WEEK THREE: Syrian Refugee Crisis

The war in Syria has gone on for over five years and has claimed the lives of more than a quarter of a million people.

It is being fought between soldiers who support the president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, and a group of fighters known as rebels, who don't want him to be in power anymore.

Because it is being fought between two sides within the same country, it is known as a civil war.

But why did it start and what do both sides want?

How did it all start?

The trouble began in 2011 in the Syrian city of Deraa.

It began because local people decided to protest after 15 schoolchildren were arrested - and reportedly tortured - for writing anti-government graffiti on a wall.

The protests were peaceful to begin with, calling for the release of the children, democracy and greater freedom for people in the country.

The government responded angrily and, on 18 March 2011, the army opened fire on protesters, killing four people.

The following day, they shot at mourners at the victims' funerals, killing another person.

People were shocked and angry at what had happened and soon the unrest spread to other parts of the country.

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16979186

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Key words:
1.rebel (n.)反叛者
2.protest (v.)抗議
3.anti-government （a.）反政府的
4.mourner （n.）送葬者