Battleground Syria: A look at the country's bloodied past

Israel and Iran have been fighting a shadow battle in Syria, escalating tensions in a country ravaged by the ISIS and a seven-year ongoing civil war. According to UNHCR, over 5.6 million Syrians have fled since 2011. Here’s a look at Syria’s bloodied past. Image: Asmaa Waguih / Reuters 2011Army fires on protesters in Deraa, in March, against the arrest of teens who painted anti-regime graffiti. Over the next few months, peaceful protests turn into violent uprisings.

2012Bombing of Homs and other cities stepped up in February. In July, Red Cross calls situation a state of civil war human rights watchdogs believe about 50,000 dead by 2012-end. Image: Khalil Ashawi / Reuters 2013Sarin attack in Damascus kills hundreds in August the UN calls it the worst chemical attack in 25 years.

2014Early in the year, ISIS takes over areas of neighbouring Iraq, moves into eastern Syria and captures Raqqa. In September, the US leads air campaign targeting ISIS. Image: Ammar Abdullah / Reuters 2015Russia launches airstrikes against “all terrorists” in September over 55,000 Syrians killed in the year till December 2016 army regains control of Homs, Palmyra and Aleppo.

2017Kurdish and Arab fighters backed by US drive ISIS out of Raqqa in October, its de-facto capital.

2018Suspected toxic gas attack on suburbs of Douma, kills over 40 and injures over 500 on April 7. On April 14, US, UK and France bomb chemical facilities.