Turmoil in north Africa and southwest Asia

Arab Spring Arab Spring Map - Motion Graphics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVCeCQnpHC0

Arab Spring - 2011 What was it: rebellion against the oppression of their governments and the desire for basic human rights Tunisia: President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali stepped down after 23 years in power. The death of Tarek al-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor set himself on fire,(self-immolation) this act started the revolution

Egypt Protests in Cairo’s Tahrir Square began in January 2011 and President Hosni Mubarak tried to put it down with force. He then tried to blame the brutality on foreign elements. He resigned on February 11, 2011. The military tried to take control but eventually held free elections. In June of 2012 a member of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohaed Morsi was elected President. Morsi was ousted in 2013 and his Muslim Brotherhood was declared a terrorist group. The current President is former Defense Minister Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

LIBYA Mohammed Yousef el-Magariaf Began with peaceful protests which were met with violence from police and supporters of Muammar Gaddafi resulting in some deaths. In March 2011 the UN allowed member nations to begin bombings of Libyan forces loyal to Gaddafi (1969-2011). October 2011 Gaddafi was killed by rebels as he hid in his own hometown. The US Consulate at Benghazi was attacked in 2012 causing the death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and four other State Department employees. Uprisings also occurred in Jordan (more about economy), Bahrain (political freedom), Palestine (regain homeland), and Saudi Arabia (like Jordan keep the monarch but give more freedom.) Mohammed Yousef el-Magariaf

Syria Began in January 2011 when a man set himself on fire to protest against President Assad. The social media picked up his protest. Protesters wanted more freedom, human rights and an end to the oppressive police presence. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) announced that the war in Syria had reached a grim milestone: Since the conflict began, they had documented the killing of 450,000+ people. Pres. Assad has used poison gas and biological weapons against his own people. The US and UK were supporting rebels in northern Syria until ties with Islamic fundamentalist groups was discovered. Russia is supporting Syrian leaders

ISIL/ISIS ISIL stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. ISIS stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Militant Sunni Muslims They want to carve out a caliphate in Syria and Iraq ISIS: Everything you need to know about the rise of the militant group - CNN.com

ISIS: Everything you need to know about the rise of the militant group - CNN.com ISIS on brink of defeat as govt forces cross Euphrates (EXCLUSIVE) - Bing video Video: ISIS released new propaganda clip depicting Washington invasion | Daily Mail Online Recent isis news