Explain sitch in Syria, like I'm 5

[AJL]

Okay, I'm not sure I completely know what's happening. There is a rebellion, yes? Assad is the baddy, correct? What the US's official statement on the situation? Why is Israel getting all antsy (other than it's kind of perpetually antsy)?

[2curlydogs]

So, as part of the Arab Spring, there was an uprising in Syria. The Syrian government's response was to basically go in and start killing people. Latest report from the UN puts the death total anywhere between 19,000-26,000 people and the number of displaced between 500,000 and 1 million. Also reports of massive civil rights violations, intentional targeting of civilians, soldiers who refused to fire on civilians being summarily executed, things like that.

So, basically, it's full on civil war.

Massive condemnation by the Arab League, US, EU, etc. etc. Russia, Iran and China have largely sided with the Syrian government. Russia has supplied arms, for example. Both Russia and China have been cockblocking UN resolutions for sanctions.

And it's escalating.

Israel's threatening to invade because that's what they do. They've stated that they fear Syrian's chemical weapons falling into the hands of Israel's enemies should the Assad regime collapse.

[AJL]

Thanks!