Civil wars and domestic conflicts tend to have devastating effects on a country. Wars negatively affect a country’s political, economic, and social sectors. The Syrian civil war, which started in 2011, is stated as one of the worst conflicts of the modern times. The fighting, which started as revolutionary protests but escalated into civil war, has affected both Syria and countries neighboring Syria. The conflict has resulted in one of the greatest humanitarian crises experienced in modern times with the death toll reaching up to 250000 people. Other than the high death toll and displacement rates, the Syrian civil conflict has devastated the Syrian economy, as very few countries are willing to trade with Syria. The conflict has also affected the socio-political environment in Syria as the country social structures have broken down resulting in a state of lawlessness.
Economic Effects
The Syrian conflict has resulted in direct and indirect economic effects on Syria and her neighbors. The Syrian civil war has resulted in the country having the highest unemployment rates in the world. According to Heller, the Syrian unemployment rate after the war rose to 57%. (Par. 8). The lack of a proper workforce has resulted in a halting of the majority of the economic activities. Most of the business owners either have been killed or fled the country; therefore, a reduction of revenue. The war has also resulted in the destruction of many business facilities; therefore, huge losses for the existing businesspersons (Heller Par. 19). Other than businesses, the war has also resulted in the loss of workforce as most of the individuals left in the country either participate in the war as soldiers or are too afraid to try working.
The Civil war has resulted in Syria getting sanctions and trade embargos. Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom initially set up sanctions against Syria at the beginning of the conflict (Department for Business, Innovation & Skills). The outbreak of the war resulted in the other countries choosing not to trade with Syria. The trade embargos have resulted in Syria reducing the level of exports; therefore, no source of foreign exchange. The lack of imports has also resulted in the country experiencing a shortage of various goods. Other than trade embargos, countries have also issued travel advisories against visiting Syria. (Department for Business, Innovation & Skills). The travel advisories have resulted in reduced tourism; therefore, zero sources of foreign exchange. The travel restrictions and the trade embargos have together resulted in the failing Syrian economy.
One of the areas greatly affected by the war is the property sector. The war has resulted in a decline in property prices in Syria (Ianchovichina Par. 6). The fighting has resulted in a complete overhaul of investment in the country. The lack of investment has in turn led to land and property owners selling at very low prices to avoid losses. The high number of people leaving the country has also resulted in property being sold at very low prices. The need for money to aid in fleeing the country has resulted in Syrian citizens selling their land at very low prices. The destruction of infrastructure has also resulted in a reduced price for the property. The lack of basic infrastructure including electricity and clean water has led to most of the property losing value.
The war has also had an economic impact on Syria’s neighbors. Countries such as Lebanon and Syria have both benefitted and suffered economically due to the war (Ianchovichina Par. 5). The refugee crisis has resulted in an influx of the workforce in these two countries. The increased workforce has resulted in economic benefits for both Lebanon and Jordan. The war has also resulted in increased consumption levels. The increased consumption levels show an increase in trade; therefore, economic benefits. The war has however resulted in reduced trade between Syria and her neighbors. The reduced trade has negatively affected the economies of the neighboring countries. The high number of refugees also has a negative effect has led to decreased living standards. The high workforce competition brought by the refugees has negatively affected the rates of pay; therefore, lowering the standards of living in neighboring countries.
Humanitarian impact
The Syrian civil war has resulted in one of the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of close to seven million people in Syria. Women and children have been the most affected by the war, with UNICEF statistics showing the war to have affected close to fourteen million children (D'Urso Par. 4). Due to the emergence of the Islamic State militant group, government agencies have carried out indiscriminate attacks resulting in innocent casualties, most of whom are women and children. The war has resulted in millions of women and children being trapped in war tone areas. Economic issues, as well as fear of the unknown, have resulted in many children and women suffering the horrors of war (D'Urso Par. 7). The war has also resulted in youths joining the various militant groups fighting the government. This influx of youths and children joining militant groups has resulted in a decrease of the average life expectancy rate.
The Syrian war has also resulted in a reduction or total loss of basic services such as medical care. The civil unrest has resulted in a shortage of medical personnel within the country. Most of the doctors and car providers either have fled to neighboring countries or have died during the war. According to statistics provided by the UN, the country had approximately 2500 doctors in the second largest city (D'Urso Par. 12). The number has however reduced to below a hundred doctors, which illustrates a looming health crisis. The presence of different militant groups in the country has also resulted in international organizations withdrawing the majority of their staff from their country due to fear of attacks. Aid organizations such as MSF have reduced their activities in the country due to the recent abduction of five of its personnel by the Islamic State.
The various attacks on the government and foreign forces on different areas of Syria have resulted in the cutting of aid and supplies. Attacks aimed at destroying the various militant headquarters have resulted in the destruction of roads that are used to transport supplies and aid to the war victims trapped in Syria (Afred Par. 3). The various airstrikes conducted by the government and allied forces have destroyed aid vehicles, which has prompted the various aid groups to suspend operations in different areas of the country. The various airstrikes aimed at stopping opposition to the government has also resulted in the destruction of facilities such as hospitals, bakeries, schools, and markets. The war has also resulted in many children not attending school leading to an uneducated generation. This destruction has resulted in a lack of many basic needs; therefore the humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has also resulted in a humanitarian crisis in countries that share a border with Syria. Lebanon and Turkey have been the most affected with over 1.3 million refugees fleeing into Lebanon (Romano Par 2). This rapid increase in the number of refugees has resulted in a serious burden on the Lebanese economy. The increase in the number of refugees has put constraints on every sector of the Lebanese economy, including trade, infrastructure, education, as well as security. Other than the government, the refugees also receive support from the private citizens who choose to welcome Syrian families into their home. However, even with the help of private citizens, not all refugees can get help resulting in them living in tents and unfinished buildings (Romano Par 5). The poor living condition faced by the refugees in Lebanon illustrates the rate of the humanitarian crisis.
Social Political effects
The Syrian conflict has also affected the social and political environment within the country. The conflicts began as political protests, but interference from the government escalated the demonstrations into a war. The emergence of the conflict resulted in divisions as different militant groups formed to fight government forces. The government reaction to the protests also resulted in divisions within the government; therefore, political indifference within the government.
The formation of the different militant groups later resulted in the formation of the Islamic State (ISIS) near the Syrian-Iraqi border. The formation of the Islamic state resulted in the change of the social structure in areas controlled by Isis. The introduction of the caliphate by Isis resulted in the establishment of an area greatly influenced by Islamic laws (Higgins). The emergence and development of the Islamic state also have an impact on Syria politics. The formation of the Caliphate resulted in the creation of an area not controlled by the government. The northern part of Syria, which is controlled by ISIS, follows its set of rules established by Islamic law and not rules established by the Syrian government (Rodgers, Lucy, et al). The various steps taken by the government in dealing with the Islamic states have also resulted in divisions within the country. The indiscriminate bombings conducted by the government have resulted in several politicians choosing to leave the government (Higgins Par. 10). The bombings and killing of innocents have also resulted in the government losing support from a majority of the Syrian citizens.
The conflict in Syria has also had a huge impact on families and the family structure. One of the greatest effects of the war is that it has resulted in the separation of many families. The outbreak of the war resulted in many people fleeing their homes, which in turn may have resulted in children being separated from their parents. The war has also resulted in the death of many adults, which has resulted in an increased number of orphans. This increased number of children without parents has resulted in both a humanitarian and social crisis.
The war has also had social and political effects on the neighboring countries. The refugee situation in Lebanon has resulted in a social crisis in Lebanon. The different cultural beliefs between the two countries are the main reason towards the social issues caused by the refugees. Regarding politics, the conflict has resulted in differences between Russia and Turkey. Due to these two countries supporting different sides of the conflict, relations between Russia and Turkey have been affected greatly by the war.
Conclusion
The Syrian civil conflict has resulted in numerous casualties as well as the displacement of a large portion of the population. The war has led to economic socio-political as well as a humanitarian conflict. The Syrian conflict has also resulted in the rise of one of the most feared terror organizations in the world; therefore, attracting international attention. As such there is need to develop ways to help end the war in Syria; therefore, reduce any more negative effects.
Works Cited
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D'Urso, Joseph. "Millions Of Children Are Trapped By War In Syria." 2015. The Huffingtonpost. Web. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/12/syria-war-children_n_6854612.html>.
Heller, Seth. "The Price of Civil War: Syria's Economy After Four Years of Conflict." 1 April 2015. Global Envision. Web. <http://www.globalenvision.org/2015/03/25/cost-civil-war-syria’s-economy-after-four-years-conflict>.
Higgins, Patrick. "The War on Syria: The Major Political Players, Humanitarian Crisis." Global Research (2015). Web. <http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-war-on-syria-the-major-political-players-humanitarian-crisis/5473168>.
Ianchovichina, Elena. "The Economic Impact of the Syrian War and the Spread of ISIS: Who Loses & How Much?" December 2014. The World Bank. Web. <http://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/economic-impact-syrian-war-and-spread-isis-who-loses-how-much>.
Rodgers, Lucy, et al. "Syria: The story of the conflict." 2 February 2016. BBC News. Web. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26116868>.
Romano, Julia Craig. "Humaniterian Crisis: Impact of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon." 2013. Wilson Center. Web. <https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/humanitarian-crisis-impact-syrian-refugees-lebanon>.
