New Delhi: The unrest in Syria began in the southern city of Deraa in March 2011 when locals gathered to demand the release of 14 school children who were arrested and reportedly tortured after writing on a wall the well-known slogan of the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
Now it has been more than two years that the unrest continues there taking a huge toll of lives and properties. .
Though the protest by Syrians was peaceful in the beginning, it turned violent when security forces opened fire, killing five people on March 18 , 2011.
In the beginning the protesters called for democracy and greater freedom, though not President Bashar al-Assad's resignation but the Syrian authorities responded to anti-government protests with overwhelming military force and now the protesters are demanding Assad's resignation .
The president has resolutely refused to step down, but in the few public statements he has made since March he has offered some concessions and promised reform. Still the conflict in Syria rages on.
Here is the list of events that threw Syria into turmoil:
