14 History Main article: History of Syria Female figurine Syria 5000 BC. Ancient Orient Museum.

Since approximately 10000 BC Syria was one of centers of Neolithic culture (PPNA) where agriculture and cattle breeding appeared for the first time in the world. The following Neolithic period (PPNB) is represented by rectangular houses of Mureybet culture. At the time of the pre-pottery Neolithic people used vessels made of stone gyps and burnt lime (Vaiselles blanches). Finds of obsidian tools from Anatolia are evidences of early trade relations. Cities of Hamoukar and Emar played an important role during the late Neolithic and Bronze Age.

Archaeologists have demonstrated that civilization in Syria was one of the most ancient on earth. Around the excavated city of Ebla in northern Syria an Italian mission led by Prof. Paolo Matthiae discovered in 1975 a great Semitic empire spread from the Red Sea north to Turkey and east to Mesopotamia from 2500 to 2400 BC Ebla appears to have been founded around 3000 BC and gradually built its empire through trade with the cities of Sumer and Akkad as well as with peoples to the northwest. Gifts from Pharaoh found during excavations confirm Ebla's contact with Egypt. Scholars believe the language of Ebla to be among the oldest known written Semitic languages. The Eblan civilization was likely conquered by Sargon of Akkad around 2260 BC; the city was restored as the nation of the Amorites a few centuries later and flourished through the early second millennium BC until conquered by the Hittites. During the second millennium BC Syria was occupied successively by Canaanites(Phoenicians) and Arameans as part of the general disruptions associated with the Sea Peoples; the Phoenicians settled along the coastline of these areas as well as in the west (Now Lebanon and the current Syrian coast) in the area already known for its cedars. Egyptians Sumerians Assyrians Babylonians and Hittites variously occupied the strategic ground of Syria during this period as it was a marchland between their various empires. Eventually the Persians took control of Syria as part of their general control of Southwest Asia; this control transferred to the Greeks after Alexander the Great's conquests and thence to the Romans and the Byzantines. In 83 BC Syria fell under the rule of Tigranes the Great; the King of Armenia. The Armenians maintained a rule of 13 years over Syria which was finally turned into a Roman Province in 64 BC. Ebla civilization Main articles: Ebla Eblaite language and Amorite 100 Syrian pound note with Philip the Arab Clay tablet from Ebla's archive Around the excavated city of Ebla near Idlib city in northern Syria discovered in 1975 a great Semitic empire spread from the Red Sea north to Turkey and east to Mesopotamia from 2500 to 2400 BC. Ebla appears to have been founded around 3000 BC and gradually built its empire through trade with the cities of Sumer and Akkad as well as with peoples to the northwest.15 Gifts from Pharaohs found during excavations confirm Ebla's contact with Egypt. Scholars believe the language of Ebla to be among the oldest known written Semitic languages designated as Paleo-Canaanite.15 However more recent classifications of the Eblaite language has shown that it was an East Semitic language closely related to the Akkadian language.16 The Eblan civilization was likely conquered by Sargon of Akkad around 2260 BC; the city was restored as the nation of the Amorites a few centuries later and flourished through the early second millennium BC until conquered by the Hittites.17 Antiquity and early Christian era Main articles: Phoenicia Canaan Aram Damascus Achaemenid Empire Seleucid Empire and Syria (Roman province) Roman theatre in Bosra Philippus Araps Roman Emperor. During the second millennium BC Syria was occupied successively by Canaanites Phoenicians and Arameans as part of the general disruptions and exchanges associated with the Sea Peoples. The Phoenicians settled along the coast of Northern Canaan (Lebanon) which was already known for its towering cedars. Egyptians Sumerians Assyrians Babylonians and Hittites variously occupied the strategic ground of Syria during this period; the land between their various empires being marsh.15 Eventually the Persians took Syria as part of their hegemony of Southwest Asia; this dominion was transferred to the Ancient Macedonians after Alexander the Great's conquests and the Seleucid Empire. The capital of this Empire (founded in 312 BC) was situated at Antioch part of historical Syria but just inside the Turkish border today. But the Seleucid Empire was essentially just one long slow period of decline and Pompey the Great captured Antioch in 64 BC turning Syria into a Roman province. Thus control of this region passed to the Romans and then the Byzantines.15 In the Roman Empire period the city of Antioch was the third largest city in the empire after Rome and Alexandria. With an estimated population of 500000 at its peak Antioch was one of the major centers of trade and industry in the ancient world. The population of Syria during the heyday of the empire was probably not exceeded again until the 19th century. Syria's large and prosperous population made Syria one of the most important of the Roman provinces particularly during the 2nd and 3rd centuries (AD).18 The Roman Emperor Alexander Severus who was emperor from 222 to 235 was Syrian. His cousin Elagabalus who was emperor from 218 to 222 was also Syrian and his family held hereditary rights to the high priesthood of the sun god El-Gabal at Emesa (modern Homs) in Syria. Another Roman emperor who was a Syrian was Philip the Arab (Marcus Julius Philippus) emperor from 244 to 249.18 Syria is significant in the history of Christianity; Saul of Tarsus was converted on the Road to Damascus thereafter being known as the Apostle Paul and emerged as a significant figure in the first organized Christian Church at Antioch in ancient Syria from which he left on many of his missionary journeys. (Acts 9:1-43 ) The desert city of Palmyra whose ruins are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site grew large in the Syrian desert in the 1st and 2nd centuries (A.D.). Islamic era Main articles: Umayyad Caliphate Abbasid Caliphate Ayyubid dynasty Zengid dynasty and Hamdanid dynasty Church of Saint Simeon Stylites is considered to be one of the oldest remaining churches in the world. The Umayyad Mosque courtyard Damascus. By AD 640 Syria was conquered by the Rashidun army led by Khalid ibn al-Walid resulting in the area's becoming part of the Islamic empire. In the mid-7th century the Umayyad dynasty then rulers of the empire placed the capital of the empire in Damascus. Syria was divided into four districts: Damascus Homs Palestine and Jordan. The Islamic empire stretched from Spain and Morocco to India and parts of Central Asia; thus Syria prospered economically being the capital of the empire. Early Ummayad rulers such as Abd al-Malik and Al-Walid I constructed several splendid palaces and mosques throughout Syria particularly in Damascus Aleppo and Homs. There was great toleration of Christians in this era and several held governmental posts. The country's power dramatically declined during later Ummayad rule; mainly due to the totalitarianism and corruption spread among the empire's leaderships conflict between its general staff and the successive revolutions by the oppressed and miserable groups. As one Ummayad chieftain responded to a question about the reasons of the decline of their empire: "Rather visiting what needed to be visited we were more interested in the pleasure and enjoyment of life; we oppressed our people until they gave up and sought relief from us ... we trusted our ministers who favoured their own interests and kept secrets from us and we unhurriedly rewarded our soldiers that we lost their obedience to our enemies."citation needed Ummayad dynasty was then overthrown by the Abbasid dynasty in 750 who moved the capital of empire to Baghdad. Arabic made official under Ummayad rule became the dominant language replacing Greek and Aramaic in the Abbasid era. In 887 the Egypt-based Tulunids annexed Syria from the Abbasids and were later replaced by the Hamdanids originating in Aleppo founded by Sayf al-Dawla.19 Sections of the coastline of Syria were briefly held by Frankish overlords during the Crusades of the 12th century and were known as the Crusader state of the Principality of Antioch. The area was also threatened by Shi'a extremists known as Assassins (Hassassin). In 1260 the Mongols arrived led by Hulegu with an army 100000 strong destroying cities and irrigation works. Aleppo fell in January 1260 and Damascus in March but then Hulegu needed to break off his attack to return to China to deal with a succession dispute. The command of the remaining Mongol troops was placed under Kitbuqa a Christian Mongol. A few months later the Mamluks arrived with an army from Egypt and defeated the Mongols in the Battle of Ain Jalut in Galilee. The Mamluk leader Baibars made his capitals in Cairo and Damascus linked by a mail service that traveled by both horses and carrier pigeons. When Baibars died his successor was overthrown and power was taken by a Turk named Qalawun. In the meantime an emir named Sunqur al-Ashqar had tried to declare himself ruler of Damascus but he was defeated by Qalawun on 21 June 1280 and fled to northern Syria. Citadel of Aleppo is considered to be one of the oldest and largest castles in the world. Al-Ashqar who had married a Mongol woman appealed for help from the Mongols and in 1281 they arrived with an army of 50000 Mongols and 30000 Armenian Georgian and Turkish auxiliaries along with Al-Ashqar's rebel force. The Mongols of the Ilkhanate took the city but Qalawun arrived with a Mamluk force persuaded Al-Ashqar to switch sides and join him and they fought against the Mongols on 29 October 1281 in the Second Battle of Homs a close battle that resulted in the death of the majority of the combatants but was finally won by the Mamluks.20 In 1400 Timur Lenk or Tamerlane invaded Syria sacked Aleppo and captured Damascus after defeating the Mamluk army. The city's inhabitants were massacred except for the artisans who were deported to Samarkand.2122 It was during the conquests of Timur that the indigenous Christian population of Syria began to suffer under greater persecutions. By the end of the 15th century the discovery of a sea route from Europe to the Far East ended the need for an overland trade route through Syria. Shattered by the Mongols Syria was easily absorbed into the Ottoman Empire from the 16th through 20th centuries and found itself largely apart from and ignored by world affairs. see also Ottoman Syria Ottoman era Main article: Ottoman Syria Two allied diplomats (Frenchman Franois Georges-Picot and Briton Mark Sykes) secretly agreed long before the end of the war how to split the Ottoman Empire into several zones of influence. With the end of World War I and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire as an ally of Germany plans by the Entente powers to dissolve this Ottoman territory could then begin. German troops in Aleppo summer of 1917. The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 set the fate of modern Southwest Asia for the coming century; providing France with the northern zone (Syria with later the upcoming Lebanon) and the United Kingdom with the southern one (Iraq and later after renegotiations in 1917 Palestine (then still including Jordan) - 'to secure daily transportation of troops from Haifa to Baghdad' - agreement n 7). The two territories were separated by only a straight border line from Jordan to Iran. But early discoveries of oil in the region of Mosul just before the end of the war led to yet another negotiation with France in 1918 to cede this region to 'Zone B' or the British zone of influence. The borders between the 'Zone A' and 'Zone B' have not changed from 1918 to this date. Since 1920 the two sides have been recognized internationally under mandate of the League of Nations by the two dominant countries: France and the United Kingdom.23 French Mandate Main article: French Mandate of Syria and Lebanon The States of the French Mandate In 1920 an independent Arab Kingdom of Syria was established under Faisal I of the Hashemite family who later became the King of Iraq. However his rule over Syria ended after only a few months following the clash between his Syrian Arab forces and regular French forces at the Battle of Maysalun. French troops occupied Syria later that year after the San Remo conference proposed that the League of Nations put Syria under a French mandate.24 In 1925 Sultan al-Atrash led a revolt that broke out in the Druze Mountain and spread to engulf the whole of Syria and parts of Lebanon. This is considered one of the most important revolutions against the French mandate as it encompassed the whole of Syria and witnessed fierce battles between rebel and French forces. On August 23 1925 Sultan Pasha al-Atrash officially declared revolution against France and soon fighting erupted in Damascus Homs and Hama. Al-Atrash won several battles against the French at the beginning of revolution notably the Battle of Al-Kabir on July 21 1925 the Battle of Al-Mazra'a on August 2 1925 and the battles of Salkhad Almsifarh and Suwayda. The inauguration of President Hashim al-Atassi in 1936 After rebel victories against the French France sent thousands of troops to Syria and Lebanon from Morocco and Senegal equipped with modern weapons; the rebels were lightly armed. This dramatically altered the results and allowed the French to regain many cities although resistance lasted until the spring of 1927. The French sentenced Sultan al-Atrash to death but he had escaped with the rebels to Transjordan and was eventually pardoned. He returned to Syria in 1937 after the signing of the Syrian-French Treaty. He was met with a huge public reception. Syria and France negotiated a treaty of independence in September 1936 and Hashim al-Atassi who was Prime Minister under King Faisal's brief reign was the first president to be elected under a new constitution effectively the first incarnation of the modern republic of Syria. However the treaty never came into force because the French Legislature refused to ratify it. With the fall of France in 1940 during World War II Syria came under the control of Vichy France until the British and Free French occupied the country in the Syria-Lebanon campaign in July 1941. Syria proclaimed its independence again in 1941 but it was not until 1 January 1944 that it was recognised as an independent republic. Continuing pressure from Syrian nationalist groups and British pressure forced the French to evacuate their troops in April 1946 leaving the country in the hands of a republican government that had been formed during the mandate.25 Independence instability and economic growth Although rapid economic development followed the declaration of independence Syrian politics from independence through the late 1960s were marked by upheaval. Between 1946 and 1956 Syria had 20 different cabinets and drafted four separate constitutions. In 1948 Syria was involved in the Arab-Israeli War aligning with the other local Arab nations who were attempting to prevent the establishment of Israel.26 The Syrian army was pressed out of most of the Palestine area but fortified their strongholds on the Golan Heights and managed to keep their old borders and some additional territory (this was converted into "supposed" demilitarized zones under UN supervision ; the status of these territories have proved a stumbling-block for Syrian-Israeli negotiations). It was during this period that many Syrian Jews who faced growing discrimination emigrated from the country as part of Jewish exodus from Arab countries. President Adib Shishakli The humiliating defeat suffered by the army was one of several trigger factors for the March 1949 Syrian coup d'tat by Col. Husni al-Za'im in what has been described as the first military overthrow of the Arab world26 since the start of the Second World War. This was soon followed by another overthrow by Col. Sami al-Hinnawi who was himself quickly deposed by Col. Adib Shishakli all within the same year.26 After exercising influence behind the scenes for some time dominating the ravaged parliamentary scene Shishakli launched a second overthrow in 1951 entrenching his rule and eventually abolishing multipartyism altogether. Only when President Shishakli was himself overthrown in a 1954 overthrow was the parliamentary system restored but it was fundamentally undermined by continued political maneuvering supported by competing factions in the military.26 By this time civilian politics had been largely gutted of meaning and power was increasingly concentrated in the military and security establishment which had now proved itself to be the only force capable of seizing and perhaps keeping power.26 Parliamentary institutions remained weak and ineffectual dominated by competing parties representing the landowning elites and various Sunni urban notables while economy and politics were mismanaged and little done to better the role of Syria's peasant majority. That as well as the influence of Nasserism and other anti-colonial ideologies created fertile ground for various Arab nationalist Syrian nationalist and socialist movements who represented disaffected elements of society notably including the religious minorities and demanded radical reform.26 During the Suez Crisis of 1956 after the invasion of the Sinai Peninsula by Israeli troops and the intervention of British and French troops martial law was declared in Syria. The November 1956 attacks on Iraqi pipelines were in retaliation for Iraq's acceptance into the Baghdad Pact. In early 1957 Iraq advised Egypt and Syria against a conceivable takeover of Jordan.27 In November 1956 Syria signed a pact with the Soviet Union providing a foothold for Communist influence within the government in exchange for planes tanks and other military equipment being sent to Syria.26 With this increase in the strength of Syrian military technology worried Turkey as it seemed feasible that Syria might attempt to retake skenderun a matter of dispute between Syria and Turkey. On the other hand Syria and the Soviet Union accused Turkey of massing its troops at the Syrian border. During this standoff Communists gained more control over the Syrian government and military. Only heated debates in the United Nations (of which Syria was an original member) lessened the threat of war.28 Syria's political instability during the years after the 1954 overthow the parallelism of Syrian and Egyptian policies and the appeal of Egyptian President Gamal Abdal Nasser's leadership in the wake of the Suez crisis created support in Syria for union with Egypt.26 On 1 February 1958 Syrian President Shukri al-Quwatli and Nasser announced the merging of the two countries creating the United Arab Republic and all Syrian political parties as well as the Communists therein ceased overt activities.25 The union was not a success however.26 Following a military overthrow led by Abd al-Karim al-Nahlawi on 28 September 1961 Syria seceded reestablishing itself as the Syrian Arab Republic. Instability characterized the next 18 months with various overthrows culminating with 8 March 1963 coup resulting in installation by leftist Syrian Army officers of the National Council of the Revolutionary Command (NCRC) a group of military and civilian officials who assumed control of all executive and legislative authority. The takeover was engineered by members of the Arab Socialist Resurrection Party (Ba'ath Party) which had been active in Syria and other Arab countries since the late 1940s. The new cabinet was dominated by Ba'ath members.2526 The Baath takeover in Syria followed a Baath overthrow in Iraq the previous month. The new Syrian Government explored the possibility of federation with Egypt and with Baath-controlled Iraq.26 An agreement was concluded in Cairo on 17 April 1963 for a referendum on unity to be held in September 1963. However serious disagreements among the parties soon developed and the tripartite federation failed to materialize. Thereafter the Baath government in Syria and Iraq began to work for bilateral unity. These plans foundered in November 1963 when the Baath government in Iraq was overthrown. In May 1964 President Amin Hafiz of the NCRC promulgated a provisional constitution providing for a National Council of the Revolution (NCR) an appointed legislature composed of representatives of mass organizationslabour peasant and professional unionsa presidential council in which executive power was vested and a cabinet. On 23 February 1966 a group of army officers carried out a successful intra-party overthrow imprisoned President Hafiz dissolved the cabinet and the NCR abrogated the provisional constitution and designated a regionalist civilian Baath government on 1 March.26 The leaders of the overthrow described it as a "rectification" of Baath Party principles.26 We shall never call for nor accept peace. We shall only accept war. We have resolved to drench this land with your blood. To oust you aggressors to throw you into the sea.29 Hafez al-Assad then Syrian Defence Minister 24 May 1966 When Nasser closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Eilat-bound ships the Baath government supported the Egyptian leader and amassed troops in the strategic Golan Heights. Syria sponsored Palestinian raids into Israel30 and Syrian artillery repeatedly bombed Israeli civilian communities from positions on the Golan Heights31 Concerning the raids on Israel's territory Syria claimed that it could not be held responsible for the activities of El-Fatah and El-Asefa nor for the rise of Palestinian organizations.32 Conflicts also arose over different interpretations of the legal status of the Demilitarized Zone. Israel maintained that it had sovereign rights over the zone allowing the civilian use of farmland. Syria and the UN maintained that no party had sovereign rights over the zone.33 Israel was accused by Syria of cultivating lands in the Demilitarized Zone using armored tractors backed by Israel forces. Syria claimed that the situation was the result of an Israeli aim to increase tension so as to justify large-scale aggression and to expand its occupation of the Demilitarized Zone by liquidating the rights of Arab cultivators.34 Conflict over the cultivation of disputed lands sparked into April 7 prewar aerial clashes between Israel and Syria.35 The Israeli defense minister Moshe Dayan said in a 1976 interview that Israel provoked more than 80% of the clashes with Syria.3637 After Israel launched a preemptive strike on Egypt to begin the June 1967 war Syria joined the battle against Israel as well. In the final days of the war after having captured the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt as well as the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem from Jordan Israel turned its attention to Syria capturing the entire Golan Heights in under 48 hours.38 Conflict developed between an extremist military wing and a more moderate civilian wing of the Baath Party. The 1970 retreat of Syrian forces sent to aid the PLO during the "Black September" hostilities with Jordan reflected this political disagreement within the ruling Baath leadership.39 By 13 November 1970 Minister of Defense Hafez al-Assad was solidly established as the strongman of the government when he effected a bloodless military overthrow ("The Corrective Movement").40 Baath Party rule under Hafez al-Assad 19702000 See also: Baath Party Hafez al-Assad and 1970 Syrian Corrective Revolution Hafez al-Assad former president of Syria Upon assuming power Hafez al-Assad moved quickly to create an organizational infrastructure for his government and to consolidate control. The Provisional Regional Command of Assad's Arab Baath Socialist Party nominated a 173-member legislature the People's Council in which the Baath Party took 87 seats. The remaining seats were divided among "popular organizations" and other minor parties. In March 1971 the party held its regional congress and elected a new 21-member Regional Command headed by Assad. In the same month a national referendum was held to confirm Assad as President for a 7-year term. In March 1972 to broaden the base of his government Assad formed the National Progressive Front a coalition of parties led by the Baath Party and elections were held to establish local councils in each of Syria's 14 governorates. In March 1973 a new Syrian constitution went into effect followed shortly thereafter by parliamentary elections for the People's Council the first such elections since 1962.25 The 1973 Constitution defines Syria officially as a secular socialist state with Islam recognised as majority religion. On 6 October 1973 Syria and Egypt began the Yom Kippur War by staging a surprise attack against Israeli forces returning the Syrian Golan Heights and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula. After early successes the Israeli military reversed the initial Syrian gains pushing the Syrian army out of the Golan and invaded into Syrian territory beyond the 1967 border. As a result Israel continued to occupy the Golan Heights as part of the Israeli-occupied territories.41 In early 1976 the Lebanese civil war was going poorly for the Maronite Christians. Following a request from the Maronite dominated Lebanese government with the approval of the Arab leaguecitation needed Syria sent 40000 troops into the country ostensibly to prevent them from being overrun but abruptly switched sides soon thereafter and became embroiled in the Lebanese Civil War beginning the 30 year Syrian military presence. Many crimes in Lebanon including the assassinations of Rafik Hariri Kamal Jumblat and Bachir Gemayel were attributed to the Syrian forces and intelligence services but these were never proven.42 Over the following 15 years of civil war Syria fought for control over Lebanon and attempted to undermine Israel in southern Lebanon through extensive use of proxy militias. Many saw the Syrian Army's presence in Lebanon as an occupation especially following the end of the civil war in 1990 after the Syrian-sponsored Taif Agreement. Syria then remained in Lebanon until 2005 exerting a heavy-handed influence over Lebanese politics that was deeply resented by many. Following the assassination of the popular former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri blamed on Syria pressure was put to bear on Syria to withdraw their forces from Lebanon. On April 26 2005 the bulk of the Syrian forces withdrew from Lebanon43 but some of its intelligence operatives remained drawing further international rebuke.44 About one million Syrian workers came into Lebanon after the war ended to find jobs in the reconstruction of the country.45 Syrian workers were preferred over Palestinian and Lebanese workers because they could be paid lower wages but some have argued that the Syrian government's encouragement of citizens entering its small and militarily dominated neighbor in search of work was in fact an attempt at Syrian colonization of Lebanon. Now the economies of Syria and Lebanon are completely interdependent. In 1994 under pressure from Damascus the Lebanese government controversially granted citizenship to over 200000 Syrian residents in the country.46 (For more on these issues see Demographics of Lebanon) The authoritarian government was not without its critics though open dissent was repressed. A serious challenge arose in the late 1970s however from fundamentalist Sunni Muslims who reject the basic values of the secular Baath program and object to rule by the Alawis whom they consider heretical. From 1976 until its suppression in 1982 the arch-conservative Muslim Brotherhood led an armed insurgency against the government. In response to an attempted uprising by the brotherhood in February 1982 the government crushed the fundamentalist opposition centered in the city of Hama leveling parts of the city with artillery fire and leaving between 10000 and 25000 people either dead or wounded mostly civilians (see Hama massacre). The Syrian government's actions at Hama have been described as possibly being "the single deadliest act by any Arab government against its own people in the modern Middle East".47 Since then public manifestations of anti-government activity have been limited.25 In 1982 Assad responded to an insurrection in the city of Hama by sending a paramilitary force to indiscriminately kill between 10000 and 20000 civilians including children women and the elderly.48 Syria's 1990 participation in the U.S.-led multinational coalition aligned against Saddam Hussein marked a dramatic watershed in Syria's relations both with other Arab states and with the Western world. Syria participated in the multilateral Southwest Asia Peace Conference in Madrid in October 1991 and during the 1990s engaged in direct face-to-face negotiations with Israel. These negotiations failed and there have been no further direct Syrian-Israeli talks since President Hafiz al-Assad's meeting with then President Bill Clinton in Geneva in March 2000.49 Under Bashar al-Assad See also: Bashar al-Assad Syrian president Bashar al-Assad (left) with Brazilian then-president Lula da Silva (right) 2010 Hafiz al-Assad died on 10 June 2000 after 30 years in power. Immediately following al-Assad's death the Parliament amended the constitution reducing the mandatory minimum age of the President from 40 to 34. This allowed his son Bashar al-Assad to become legally eligible for nomination by the ruling Baath party. On 10 July 2000 Bashar al-Assad was elected President by referendum in which he ran unopposed garnering 97.29% of the vote according to Syrian Government statistics.25 Although Bashar al-Assad said he would reform the reforms have been limited to some market reforms.84850 The summer of 2000 saw the birth of Damascus Spring. Pro-democracy activists mobilized around a number of political demands expressed in the "Manifesto of the 99". However by autumn 2001 the authorities had suppressed the movement imprisoning some of the leading intellectuals. Although it lasted for a short period (6 months) it saw intensive political discussions and social debates. It still echoes during the political cultural and intellectual debates in Syria today. Over the years the authorities have tightened Internet censorship with laws such as forcing Internet cafes to record all the comments users post on chat forums.51 While the authorities have relaxed rules so that radio channels can now play Western pop music websites such as Wikipedia Youtube Facebook and Amazon have been blocked.52 On 5 October 2003 Israel bombed a site near Damascus charging it was a terrorist training facility for members of Islamic Jihad. The raid was in retaliation for the bombing of a restaurant in the Israeli town of Haifa that killed 19. Islamic Jihad said the camp was not in use; Syria said the attack was on a civilian area.53 The United States moved closer to imposing sanctions on Syria following the adoption of the Syria Accountability Act by the House of Representatives International Relations committee.54 Hamas Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah all included in what the EU and the U.S view as terrorist groups all take refuge and enjoy strong relationships with the Syrian government. Following 2004 Al-Qamishli riots the Syrian Kurds protested in Brussels Geneva in Germany at the US and UK embassies and in Turkey. The protesters pledged against violence in north-east Syria starting Friday 12 March 2004 and reportedly extending over the weekend resulting in several deaths according to reports. The Kurds allege the Syrian government encouraged and armed the attackers. Signs of rioting were seen in the towns of Qameshli and Hassakeh.55 In 2005 under heavy international pressure Syria withdrew 14000 troops and intelligence agents out of Lebanon.56 The authorities maintain close ties to Iran. On September 6 2007 Israeli jet fighters carried out Operation Orchard against a suspected a nuclear reactor under construction by North Korean technicians.57 In April 2008 President Assad told a Qatari newspaper that Syria and Israel had been discussing a peace treaty for a year with Turkey acting as a mediator. This was confirmed in May 2008 by a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The status of the Golan Heights a major obstacle to a peace treaty is being discussed. President Assad was quoted in The Guardian as blaming the United States.58 2011 Syrian Uprising Main article: 2011 Syrian uprising Protests in Syria started on 26 January and were influenced by other protests in the region; on the same day one case of self-immolation was reported. Protesters have been calling for political reforms and the reinstatement of civil rights as well as an end to the state of emergency which has been in place since 1963.59 One attempt at a "day of rage" was set for 45 February though it ended up uneventful.6061 On March 15 demonstrations took place in many cities across Syria. Thousands of protestors gathered in al-Hasakah Aleppo Damascus Daraa Deir ez-Zor and Hama.62636465 Recently released politician Suhair Atassi became an unofficial spokesperson for the "Syrian revolution"66676869 Atassi paid tribute to "the Syrian people who took the initiative ahead of the opposition" recalling the popular uprisings that shook Tunisia and Egypt. After the first day of the protests there were reports of approximately 3000 arrests and a few "martyrs" but there are no official figures on the number of deaths.70 On 16 March Syrian authorities forcibly dispersed a demonstration in front of the Syrian Interior Ministry. al-Arabiya reported that protesters were a mix of activists and jurists writers journalists young academics and family members to people detained in Syrian prisons.717273 The security forces arrested a number of protestors Al Jazeera reported 2574 while Al Arabiya said 3275 including activist and lawyer Suhair Atassi and Kamal Cheikho an activist who had been released two days earlier.767778 Mohamed al-Ali a spokesman for the Syrian Interior authority denied that any demonstrations have happened in Syria and that the Facebook campaign has been proved unsuccessful. According to the spokesperson the "claimed protests" consisted of a few people who were "hiding" among the already packed souq (i.e. market) and tried to make it look like a demonstration.79 In another statement he went further by saying that the demonstration that took place outside the Interior authority was actually in support of President Bashar al-Assad.80 On 18 March thousands of protesters in several Syrian cities took to the streets after the Friday prayers and chanted "God Syria Freedom that is enough" challenging the classical pro-regime slogan "God Syria Bashar that is enough". In Damascus security forces broke into the Omayyad Mosque and violently attacked protesters. Several people were injured and several others were arrested. In the southern city of Daraa people chanted against Rami Makhlouf the cousin of the Syrian president. The regime replied by sending helicopters and water cannons to confront the protesters. At least three people were killed by security forces.81 On 22 March as a result of the protests the Governor of Daraa was fired82 but this did not satisfy the protesters. Demonstrations increased and on 24 March it was reported that more than a hundred had been killed.83 in marches at Daraa that exceeded 20000. On 29 March the entire Syrian cabinet was asked to resign by the president.84 Adel Safar was named the new prime minister and his new cabinet was sworn into office on 14 April 2011. The Emergency Law was rescinded on 21 April 2011. Since 25 April city of Deraa is under a siege by Syrian army communication and electricity is down in the city essential food supply is not allowed to be brought inside Deraa.citation needed It is believedby whom that hundreds have been killed by government forces specifically by the brigade led by Maher Al-Assad. The cities of Baniyas and Homs have also fallen under siege by government forces. Army tanks have begun heavy shelling of residential areas. Deaths and mass imprisonment of local youths have been reported.citation needed On May 18 2011 United States president Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and six other senior Syrian officials as a response to Syria's bloody crackdown on political protests. Additional sanctions were imposed by the Treasury Department against Syrian and Iranian intelligence services and commanders.85 As a result of the violent crack down and the forced detainment of thousands of protesters an increasing number of refugees are trying to escape to Turkey which is planning to build a second refugee camp in the border town of Yayladagi. At the same time the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Syrian authorities to stop the assault on its own people.86 Politics Syria This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Syria Constitution Constitution Human rights Executive President Bashar al-Assad Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa Najah al-Attar Prime Minister Adel Safar Cabinet Legislature Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash Judiciary Court system High Judicial Council Supreme Constitutional Court Divisions Governorates Districts Elections General elections 2007 pres. 2007 parl. Political parties National Progressive Front Ba'ath Party 2011 Syrian protests Foreign policy Foreign relations ArabIsraeli conflict Other countries  Atlas Politics portal view talk Main article: Politics of Syria Syria is formally a republic. The Constitution of Syria was adopted 13 March 1971.87 It defines Syria as a secular socialist state with Islam recognised as the majority religion. Branches of government The executive branch consists of the president two vice presidents the prime minister and the Council of Ministers (cabinet). The constitution requires the president to be a Muslim87 but does not make Islam the state religion. The constitution gives the president the right to appoint ministers to declare war and state 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.6 The president is approved by Syrian citizens in a referendum for a 7-year term.87 Syria's legislative branch is the unicameral People's Council. Syria does not hold multi-party elections for the legislature.6 Two thirds of the seats are automatically allocated to the ruling coalition.88 Syria's judicial branches include the Supreme Constitutional Court the High Judicial Council the Court of Cassation and the State Security Courts. Islamic jurisprudence is a main source of legislation and Syria's judicial system has elements of Ottoman French and Islamic laws. Syria has three levels of courts: courts of first instance courts of appeals and the constitutional court the highest tribunal. Religious courts handle questions of personal and family law.6 The Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) was abolished by President Bashar al-Assad by legislative decree No. 53 on 21 April 2011.89 Political parties Article 8 of the Syrian constitution states that "the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party leads the state and society." The President is the Secretary-General of the party and the leader of the National Progressive Front governing coalition. The minor parties in the coalition are the Arab Socialist Movement Arab Socialist Union Communist Party of Syria (Unified) Communist Party of Syria (Bakdash) Social Democratic Unionists Socialist Unionists Syrian Social Nationalist Party Democratic Socialist Unionist Party Arabic Democratic Unionist Party National Vow Movement. Outside of the coalition are 14 illegal Kurdish political parties.90 State control Nearly all of Syrias radio and television outlets are state owned and the Baath Party controls nearly all newspapers.91 The authorities operate several intelligence agencies92 among them Shu'bat al-Mukhabarat al-'Askariyya employing a large number of operatives.93 The Emergency Law effectively suspending most constitutional protections was in effect from 1963 until 21 April 2011.89 It was justified by the government in the light of the continuing war with Israel over the Golan Heights. Human rights Main article: Human rights in Syria Syria's human rights situation is among the worst in the world according to human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch.94 The authorities arrest democracy and human rights activists censor websites detain bloggers and impose travel bans. Arbitrary detention torture and disappearances are widespread.95 Although Syria's constitution guarantees gender equality critics say that personal statutes laws and the penal code discriminate against women and girls. Moreover it also grants leniency for so-called honor crimes.95 Administrative divisions Damascus Rif Dimashq Quneitra Daraa As-Suwayda Homs Tartus Latakia Hama Idlib Aleppo Ar-Raqqah Deir ez-Zor Al-Hasakah Main articles: Governorates of Syria and Districts of Syria Further information: List of cities in Syria Syria is divided into fourteen governorates or muhafazat (singular: muhafazah). The governorates are divided into a total of sixty-one districts or manatiq (singular mintaqah) which are further divided into sub-districts or nawahi (singular nahiya). A governor whose appointment is proposed by the minister of the interior approved by the cabinet and announced by executive decree heads each governorate. The governor is assisted by an elected provincial council. Most of the Quneitra Governorate has been unilaterally annexed by Israel as the Golan Heights territory. Damascus is the capital city of Syria. Aleppo in northern Syria is the largest city1 of Syria and also a major industrial urban and cultural center. Aleppo's old town has been designated by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Latakia (population 554000) along with Tartus are Syria's main ports on the Mediterranean sea. Other major cities include Hama (population 696863) in central Syria Homs (population 1033000) in the south of Hama and Deir ez-Zor (population 230000) on the Euphrates river in eastern Syria. Geography Main article: Geography of Syria Burj Islam a well known beach just north of Latakia. Syria lies between latitudes 32 and 38 N and longitudes 35 and 43 E. It consists mostly of arid plateau although the northwest part of the country bordering the Mediterranean is fairly green. The Northeast of the country "Al Jazira" and the South "Hawran" are important agricultural areas.96 The Euphrates Syria's most important river crosses the country in the east. It is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of civilization".97 The climate in Syria is dry and hot and winters are mild. Because of the country's elevation snowfall does occasionally occur during winter.96 Petroleum in commercial quantities was first discovered in the northeast in 1956. The most important oil fields are those of Suwaydiyah Qaratshui Rumayian and Tayyem near Dayr azZawr. The fields are a natural extension of the Iraqi fields of Mosul and Kirkuk. Petroleum became Syria's leading natural resource and chief export after 1974. Natural gas was discovered at the field of Jbessa in 1940.25 Territorial issues Syrian-Turkish dispute over skenderun (Hatay) Protests in Damascus by women demonstrators against Turkey's annexation of the Sanjak of Alexanderetta (today's Hatay) in 1939. One of the signs reads: "Our blood is sacrificed for the Syrian Arab Sanjak." Main articles: Hatay State and Hatay Province There is a deep rooted disagreement between Turkey and Syria over Hatay Province. At present Syrians hold the view that this land is historically Syrian and was illegally ceded in the late 1930s to Turkey by France - the mandatory occupying power of Syria (between 1920 and 1946). The Turks remember Syria as a former Ottoman Turkish vilayet with embitterment. In 1938 the Turkish military went into the Syrian province and expelled most of its Arab and Armenian inhabitants.98 Before this Alawi Arabs and Armenians were the majority of the provinces population.98 For the referendum Turkey crossed tens of thousands of Turks into Alexandretta to vote.99 In 1938 the province declared its independence from France and the following 29 June the parliament of the newly declared Hatay Republic voted to join Turkey. This referendum has been labeled both "phoney" and "rigged" and that it was a way for the French to let Turks take over the area hoping that they would turn on Hitler.98100 The Syrian government recognized this decision in 2004 and gave up on territorial claims. Syrians still consider this land as integral Syrian territory. Syrians call this land Liwaaa aliskenderuna rather than the Turkish name of Hatay. Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights Main article: Golan Heights See also: Syrian towns and villages depopulated in the Arab-Israeli conflict Syrian families evacuating the Golan Heights after the Israeli occupation during the Arab-Israeli War of 1967. The Golan Heights is a strategic plateau and mountainous region in southwestern Syria and Israel. Two-thirds of the area is currently occupied by Israel. It comprises 1850 square kilometres (714 sq mi) and includes mountains reaching an altitude of 2880 metres (9449 ft) above sea level. The heights dominate the plains below. The Jordan River Lake Tiberias and the Hula Valley border the region on the west. To the east is the Raqqad Valley and the south is Yarmok River and valley. The northern boundary of the region is the mountain Jabal al-Sheikh (Mount Hermon) one of the highest in Southwest Asia. An agreement to establish a demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria was signed on 20 July 1949101 but border clashes continued. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. Between 80000 and 109000 of the inhabitants fled mostly Druze and Circassians.102103 In 1973 Syria tried to regain control of the Golan Heights in a surprise attack on Yom Kippur the holiest day of the Jewish year. Despite initial Syrian advances and heavy Israeli losses the Golan Heights remained in Israeli hands after a successful Israeli counter attack. Syria and Israel signed an armistice agreement in 1974 and a United Nations observer force was stationed there. Israel unilaterally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981 although the Syrian government continues to demand the return of this territory possibly in the context of a peace treaty. In 1982 Druze in the Golan Heights started a strike against the annexation of the territory. The strike lasted for six months and as a result the Israeli army sealed off Druze villages allowing only those who wished to work in Israel to leave.104 Israel has given the Druze citizens in the Golan Heights an Israeli citizenship after the annexation of the Golan Heights.105 After the Six-Day War a population of 20000 Syrians remained in the Golan Heights most of them Druze. Since 2005 Israel has allowed Druze apple farmers in the Golan to sell their produce to Syria. In 2006 the export total reached 8000 tons of apples.106 Syrian residents of the Golan are also permitted to study at universities in Syria where they are entitled to free tuition books and lodging.107 Economy Main article: Economy of Syria Bank Al-Sharq and the Blue Tower Hotel in Damascus Syria is a middle-income country with an economy based on agriculture oil industry and tourism. However Syria's economy faces serious problems and challenges and impediments to growth including: a large and poorly performing public sector; declining rates of oil production; widening non-oil deficit; wide scale corruption; weak financial and capital markets; and high rates of unemployment tied to a high population growth rate.25 As a result of an inefficient and corrupt centrally planned economy Syria has low rates of investment and low levels of industrial and agricultural productivity. Its GDP growth rate was approximately 5% in 2009 according to CIA World Factbook statistics. The two main pillars of the Syrian economy have been agriculture and oil. Agriculture for instance accounts for 17.7% of GDP and employs 17% of the total labor force. The government hopes to attract new investment in the tourism natural gas and service sectors to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil and agriculture. The government has begun to institute economic reforms aimed at liberalizing most markets but reform thus far has been slow and ad hoc. For ideological reasons privatization of government enterprises is explicitly rejected. Therefore major sectors of the economy including refining ports operation air transportation power generation and water distribution remain firmly controlled by the government.25 Syria has produced heavy-grade oil from fields located in the northeast since the late 1960s. In the early 1980s light-grade low-sulphur oil was discovered near Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria. Syria's rate of oil production has been decreasing steadily from a peak close to 600000 barrels per day (95000 m3/d) (bpd) in 1995 down to approximately 425000 bbl/d (67600 m3/d) in 2005. Experts generally agree that Syria will become a net importer of petroleum not later than 2012. Syria exported roughly 200000 bbl/d (32000 m3/d) in 2005 and oil still accounts for a majority of the country's export income. Syria also produces 22 million cubic meters of gas per day with estimated reserves around 8.5 trillion cubic feet (240 km3). While the government has begun to work with international energy companies in the hopes of eventually becoming a gas exporter all gas currently produced is consumed domestically.25 Some basic commodities such as diesel continue to be heavily subsidized and social services are provided for nominal charges. The subsidies are becoming harder to sustain as the gap between consumption and production continues to increase. Syria has a population of approximately 22.2 million people and Syrian Government figures place the population growth rate at 2.45% with 75% of the population under the age of 35 and more than 40% under the age of 15. Approximately 200000 people enter the labor market every year. According to Syrian Government statistics. Government and public sector employees constitute over one quarter of the total labor force. Government officials acknowledge that the economy is not growing at a pace sufficient to create enough new jobs annually to match population growth. The UNDP announced in 2005 that 30% of the Syrian population lives in poverty and 11.4% live below the subsistence level.25 Foreign trade Given the policies adopted from the 1960s through the late 1980s which included nationalization of companies and private assets Syria failed to join an increasingly interconnected global economy. Syria withdrew from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1951 because of Israel's accession. It is not a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) although it submitted a request to begin the accession process in 2001. Syria is developing regional free trade agreements. As of 1 January 2005 the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) came into effect and customs duties were eliminated between Syria and all other members of GAFTA. In addition Syria has signed a free trade agreement with Turkey which came into force in January 2007 and initialed an Association Agreement with the European Union which has yet to be signed. Although Syria claims a recent boom in non-oil exports its trade numbers are notoriously inaccurate and out-of-date. Syria's main exports include crude oil refined products raw cotton clothing fruits and grains. The bulk of Syrian imports are raw materials essential for industry vehicles agricultural equipment and heavy machinery. Earnings from oil exports as well as remittances from Syrian workers are the government's most important sources of foreign exchange.25 Transport Main article: Transport in Syria Syria has three international airports (Damascus Aleppo and Lattakia) which serve as hubs for Syrian Air and are also served by a variety of foreign carriers.108 The majority of Syrian cargo is carried by Chemins de Fer Syriens (the Syrian railway company) which links up with Turkish State Railways (the Turkish counterpart). For a relatively under developed country Syria's railway infrastructure is of a high quality with many high speed services.109 Demographics Main article: Demographics of Syria Most people live in the Euphrates River valley and along the coastal plain a fertile strip between the coastal mountains and the desert. Overall population density in Syria is about 99 per km (258 per square mile). According to the World Refugee Survey 2008 published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Syria hosted a population of refugees and asylum seekers number approximately 1852300. The vast majority of this population was from Iraq (1300000) but sizeable populations from the former British Mandate of Palestine (543400) and Somalia (5200) also lived in the country.110 Education is free and compulsory from ages 6 to 12. Schooling consists of 6 years of primary education followed by a 3-year general or vocational training period and a 3-year academic or vocational program. The second 3-year period of academic training is required for university admission. Total enrollment at post-secondary schools is over 150000. The literacy rate of Syrians aged 15 and older is 90.7% for males and 82.2% for females.111112 Ethnic groups Syrians are an overall indigenous Levantine people closely related to their immediate neighbours like Lebanese people Palestinians and Jordanians.113114 While modern-day Syrians are commonly described as Arabs by virtue of their modern language and bonds to Arab culture and history they are in fact largely a blend of the various Aramaic speaking Syriac groups indigenous to the region along with groups of ethnic Greeks from the Byzantine era who were Arabized when Muslim Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula arrived and settled following the Arab expansion. Syrian Arabs together with some 400000 UNRWA Palestinian Arabs make up over 80% of the population.115 Druze number around 500000 and concentrate mainly in the southern area of Jabal al-Druze.116 Syria also hosts non-Arab ethnic minorities. The largest of these groups Kurds constitutes about 9% of the population or approximately 2 million people.117 Most Kurds reside in the northeastern corner of Syria and most speak the Kurmanji variant of the Kurdish language. The majority of Syrian Turkmen live in Aleppo Damascus and Latakia and number around 750000-1500000.118 The Assyrians/Syriacs are significant ethnic Christian minorities that mainly live in the north and northeast (al-Qamishli al-Hasakah) and number around 877000-1200000 in Syria. Assyrian people in particular retain eastern Aramaic as a spoken language.119 Although their numbers have been boosted by many Iraqi refugees since the Iraq War.120 Armenians number approximately 190000. Syria holds the 7th largest Armenian population in the world. In addition approximately 1300000 Iraqi refugees were estimated to live in Syria in 2007. Roughly 50 percent of these refugees were Sunni Arab Muslims 24 percent Shi'a Arab Muslim and 20 percent Assyrian Christian.110 During the Mandate years there was a significant French population many of whom left Syria after the end of French rule. As of 1987 approximately 100000 Circassians lived in Syria.121 The Americas have long been a destination for Christian Arab migration with Syrians arriving in some countries at least as early as the 19th century. The largest concentration of Syrians outside the Arab world is in Brazil which has millions of people of Arab ancestry.122 The majority of Arab Argentines are from either Lebanese or Syrian background.123 Religion Main article: Religion in Syria See also: Christianity in Syria Islam in Syria Syrian Jews and Freedom of religion in Syria Syria religion Religion Percent Shia Islam   13% Sunni Islam   74% Christianity   10% Druze   3% Muslim 87% (Sunnis account for 74% of the population124 while the remaining 13% are Shia (Alawite Twelvers and Ismailis combined)124 Druze 3%124 Christian 10%124 (majority Antiochian Orthodox other Christian include Greek Catholic Assyrian Church of the East Armenian Orthodox Protestants and other various denominations). Christians a sizable number (2.5 million) of which are also found among Syrian Palestinians are divided into several groups. Chalcedonian Antiochian Orthodox ("Greek Orthodox"; Arabic: ar-Rmu 'l-Uruks) make up 45% of the Christian population; the Catholics (Melkite Armenian Catholic Syriac Catholic Maronite Chaldean Catholic and Latin) make up 16%; the Syriac Orthodox Church 27% the Armenian Apostolic Church 8% Assyrian Church of the East and several smaller Christian denominations account the remainder. Many Christian monasteries also exist. Many Christian Syrians belong to a high socio-economic class.125 St Ananias Church in the Christian section of Bab Touma in Old Damascus Al-Nouri Mosque in Hama Umayyad Mosque in Damascus Khalid ibn Al-Walid Mosque in Hims Armenian Church in Kasab near Latakia Great Mosque of Aleppo Aleppo Monastery of Saint Moses the Abyssinian The Armenian Church of the Holy Mother of God (Aleppo) Ar-Rahman Mosque Aleppo A Greek Orthodox Church in Hama Saidnaya convent at night Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque in Damascus Languages Arabic is the official language and Syrian Arabic is most widely spoken. Kurdish (in its Kurmanji form) is widely spoken in the Kurdish regions of Syria. Many educated Syrians also speak English and French. Armenian and Turkish (South Azeri dialect) are spoken among the Armenian and Turkmen minorities. Before the advent of Arabic Aramaic was the lingua franca of the region and is still spoken among Arameans and Assyrians. Syriac is used as the liturgical language of various Syriac denominations. Most remarkably Western Neo-Aramaic is still spoken in the village of Maloula and two neighbouring villages 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Damascus. Education Main article: Education in Syria The strong educational system in Syria is based on the old French system. Education is free in all public schools and obligatory up to the 9th grade. Schools are divided into three levels: 1st to 4th grade: Basic Education Level I (Arabic: : ) 5th to 9th grade: Basic Education Level II (Arabic: : ) 10th to 12th grade: Secondary Education (Arabic: ) the equivalent of high school. Final exams of the 9th grade are carried out nationally at the same time. The result of these exams determines if the student goes to the "general" secondary schools or the technical secondary schools. Technical secondary schools include industrial and agricultural schools for male students crafts school for female students and commercial and computer science schools for both. At the beginning of the 11th grade those who go to "general" secondary school have to choose to continue their study in either the "literary branch" or the "scientific branch". The final exams of the 12th grade (the baccalaureate) are also carried out nationally and at the same time. The result of these exams determines the university college and specialization that the student attends. To do that the student has to apply through a complicated system called Mufadalah. Colleges charge modest fees ($1020 a year) if the student achieves the sufficient marks in his Baccalaureate exams. If not the student may opt to pay higher fees ($15004000) to enroll. There are some private schools and colleges but their fees are much higher. Most universities in Syria follow the French model of higher education the university stages and the academic degrees are: First stage: the Licence awarded after 4 years to 6 years depending on the field. Second stage: the DEA or DESS 12 years postgraduate degree equivalent to the Master's degree in the American/English systems. Third stage: the doctorat 35 years after the DEA or an equivalent degree. Since 1967 all schools colleges and universities have been under close government supervision by the Baath Party.126 There are 5 state universities in Syria and 11 private universities.127 The top two are University of Damascus (180000 students)128 and University of Aleppo.129 One school is a joint Syrian-European program; the Higher Institute of Business Administration (HIBA) offer undergraduate and gradudate degrees.130 Military Syrian soldier wearing a Soviet-made Model ShMS nuclear-biological-chemical warfare mask aims an AK-47 assault rifle Main article: Military of Syria The President of Syria is commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces comprising some 400000 troops upon mobilization. The military is a conscripted force; males serve in the military upon reaching the age of 18.131 The obligatory military service period is being decreased over time in 2005 from two and a half years to two years in 2008 to 21 months and in 2011 to year and a half.132 About 20000 Syrian soldiers were deployed in Lebanon until April 27 2005 when the last of Syria's troops left the country after three decades.131 The breakup of the Soviet Union long the principal source of training material and credit for the Syrian forces may have slowed Syria's ability to acquire modern military equipment. It has an arsenal of surface-to-surface missiles. In the early 1990s Scud-C missiles with a 500-kilometer range were procured from North Korea and Scud-D with a range of up to 700 kilometers is allegedly being developed by Syria with the help of North Korea and Iran according to Zisser.133 Syria received significant financial aid from Persian Gulf Arab states as a result of its participation in the Persian Gulf War with a sizable portion of these funds earmarked for military spending. Culture See also: Public holidays in Syria Eggelin Tomb Tower in Palmyra The scribes of the city of Ugarit (modern Ras Shamra) created a cuneiform alphabet in the 14th century BCE. The alphabet was written in the familiar order we use today.134 Archaeologists have discovered extensive writings and evidence of a culture rivaling those of Mesopotamia and Egypt in and around the ancient city of Ebla (modern Tell Mardikh).135 Later Syrian scholars and artists contributed to Hellenistic and Roman thought and culture. Cicero was a pupil of Antiochus of Ascalon136 at Athens; and the writings of Posidonius of Apamea137 influenced Livy and Plutarch. Philip Hitti claimed "the scholars consider Syria as the teacher for the human characteristics" and Andrea Parrot the French archaeologist and main discoverer and excavator of the Mari State writes "each civilized person in the world should admit that he has two home countries: the one he was born in and Syria." Syria is a traditional society with a long cultural history.138 Importance is placed on family religion education and self discipline and respect. The Syrian's taste for the traditional arts is expressed in dances such as the al-Samah the Dabkeh in all their variations and the sword dance. Marriage ceremonies and the birth of children are occasions for the lively demonstration of folk customs.139 Traditional Houses of the Old Cities in Damascus Aleppo and the other Syrian cities are preserved and traditionally the living quarters are arranged around one or more courtyards typically with a fountain in the middle supplied by spring water and decorated with citrus trees grape vines and flowers.139 Outside of larger city areas such as Damascus Aleppo or Homs residential areas are often clustered in smaller villages. The buildings themselves are often quite old (perhaps a few hundred years old) passed down to family members over several generations. Residential construction of rough concrete and blockwork is usually unpainted and the palette of a Syrian village is therefore simple tones of grays and browns.140 Syrian painting circa 1300 Syrians have contributed to Arabic literature and music and have a proud tradition of oral and written poetry. Syrian writers many of whom immigrated to Egypt played a crucial role in the nahda or Arab literary and cultural revival of the 19th century. Prominent contemporary Syrian writers include among others Adonis Muhammad Maghout Haidar Haidar Ghada al-Samman Nizar Qabbani and Zakariyya Tamer. There was a private sector presence in the Syrian cinema industry until the end of the 1970s but private investment has since preferred the more lucrative television serial business. Syrian soap operas in a variety of styles (all melodramatic however) have considerable market penetration throughout the eastern Arab world.141 Although declining Syria's handicraft industry still employs thousands. Syrian cuisine Main article: Syrian cuisine Fattoush an example of Syrian cuisine The Syrian cuisine is rich and varied in its ingredients and is linked to the region of Syria where a specific dish has originated. Syrian food mostly consists of Southern Mediterranean Greek and Southwest Asian dishes. Some Syrian dishes also evolved from Turkish and French cooking. Dishes like shish kebab stuffed zucchini yabra' (stuffed grape leaves the word yapra' derves from the Turkish word 'yaprak' meaning leaf). The main dishes that form Syrian cuisine are kibbeh hummus tabbouleh fattoush labneh shawarma mujaddara shanklish pastrma sujuk and ba'lawa. Ba'lawa is made of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey. Syrians often serve selections of appetizers known as meze before the main course. za'atar minced beef and cheese manakish are popular hors d'uvres. The Arabic flatbread khubz is always eaten together with meze. Syrians are also well-known for their cheese. The very popular string cheese jibbneh mashallale is made of curd cheese and is pulled and twisted together. Syrians also make cookies to usually accompany their cheese called ka'ak. These are made of farina and other ingredients rolled out shaped into rings and baked. Another form of a similar cookie is to fill with crushed dates mixed with butter to accompany their jibbneh mashallale. Drinks in Syria vary depending on the time of the day and the occasion. Arabic coffee also known as Turkish coffee is the most well-known hot drink usually prepared in the morning at breakfast or in the evening. it is usually served for guests or after food. Arak an alcoholic drink is also a well-known beverage served mostly on special occasions. More examples of Syrian beverages include Ayran Jallab White coffee and a locally manufactured beer called Al Shark.142 Sport in Syria Popular Sports include: Football Basketball Swimming and Tennis. Syria is home to Al- Fayhaa Sports complex in the capital Damascus and the 5th and 7th Pan Arab Games were held in the Al- Fayhaa Sports stadium. Syria is also home to many Football clubs like for example Al-Jaish Al-Wahda and Al Majd in Damascus and Al-Horriya Al-Ittihad of Aleppo Jalaa Club and Ourubeh Club in Aleppo. The Aleppo International Stadium is home to the Syrian national football team which the team has enjoyed some success and the team has been to 4 Asian Cups. The team's first international was against Turkey on November 20 1949 and lost against Turkey 7-0. The team is currently ranked 94th in the world by FIFA World Rankings. Syria also has a Professional Football League for Syrian Football clubs and teams like teams from Damascus and Aleppo are playing in the 2009-2010 season. Music of Syria Main article: Music of Syria Amal al-Atrash was born in Aleppo and immigrated to Egypt. She was the only female voice in Arab music to rival that of Umm Kulthum143 Syria's capital Damascus has long been one of the Arab world's centers for cultural and artistic innovation especially in the field of classical Arab music. Syria has also produced several pan-Arab stars including Asmahan Farid al-Atrash and singer Lena Chamamyan. The city of Aleppo is known for its muwashshah a form of Andalous sung poetry popularized by Sabri Moudallal as well as popular stars like Sabah Fakhri. Also Syria was one of the earliest centers of Christian hymnody in a repertory known as Syrian chant which continues to be the liturgical music of some of the various Syrian Christians. There was formerly a distinctive tradition of Syrian Jewish religious music which still flourishes in the Syrian-Jewish community of New York: see The Weekly Maqam Baqashot and Pizmonim. Syrian literature Main article: Literature of Syria Syrian literature has been influenced by the literatures of other Arab countries by French literature and by the country's political history. From early times to 1948 Under Ottoman rule literary production was subjected to censorship. In the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th aspiring Syrian writers often chose emigration moving primarily to Egypt--where they contributed to al-Nahda the renaissance of Arabic literature--and to the United States developing Syrian literature from abroad. From 1918 to 1926 while Syria was under French rule French Romantic influences inspired Syrian authors many of whom turned away from the traditional models of Arabic poetry. From 1948 to the present day In 1948 the partitioning of neighbouring Palestine and the establishment of Israel brought about a new turning point in Syrian writing. Adab al-Iltizam the "literature of political commitment" deeply marked by social realism mostly replaced the romantic trend of the previous decades. Hanna Mina rejecting art for art's sake and confronting the social and political issues of his time was arguably the most prominent Syrian novellist of this era. Following the Six-Day War in 1967 Adab al-Naksa the "literature of defeat" grappled with the causes of the Arab defeat. Baath Party rule since the 1966 coup has brought about renewed censorship. As Hanadi Al-Samman puts it In the face of threats of persecution or imprisonment most of Syria's writers had to make a choice between living a life of artistic freedom in exile-as do Nizar Kabbani Ghada al-Samman Hamida Na'na' Salim Barakat and prominent poet critic and novelist 'Ali Ahmad Sa'id (Adonis)-or resorting to subversive modes of expression that seemingly comply with the demands of the authoritarian police state while undermining and questioning the legitimacy of its rule through subtle literary techniques and new genres. In this context the genre of the historical novel spearheaded by Nabil Sulayman Fawwaz Haddad Khyri al-Dhahabi and Nihad Siris is sometimes used as a means of expressing dissent critiquing the present through a depiction of the past. Syrian folk narrative as a subgenre of historical fiction is imbued with magical realism and is also used as a means of veiled criticism of the present. Salim Barakat a Syrian migr living in Sweden is one of the leading figures of the genre. Contemporary Syrian literature also encompasses science fiction and futuristic utopiae (Nuhad Sharif Talib Umran) which may also serve as media of dissent. Mohja Kahf has argued that literary dissent is typically expressed through the "poetics of Syrian silence": The nostalgic moist-eyed silences of Ulfat Idilbi's narrative could not be more different from the chilling cynical silences in Zakaria Tamer's stories. The impassioned lacunae in Nizar Kabbani's proclaim exactly what it is they are not saying explicitly while the poet Muhammad al-Maghut's silence is sardonic sneering both at the authorities and at himself at the futility and absurdity of the human situation under authoritarian rule. Fairs and festivals Krak des Chevaliers from the South-West Festival/Fair City Month Spring Festival of Hama Hama April Flower Festival Latakia April Assyrian New Year Festival Qamishli April Nowruz Persian New Year Festival Qamishli 21 March Traditional Festival Palmyra May International Flower Fair Damascus May Syrian Song Festival Aleppo July Marmarita Festival Homs August Festival of le Crac des Chevaliers and the Valley for Arts&Culture Homs August Vine Festival As Suwayda September Cotton Festival Aleppo September Damascus International Fair Damascus September Festival of Love and Peace Lattakia 212 August Bosra Festival Bosra September Film and Theatre Festival Damascus November Cultural Festival of Jableh Jableh July Jasmine Festival Damascus April See also Syria portal Corruption Perceptions Index Index of Syria-related articles Outline of Syria References Boczek Boleslaw Adam (2006). International Law: A Dictionary. Scarecrow Press. 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Retrieved 2011-03-24.  "Syrian cabinet resigns as regime seeks to calm protests". The Guardian (London). 29 March 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/29/syrian-cabinet-resigns-bashar-assad.  "U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Syrian Leader and 6 Aides" The New York Times accessed May 18 2011 Syrian Refugees Flooding Into Turkey NYTimes Global Edition June 9 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-08 a b c "Constitution of Syria". http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/sy00000.html. Retrieved 2008-10-22.  "Syria: Elections without Politics". Carnegie Endowment. http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfmfaview&id21265.  a b Decrees on Ending State of Emergency Abolishing SSSC Regulating Right to Peaceful Demonstration SANA 22 April 2011 "Syria clamps down on Kurd parties". BBC News. 2004-06-03. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middleeast/3774055.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-22.  "Freedom House report on Syria (2010)". Freedom House. http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/pfs/371.pdf.  "more than one dozen intelligence agencies" source: Wright Robin Dreams and shadows the Future of the Middle East Penguin Press 2008 p.214 hundreds of thousands of mukhabarat" according to dissident Riad Seif source: Wright Robin Dreams and shadows the Future of the Middle East Penguin Press 2008 p.230 "Syria among worst for rights abuses: HRW report". Reuters. 2011-01-24. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/24/us-syria-rights-idUSTRE70N5S620110124.  a b Human Rights Watch Anuual Report http://www.hrw.org/en/node/79303 a b National Council of Geography Teachers (U.S.) (1928). The Journal of Geography. The Journal of geography. p. 167.  F. A. Schaeffer Claude (2003). Syria and the Cradle of Civilization: The Findings of Claude F a Schaeffer in Ras Shamra. Trubner & Company. ISBN 1844531295.  a b c Jack Kalpakian (2004). Identity Conflict and Cooperation in International River Systems (Hardcover ed.). Ashgate Publishing. p. 130. ISBN 0754633381. http://books.google.com/idEmlX4Y7PMjgC&printsecfrontcover&dqIdentity+conflict+and+cooperation+in+international+river+systems#vonepage&q&ffalse.  Robert Fisk (2007). The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East (Paperback ed.). Vintage. p. 335. ISBN 1400075173. http://books.google.com/idSJHtAAAAMAAJ&q%22The+Turks+trucked+tens+of+thousands+of+people+into+the+sanjak+for+the+referendum+and+naturally+the+%22people%22+voted+to+be+part+of+Turkey.%22&dq%22The+Turks+trucked+tens+of+thousands+of+people+into+the+sanjak+for+the+referendum+and+naturally+the+%22people%22+voted+to+be+part+of+Turkey.%22.  Robert Fisk (19 March 2007). "Robert Fisk: US power games in the Middle East". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-us-power-games-in-the-middle-east-440856.html. Retrieved 15 December 2010.  "The Avalon Project: Israeli-Syrian General Armistice Agreement July 20 1949". Yale.edu. http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/mideast/arm04.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-25.  Morris (2001) p. 327: "Another eighty to ninety thousand civilians fled or were driven from the Golan Heights." Report of the UN Secretary-General under GA res. 2252 (ES-V) and SC res. 237 (1967) p. 14: "The original population assumed to have been some 115000 according to Syrian sources and some 90000 according to Israel sources included 17000 Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA. At the time of the Special Representative's visit this entire population had left the area except for some 6000 Druses living in agricultural villages and for some 250 other civilians living mainly in the town of Kuneitra". Retrieved 2010-02-01. "Druzes of Israel and the Golan Heights - World Directory of Minorities". Faqs.org. http://www.faqs.org/minorities/Middle-East-and-North-Africa/Druzes-of-Israel-and-the-Golan-Heights.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.  "Regions and territories: The Golan Heights". 15 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-08-04. http://web.archive.org/web/20080804012456/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middleeast/countryprofiles/3393813.stm. Retrieved 2010-02-01.  "Syria to import Golan apples". BBC News. 7 February 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middleeast/4244333.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-25.  "Worldandnation: Golan families dream of reunion". Sptimes.com. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/02/18/Worldandnation/Golanfamiliesdream.shtml. Retrieved 2008-10-25.  "Syria travel guide - Wikitravel". Wikitravel.org. http://wikitravel.org/en/Syria#Getin. Retrieved 2008-10-25.  "How to travel by train from London to Syria Train travel in Syria". Seat61.com. http://www.seat61.com/Syria.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-25.  a b "World Refugee Survey 2008". U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. 2008-06-19. http://www.refugees.org/survey. dead link http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3580.htm September 8 2010 Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs "Syria's Education System - Report - June 2001" (PDF). http://www.impact-se.org/docs/reports/Syria/Syria2001ch1.pdf. Retrieved 2011-04-23.  Extensive Female-Mediated Gene Flow from Sub-Saharan Africa into Near Eastern Arab Populations. Phoenicians Online Extra @ National Geographic Magazine. "Syria". The World Factbook. 2007. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sy.html#People.  Danna Nissim (December 2003). The Druze in the Middle East: Their Faith Leadership Identity and Status. Brighton: Sussex Academic Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-1903900369. http://books.google.com/id2nCWIsyZJxUC&pgPA99&lpgPA99&dqdruze+population+lebanon&qdruze%20population%20lebanon.  "Syria - Kurds". Library of Congress Country Studies. http://countrystudies.us/syria/23.htm.  zkaya Abdi Noyan (2007). "Suriye Krtleri: Siyasi Etkisizlik ve Suriye Devletinin Politikalar" (PDF). Review of International Law and Politics. p. 112. http://www.usak.org.tr/dosyalar/dergi/IdZgitj2V2vbuyxGGkzJnS8yvQqpT5.pdf. Retrieved 10-09-2010.  "Turkey-Syria deal allows Syriacs to cross border for religious holidays". Todayszaman.com. 2008-04-26. http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetailgetNewsById.actionloaddetay&link140085. Retrieved 2011-04-23.  Iraqi Christian refugees pine for home but fear they face death. A Country Study: Syria. The Library of Congress. The Arabs of Brazil. Saudi Aramco World. Inmigracion sirio-libanesa en Argentina. a b c d "Syria - International Religious Freedom Report 2006". U.S. Department of State. 2006. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71432.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-28.  Forward Magazine Interview with Ignatius IV the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East March 2008dead link. "Syria - Education". Countrystudies.us. http://countrystudies.us/syria/37.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-25.  Forward Magazine Private Universities in Syria by Joshua Landis July 2007dead link. Forward Magazine Interview with President of Damascus University February 2008dead link. Forward Magazine Interview with President of Aleppo University May 2008dead link. Forward Magazine Interview with the Rector of HIBA March 2008dead link. a b Syria - Overview. Retrieved 2010-02-01. "Syria reduces compulsory military service by three months". Chinadaily.com.cn. 2011-03-20. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua/2011-03-20/content2068776.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.  "Syria's embrace of WMD" by Eyal Zisser Globe and Mail September 28 2004 (link leads only to abstract; purchase necessary for full article). Gordon Cyrus Herzl (1965). The Ancient Near East. W.W. Norton & Company Press. ISBN 0-393-00275-6.  An up-to-date account for the layman written by the head of the archaeological team that uncovered Ebla is Paolo Matthiae The Royal Archives of Ebla (Skira) 2007. Plutarch Cicero c. 4; Lucullus c. 4; Cicero Academica ii. 19. Posidoniusdead link Encyclopdia Britannica Eleventh Edition. Hopwood Derek (1988). Syria 1945-1986: Politics and Society. Routledge. ISBN 0044450397.  a b Salamandra Christa (2004). A New Old Damascus: Authenticity and Distinction in Urban Syria. Indiana University Press. p. 103. ISBN 0253217229.  Antoun Richard (1991). Syria: Society Culture and Polity. SUNY Press. ISBN 0791407136.  Salti Rasha (2006). Insights Into Syrian Cinema: Essays and Conversations with Contemporary Filmmakers. ArteEast. ISBN 1892494701.  "Damascus". RT. 2009-10-15. http://www.rte.ie/travel/2009/1015/damascus.html. Retrieved 26 November 2009.  Zuhur 2000 p. 85 Further reading Dawisha A. I. (1980). Syria and the Lebanese Crisis. ISBN 978-0312782030.  Paton L. B. (1981). The Early History of Syria and Palestine. ISBN 978-1113538222.  Maoz M.; A. Yaniv ed. (1986). Syria Under Assad. ISBN 978-0312782061.  Seale Patrick (1987). The Struggle for Syria. ISBN 978-0300039443.  Alfred Schlicht The role of foreign powers in the history of Lebanon ands Syria from 1799 to 1861. In: Journal of Asian History 14 (1980). 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