Syrian Civil War Update: 250,000 dead; Russian State-Sponsorship of Terrorism

One Quarter Million Dead in Five Years of Civil War in Syria

            The death toll in the Syrian Civil War has surpassed 250,000 in over five years of fighting.  There have also been many injured and millions displaced.  Several of Syria’s cities have been ruined.

            The Syrian people revolted in 2011 against the Baathist dictatorial regime of Bashar Assad.  His regime, which is Iran’s only Arab ally, is a state sponsor of terrorism, as it supports several Iranian-backed terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shi’ite terrorist organization.  Hezbollah is responsible for several hundred American casualties.  

Russian State Sponsorship of Terrorism

           Assad is backed by Iran and the Russian Federation, as well as by Hezbollah.  Indeed, Russia is reportedly arming and training Hezbollah, which meets the definition for being a state sponsor of terrorism.