Arab Spring Report
Arab Spring Report
Arab Spring Report
i
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations………………………………………...... iii
Executive Summary……………………………………........ vi
1. Introduction to Arab Spring …………………………………. vii
2. Main Body
ii
List of Illustrations
iii
Tables and Charts
iv
Letter of Authorization
Moosa Naseer
Undergraduate Student
Session 2016, Section A
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
Dear Student,
I am writing this letter to indicate that I authorize you and your team members to
make a report on the topic attested by me which is the Arab Spring.
I believe that you can make an excellent report on this topic and wish you all the best. But, in case
of any type of queries related to report, you can visit my office at department of humanities and
language sciences.
Best Regards,
Mehwish Riaz
v
Preface
It is a research based report which includes the deep and persuasive study of available literature
and media contents. It is full of interesting and unique information on the proxy wars taking place
between the Middle East countries. It was written to make the readers get aware of the undesired
events and misuse of power occurring in these countries due to desire of ownership, own
definitions of Islam and global oil market coverage. It has a severe effect on the Muslim world as
the enemies of the Islam wants to destroy of the power of Islam as they know the power of Islam.
But, unfortunately, you will come to know after reading this report that almost all Middle East
countries are fighting with each other. In general, America plays a main role in setting the plot to
preoccupy the economy of these oil rich Muslim countries.
This report also contains a survey which was designed to test what people actually knew
about it or what they actually think about it. I want to thanks my team members who have devoted
themselves to make this report far better than an individual can make. Special thanks to Syed Sher
Ali Bukhari to design main body format. And also to Marukh khan, Rehan Jamil and Ayesha
Maqsood to cooperate and complete this splendid report.
vi
Executive Summary
It is obvious that the Arab Spring, the rise of ISIS, and the Iran nuclear deal have profoundly
changed the Middle East and North Africa. Simplistic conflict narratives that focus on two
opposing camps are increasingly outdated. The conflicts in the Middle East are about much more
than just the Israeli-Palestinian or the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the relationships within and
between these conflicts are changing. For example, Arab governments tend to realize that they
share certain interests with Israel as a result of the new political reality. It is a natural thing that
every country always give its interests and benefits, the first priority irrespective of whatever type
of music other countries may face. Existing in the same geographical region, Middle East countries
are fighting with each other because all have their all viewpoint of Islam which is primary cause
of contention ignited by third party state, oil market coverage is secondary part. Saudi Arabia is
having a proxy war with Iran that was started in very beginning of Iranian revolution. Shia (Iranian)
and Sunni war (Arabian), indeed as they have severe amount of hatred for each other. The major
plot was setup in Yaman where houthis plays a puppet role of Iranian military same as set in Syria.
Syria also suffered a crucial damage because its resident owned a rebellion group so the innocent
people also become victims of uncovered flames. Syria is also fighting as Iranian backup against
Saudi Arabia as they were also Shia. A power game in progress till now.
In the meantime, America taking advantage of these conflicts plotted against Iraq considering it a
terrorist country and conquered it oil resources (Huge in amount). ISIS is reaction of American
cruelty but they are also handled by a Shia rebel militant wing. Israel is a old and gold power as it
is perfectly supported by America in all orientations. Israel is fighting with Palestine because Bait-
u-Muqadas is sacred place for Jewish, Muslims and Christians. Saudi Arabia have dealt with
America so it will get protection in return of oil reservoirs. So, Saudi Arabia is playing a double
cross policy. It wants America to destroy Iran but America is a wise country as he knew, that it
entangle it into a world war web. World is trying to create peace in middle east through meetings,
UN conferences but nothing could be fruitful until all these countries began to understand each
other or root out selfishness and power game.
vii
Introduction to Arab Spring:-
The Arab Spring was a progression of hostile to government
dissents and outfitted uprisings that spread over the Middle East in 2011. Yet, their motivation,
relative achievement, and result remain fervently in Arab nations, among remote onlookers, and
between world forces hoping to take advantage of the changing guide of the Middle East. Arab
spring is a uni-dimensional reaction of Middle East crisis having many counterparts. All the
Middle East countries are bounded in a proxy war with each other due to their own meaning of
Islam, lust of overwhelming others, and conspiracies made by third parties to conquer all oil
reservoirs which are making Middle East countries richest.
The purpose of this report is to explore the mysterious series of events taking place in the most
powerful and richest Muslim states in interesting, captivating and informative way. This report
will also urge readers to further comprehend the effects of this crisis on the world and nourish their
psychological viewpoints about the truth behind the dark curtains.
Whenever the world has a talk on Middle East crisis, there remains an unanswered question that
who is the main character or puppet master of this unending war setup? Many of people considers
“America” the right answer. But at the end of report, the reader will understand that however it is
somewhat true but basic war is talking place between these countries because each of them has its
own boxe of Islam having own sweets tasting differently.
viii
frameworks ought to be supplanted with. Dissidents in governments like Jordan and Morocco
needed to change the framework under the present rulers, some requiring a quick progress to
protected government, others content with continuous change.
Individuals in republican administrations like Egypt and Tunisia needed to oust the president,
however other than free decisions they had little thought on what to do next. Also, past calls for
more prominent social equity, there was no enchantment wand for the economy. Radical
gatherings and unions needed higher wages and an inversion of dodgy privatization bargains,
others needed liberal changes to make more space for the private part. Some hardline Islamists
were more worried about upholding strict religious standards. Every political gathering guaranteed
more employments however none verged on building up a program with concrete financial
approaches.
ix
(Published in 1944) mentioned that “Mesopotamia (Iraq) is the origin point of civilization of
humankind”. Charles Tripp a famous professor and writer, his area of interest is especially in
the Middle East wrote in his book “ A History of Iraq “ (published in 2000) about the Land of
Iraq “ Iraq was the first country where democracy was found “.
x
Efraim Karsh is famous British political professor having a strong vision on Middle East crisis,
wrote his famous book “The Iran-Iraq war” (Published in 25 April 2002). In his book, he
describes the underground story of undergoing war conditions, he wrote that it is really hard to
Iraq War:-
This war plays vital to reshape the geological position of many Middle East countries. The time
period of war is 8 years, 8 months and 28 days. The origin of this war comes from the attack of
9/11. Due to 9/11, USA and NATO lunched a war against the terror in Middle East. Surprising the
invasion of war was started by arguing that Iraq has dangerous nuclear weapon. But in reality there
is no such proof given by USA and NATO to have evidence of nuclear weapon. Tony Blair former
British prime minister who was one of biggest supporter of presence of nuclear weapons in Iraq.
“There was no nuclear weapon, I am sorry” he accepted very later in his press conference.
USA adopt aggressive policy against Iraq since 2000 during the election presidency of G.W. Bush.
In October 2002 Bill Clinton former president of USA stated that “As a preemptive action today,
xi
however well-justified, may come back with unwelcome consequences in the future. I don't care
how precise your bombs and your weapons are, when you set them off, innocent people will die.
“On 20 January 2003, French Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin declared "We believe that
military intervention would be the worst solution”
He stated that” small group of administration officials including Vice-President Dick Cheney and
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld who were urging the President to go to war in Iraq beginning
shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Secretary of State Colin Powell and General Tommy
Franks are described as being part of a group within the government more skeptical of the plan to
invade Iraq”. After the removal of Dictator, The USA GOVT promised to give $20 billion for
reconstruction of Iraq and to save his oil resources. Most of Islamic scholars have strong belief
that the “Invasion of Iraq was done to control huge amount of oil and gas resources and to weaken
xii
the one of major Muslim country. Most of survey was made to estimate the loss during the war.
American GOVT officially
Reported that 34000-37000 Iraqi killed and more than 50000 thousand people injured during the
war. The other survey which is not given by American, the numbers were double. Iraq beard billion
of economic lose during the war. During the long period of war, thousands of protests seen. In
different countries to support the people of Iraq. The attitudes of Muslim countries are unbearable
because most of Muslim countries either helped USA and NATO to invasion of Iraq or condemned
the actions of USA without doing some practically solution on ground realities. In 2009, USA
withdraw his troops from Iraq. But the present condition of Iraq is about that country is going
moves towards instability. Moreover Civil war started after the vacuum of USA troops.
International opinion:-
According to BBC Report “A poll of more than 26,000 people in 25 countries, 73% of the global
population disapproved of U.S. handling of the Iraq War A September 2007 poll conducted by
the BBC found that two-thirds of the world's population believed the U.S. should withdraw its
forces from Iraq”
In 2006 it was found that majorities in the UK and Canada believed that the war in Iraq was
"unjustified" and – in the UK – were critical of their government's support of U.S. policies in
Iraq.
A poll conducted by Arab American Institute, four years after the invasion of Iraq, 83% of
Egyptians had a negative view of the U.S. role in Iraq; 68% of Saudi Arabians had a negative view;
96% of the Jordanian population had a negative view; 70% of the population of the United Arab
Emirates and 76% of the Lebanese population also described their view as negative.
The Global Attitudes Project reports that in 2006 majorities in
the Netherlands, Germany, Jordan, France, Lebanon, Russia, China, Canada, Poland, Pakistan, S
pain, Indonesia, Turkey, and Morocco believed the world was safer before the Iraq War and the
toppling of Saddam Hussein.
Saudi-Arabia:-
There is evidence that human habitation in the Arabian Peninsula dates back to about 63,000 years
ago.
The history of Saudi Arabia in its current form as a state began with its foundation in 1930
by Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. For much of the region's history a patchwork of tribal rulers controlled
most of the area. The Al Saud (the Saudi royal family) emerged as minor tribal rulers in Najd in
central Arabia. From the mid-18th century, imbued with the religious zeal of Wahhabi Islamic
movement, they became aggressively expansionist. Over the following 150 years, the extent of the
Al Saud territory fluctuated. However, between 1902 and 1927, the Al Saud leader, Abdul-Aziz,
carried out a series of wars of conquest which resulted in his establishing the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia in 1930 (Philip Khuri Hitt, History of the Arabs, Revised: 10th Edition, Published in 2002
in USA). At other times, the region existed in relative obscurity and isolation, although from the
xiii
7th century the cities of Mecca and Medina had the highest spiritual significance for the Muslim
world, with Mecca becoming the destination for the Hajj pilgrimage, an obligation, at least once
in a believer's lifetime, if at all possible.
xiv
was an observable defrost in relations. In March 2007 President Ahmadinejad of Iran went by
Riyadh and was welcomed at the airplane terminal by King Abdullah, and the two nations were
alluded to in the press as "loving countries". After March 2011, Iran's money related and military
help for Syria amid the Syrian Civil War, has been an extreme hit to the change of relations. On
January 3, 2016. Saudi Arabia's international safe haven in Tehran, Iran was scoured after the
execution of Saudi-conceived Shia Islam minister Nimr al-Nimr. The execution provoked
boundless judgment inside the Arab World and in addition different nations, the European Union
and the United Nations, with challenges being completed in urban communities in Iran, Iraq, India,
Lebanon, Pakistan and Turkey. Following the assault on its international safe haven in Iran, Saudi
Arabia broke discretionary relations with Iran and the Saudi outside pastor said that every single
Iranian representative are to leave the nation inside 48 hours.
Some more events that depressed the relations in indirect manner should be known. As in 2010,
two Iranian officers were caught in Yemeni city of Aden amid the battling between nearby state
army and Houthis. According to neighborhood master Saudi civilian army, they filled in as military
guides to Houthis and were associated with Iranian Quds Force. Further intensifying of respective
connection amongst Iran and Saudi Arabia is for the most part expected as the two nations are
included seriously in Yemeni crisis.
In April 2015, media detailed that two Iranian high school travelers to Saudi Arabia had been
sexually bothered by Saudi police at the Jeddah Airport. After that, 80 individuals from Iranian
parliament exhibited a bill for minor Haj ceremonies to be suspended u until the Saudi authorities
ensure the security of Iranian visitors and stop such happenings. Hundreds of Iranians protested
outside Saudi Arabia's Embassy in Tehran over the alleged abuse of these two Iranian pilgrims in
April 11 and clashed with police forces after trying to climb the embassy walls. At this moment, a
Saudi Prince, Dr. Khalid bin Abdullah bin Fahd bin Farhan Al Saud tweeted that : "Under the risk
of the adversary Zoroastrians (the ancient pre Islamic religion of Iran that survives there in isolated
areas and, more prosperously, in India, where the descendants of Iranian (Persian) immigrants are
known as Parsis, or Parsees)-verifiably - to the Kingdom - the time has come to think-genuinely -
to restrict Iranians from coming to Mecca to protect the well-being of the explorers".
On January 7, 2016, Iran's foreign ministry made the claim that Saudi warplanes had "deliberately"
targeted its embassy to Yemen in the city of Sanaa. Iran's report included claims that a number of
the building's guards had been injured as a result of the bombing. Despite this assertion Sanaa
residents and the Associated Press have reported that the embassy suffered no visible damage.
Currently General Ahmad Asseri from the Saudi-led coalition is investigating Iran's allegations.
Later on, Asseri announced no evidence was found for the accusation neither by the Arab Coalition
Military nor by the legitimate Yemeni government. (Simon Mabon, Power and Rivalry in the
Middle East, published in 11/January/2015)
xv
A number of long-range missile strikes have been launched against Saudi Arabia by Yemeni
Houthi rebels against the capital Riyadh and dragging the Saudis into a vicious war. A total of 87
missile strikes have been launched by the Iran backed Houthi rebels during the war.
Speaking to Newsweek Mr. Miller continued: “A sophisticated missile capacity in Yemen is not
only going to create a serious security problem for Saudi Arabia. It’s also going to make it
extremely difficult for much, if any, of the crown prince’s new vision for Saudi Arabia to take
place.”
Reforms already taking place in Saudi Arabia include the decision to let women drive and plans
to create a new tourist hub similar to Dubai on the coast of the Red Sea.
The most recent attack against the Gulf Kingdom came on November 4 when an Iranian made
Qiam-1 missile is said to have exploded near Riyadh airport. Major General Jafari from the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that Tehran did not authorize the strike or provide the rebels
with the military equipment. He said: “The claim that the missile was delivered to Yemen by Iran
is baseless. These missiles have been manufactured by the Yemenis and their military industries.”
However, that statement has been rejected by their Middle East rivals, who have argued that the
Houthi attacked on the Iranians' command. In a statement they said: “Iran's role and its direct
command of its Houthi proxy in this matter constitutes a clear act of aggression that targets
neighboring countries, and threatens peace and security in the region and globally.” (Reported by
researchers in BBC news documentary on Middle East War in 2015).
xvi
Fig.5 John Kerry in a conference
Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah also called for an attack against its long term rival. But the US
have not taken any part in this war because they do not want to face another trouble as they have
faced in Afganistan. But US is against Iran due to following events:-
On 23 June 1996, a massive truck bomb exploded near U.S. military barracks in Dhahran,
Saudi Arabia, killing nineteen U.S. servicemen and wounding hundreds. The US
government held Iran responsible for the attack. The charges against Iran, however,
remained unconfirmed, and therefore did not substantively affect the Iranian-Saudi
relations.
On November 4, 1979, a group of Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran,
taking more than 60 American hostages.
Adel al-Jubeir, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, stated on one of his article that
Qaeda’s chief of operations "Saif al-Adel placed a call from Iran in May 2003 giving orders
for the Riyadh bombings that claimed more than 30 lives, including eight Americans. Yet
he still benefits from Iranian protection"
On 11 October 2011, US accused Iran of planning to assassinate the Saudi-Arabian
ambassador to the US Adel Al-Jubbair
xvii
Pakistan's opposition leader Imran Khan also visited the embassies of Iran and Saudi Arabia and
met their head of commissions in Islamabad on 8 January 2016 to understand their stance regarding
the conflict. He urged the Government of Pakistan to play a positive role to resolve the matter
between both countries. (Reported by Nawai-waqt newspaper in 2016)
History of Palestine:
According to the author Sari Nusseibeh in his book “Once upon a country: A Palestinian life”, he
said:
“It was the time of 5th century BC Ancient Greece when the term Palestine was first used for the
whole area between Phoenicia and Egypt, in a book written by Herodotus, District of Syria, called
Palestine in the Histories, which included the Judean mountains and the Jordan Rift Valley.
In the ancient world Palestine was considered a part of the region known as Canaan and afterwards
the region where the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah were located.
The region was among the earliest in the world where human habitation, agricultural communities
and civilization could be observed. During the Early and Middle Bronze Age,
independent Canaanite city-states were established, and were influenced by the surrounding
civilizations of ancient Egypt.
Palestine is the name of an area in the Middle East situated between the Jordan River and the
Mediterranean Sea. Ottoman Empire included Palestine in 1517. Palestine was considered under
the control of the Turks until World War 1.At the end of World War I, the Turks were defeated by
the British forces led by General Allenby. Due to which some parts of Turkey were given to French
while other were given to England in which Palestine was also included. This area then remained
under the rule of British from 1920 to1948.
In the 1930s, the Great Arab Revolt took place against the British, who ruled Palestine after 1918.
The Arab Revolt was directed at both the British and the growing Jewish population. At the time
when large numbers of Jews moved to Palestine in the 1940s, a movement called "Zionism" began
in the late 1800s, which made many Jews from around the world to move to Palestine to regain
their ancient "homeland" of Israel. Thus, by the 1930s, the numbers of Jews had risen to a point
that alarmed many Palestinian Arab leaders. The British put down the revolt with the help of
Jewish militaries, but the fighting and hostility never really ended between the Jews and Arabs.
From that point on, both the Jews and the Palestinians formed militias and other military units to
fight each other and to prepare for the day when the British would leave”.
Israel State:-
On 14 May 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, declared "the establishment
of a Jewish state in Eretz-Israel, to be known as the State of Israel. “Israel is also a Middle East
country located between the “Mediterranean Sea” and “Red sea” and is occupied mainly by Jews.
Lebanon is located to its north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan on the east, the Palestinian
territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to the east and west, respectively, and Egypt to the
southwest. It has relatively small area. Its proclaimed capital is Jerusalem. According to the
xviii
Census survey of 2017 the population of Israel was found to be 8,784,100 people, in which 74.7%
were Jewish, 20.8% Arab and 4.5% others.
Palestine-Israel Conflict:-
According to “Palestine: peace not apartheid by Jimmy Carter”, Palestine-Israel conflict is not
of today’s time rather it had been a long time since the issue of Palestinians and the
Israelis started. This issue has affected both nations but yet can’t be solved properly. Palestine-
Israel conflict was the modern conflict since 19th century but it became an important International
issue when Israel was established in 1948.The origin of this conflict was mainly the immigration
of Jews in Palestine and sectarian conflict in Mandatory Palestine between Jews and Arabs.
There are also many other issues regarding to the disturbance between two nations which are as
follow:
Land:-
The main reason for this problem can be considered is that each of the two nations think that the
land is meant to be for them and they call this land by their own styles e.g. Israelis call this land as
Israel while Palestinians call it Palestine. According to George C. Kohn, historically, the ancient
Jews from Biblical times called their land Israel, Canaan, Judea, Samaria, Galilee and other names.
Modern Jews, and quite a few Christians, believe that in the days of the Bible and the Torah, God
gave this land to the ancient Jews (also known as Hebrews), led by men such as Abraham, Moses,
David, and others. About 2,000 years ago, the Roman Empire ruled this area, and in suppressing
several Jewish rebellions, the Romans destroyed the Jewish temple in the city of Jerusalem, killed
large numbers of Jews, and forced many others to leave their homeland., but large numbers of
Jews did not return until the 19th and 20th Century, especially after Two. This is where the real
trouble began between the Jews, who began calling themselves "Israelis" after their old name for
their ancient homeland of Israel, and the Arab population of the area who came to be known as
“Palestinians”. In the two thousand years after most of the Jewish population was killed off by the
Romans or forced to leave, Arabic-speaking Muslims became the dominant powerful group.
xix
According to records of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Palestine for several centuries, in the
year 1900, the population of Palestine was 600,000, of which 94% were Arabs. While many Arabs
were willing to sell land to the incoming Jews, many other Palestinian Arabs were worried about
becoming a minority in a country they considered their own.
Religion:-
Religion is one of the biggest issues. Most of the population of Palestine is Muslim while there are
few Jews and Christians. The Palestinians want divine “Islamic Shari Law” in Palestine. While in
Israel most of the people are Jewish and many few are of other religions.
Jerusalem:-
One of the major conflicts between two parties is that both want to have Jerusalem as their territory.
It is due to the religious significance of Jerusalem. It is considered significant in the religions like,
“Judaism, Christianity and Islam” and that’s why these religions consider it a “Holy city”. Its
importance for Christians and Jewish is due to the fact that many important events regarding to
their religion happen to take place here. Jerusalem is also mention in the Torah, which is
an important Jewish text. In Islam it is considered as First Qibla for Muslims.
Masjid-al-Aqsa:-
According to “Virtues and History of Masjid-al-Aqsa”,
Masjid Al-Aqsa is important to the Muslims because they have a believe that their beloved Prophet
Hazrat Mohammad (P.B.U.H) ascended to Heaven from this spot during the Night Journey which
is called Waqya-e-Mairaj as it is also said in Holy Quran.
پاک ھے وہ ذات جو ایک رات میں اپنے بندے(محمد) کو مسجد حرام سے مسجد اقصی لے گئ ۔ با برکت
بنایا تاکہ ہم اسے اپنی کچھ نشانیاں کھول کر دکھا دیں ۔ وہ سننے واال دیکھنے واال ھے ۔
)51 (سورت بنی اسرائیل پارہ
While Due to its dome rock Masjid Al-Aqsa is important to Israel. It is because the Dome of the
Rock is considered as a Holy place, in Israel. It is said to be existed from the late 600s AD. Jews
believe that the rock where the Biblical Jewish temples once stood, but Jewish law and the Israeli
scholars forbid Jews from entering the Masjid and praying there, as it is considered too holy to
tread upon.
Israel–Palestine War:-
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in a few wars.
xx
the first Israel-Palestine war was officially ended on July 20, 1949. this war was also known as
War of Independence for Israel since the state of Israel regained the area that had been promised
to them by UN General Assembly resolution 181.Moreover they owned about 60% of the areas
which was initially under the control of Arabs in which West Bank was also included.
1967 War:-
It is also referred to as War of Attrition. The war was fought between Israel Army, Egyptian and
Palestine forces. Egyptian initiated this war in order to regain Sinai which was taken by Israel
during the time of Six day War between Israel and Egypt.
Yemen:-
Yemen is considered to be one of old civilization of Arab World. It is called to be door of Arab.
Sheila Carapico is famous professor and notable figure in historian literature, her special area of
interest is civilization of Middle East. In her book “Civil society in Yemen” (Published by 28
March 1988) connected past and present of that country in couple of words “Yemen is first land
of Arab where of rise and fall is observed in beginning of dispute.Paul Driesch name sufficient for
Historian to claim his creditability in field of Middle East History “Tribes, Government, and
History in Yemen “(Published in 1989), his notable book. He lighted up the origin of Yemen by
xxi
rising his comments” Yemen derived from Yamnat (old name of Yemen) meaning of country of
south “
Yemen Crisis:-
Yemen, second largest country after giant dry and hot climate country Saudi Arabia. The
peace of country under threaten since 1990, when some of local groups of Yemenis tries to gain
power to protect their respective interest. Most of part of Yemen consisting of diverted between
60-65% Sunni and 30-35% Shia. According to reports of different news channels like BBC,
reported that” On day of 27, January 2011, first protest was observed in capital of Yemen Sana'a
against Govt. Going to Origin , Yemen existed as two separate countries - the Yemen Arab
Republic (YAR) in the north and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) in the
south. In 1990, both chose to unify and create the Republic of Yemen. However, southern part
soon began complaining of political and economic marginalization by government in Sanaa, and
fought a civil war in 1994 in a failed attempt to reverse the unification.
Currently, Yemen is in the grip of its most severe crisis in recent years where different forces are
fighting to gain control. The world has not shown similar concern for the countries like Somalia,
Ukraine which too are going through similar crisis because of the geopolitical importance of
Yemen. As Yemen is located at the seashore of Red Sea, which is a part of important trade route
xxii
between Asia and Europe through Suez Canal, lack of governance in Yemen could adversely affect
the trade between Asia and Europe.
The current Yemeni crisis started in 2011 with the beginning of revolution to dismiss then
President Ali Abdullah Saleh who had remained at the top position for more than two decades. In
2012, he agreed to step down in exchange of immunity granted and his former Vice President
Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, a Sunni. He was elected President unopposed and was largely supported
by the international community.
According to Joshua Koontz, the famous professor at well know different institutions, his
specialized in Yemen civilization and crisis, he commented on his article (Published in 10 August
2015) at crisis” Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State in Iraq and al
Sham (ISIS) continue to expand in Yemen, exploiting the Saudi Arabia-led coalition's
preoccupation with securing northern Yemen. “Houthis are the most powerful and organized
political and military group in northern Yemen controlling huge stretches from Saad in the north
to the south of the capital Sanaa. Houthi’s take their name Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, who
launched an insurgency in 2004 but was killed by Yemeni army forces in September 2004. The
former president Ali Abdullah Saleh who was ousted in 2011 still retains huge influence among
Zaidi tribes which also happens to be tribe of Houthis,“Abd Rabbuh”. It was on the name of
Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi is a Yemeni politician and former Yemen Armed Forces field marshal.
He has been the President of Yemen since 27 February 2012, and was Vice President from 1994
to 2012
Helen Lackner Turkish writer, his special area of interest is current affairs on Middle East, her
famous book “Yemen in crisis” (published in 2017). She unlooked the untold story between Iran
and Saudi Arab role in crisis of Yemen “Saudi Arab helps Yemeni military and Government to
crush Houthis which gained direct and indirect support by Iran Government, the main interest of
each country is protect their oil price in open market” Officially, the Houthis say that their aim is
to establish a vibrant democracy where minorities including themselves have a political
representation in the government which was denied during Hadi’s rule. Meanwhile as the influence
of Shia Houthis expand in Yemen, Sunnis who are in majority felt threatened. They accused
Houthis of introducing Iranian agenda in the region.
International intervention:-
In September 2014, three major parties - Houthis, former President
Saleh and current President Hadi agreed to form a unity government within a month but they could
not reach agreement on the choice of Prime Minister. When Houthis and the General People's
Congress led by Saleh announced their withdrawal from talks of unity government, the United
Nations Security Council (UNSC) imposed sanctions over Houthi’s and Saleh.
The conflict between the Houthis and the elected government is also seen
as part of a regional power struggle between Shia-ruled Iran and Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, which
shares a long border with Yemen. Saudi Arabia has expressed strong support for President Hadi
as they staunchly oppose the Houthis who are Shia. In 2014, they also declared Houthis as terrorist
organization. Meanwhile, Iran is widely seen as the main backer of the Houthis. In the March
2015, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia responded to a request by Hadi to intervene and launched air
strikes on Houthi targets. The coalition comprised five Gulf Arab states and Jordan, Egypt,
Morocco, Pakistan and Sudan.
Syria:-
Syria is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the
west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. More
than 1 million Syrian refugees are residents of Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt and North Africa.
Syria's capital and largest city is Damascus. This country is smaller than the state of Victoria with
exactly same population as Australia (23 million). Assad family was there since 1971. First it was
Hafez al-Assad, then Bashar al-Assad. They are Alawites (branch of Shia islam) and people are
still angry at their government. As Rodger Shanahan points out, the reason for this angriness is
the failure of long-promised economic and political reforms.
xxiv
Fig 9 “Map of Syria”
Daniel Demeter is famous writer in cultural history of Middle East “Lens on Syria: A
Photographic Tour of Its Ancient and Modern Culture” (Published in 2016). He pointed out
that “Civilization in Syria was one of the most ancient on earth. It was part of the Fertile Crescent
and since approximately 10,000 BCE it was one of the centers of Neolithic culture (PPNA) where
agriculture and cattle breeding appeared for the first time in the world”
xxv
Fig 10 “Basher-al-Assad addressing on national channel “
Syrian civil war is an armed conflict in Syria between the loyal forces to the Ba’ath party and its
president, Basher-al-Assad, versus the free Syrian army who aim to destroy the loyalists. The war
began as a cause of demonstrations which are part of a wider spread Middle Eastern protest known
as Arab Spring. The Arab spring aims to stop the loyalists, who support President Assad and his
government who seek to oppress the people’s right and freedom. The oppressive government has
wanted to keep Syria confined and quite, abiding peacefully away from the outside world.
xxvi
On March 6, 2011, in the southern city of Daraa, fifteen teenagers were arrested for writing "the
people want the regime to fall" on walls across the city. Supposedly the military police tortured
them, or had carried them handcuffed out of their classroom. Some were killed in detention, and
this led to public protests which spread around the country (from book “struggle for Syria” by
Patrick seale).
In March 24, 2011, in response to continuing protests, the Syrian government announces several
plans to appease citizens but there is no change in the environment. In May 18, 2011, the US
imposes sanctions against al-Assad and six other senior Syrian officials. The Treasury Department
details the sanctions by saying, "As a result of this action, any property in the United States or in
the possession or control of US persons in which the individuals listed in the Annex have an
interest is blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with
them" (from book “Syria burning” by Charles glass).
On the other hand, Iran and Syria are close strategic allies, and Iran has provided significant
support for the Syrian Government in the Syrian Civil War, including logistical, technical and
financial support, as well as training and some combat troops. Iranian security and intelligence
services are advising and assisting the Syrian military in order to preserve Bashar al-Assad's hold
on power. Those efforts include training, technical support, combat troops. By December 2013
Iran was thought to have approximately 10,000 operatives in Syria. From January 2013 onward,
the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps lost more than 2,000 troops in Syria. 1,000+ of the deaths
have been Iranian soldiers, mostly officers, including several brigadier and major generals. The
remaining deaths consist of auxiliaries recruited from Afghan and Pakistani immigrants inside
Iran, who joined the IRGC in exchange for salaries and citizenship, in an arrangement similar to
a Foreign Legion (from book “inside Syria” by Reese Erlich).
xxvii
Fig 12. Map shows Proxy war between Saudi Arab and Iran
xxviii
Economic Statistics:-
The economy has shrunk 45% since the start of the conflict. Unemployment increased by 5 Folds.
Its currency decreased one-sixth from its pre-war values. The public sector lost US $ 15 billion.
(BBC news)
Health issues:-
The legacy of war includes damage to the health of children that can last for decades and
affect future generations. According to SOHR (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights) estimated
the loss during the Syria war” 346,612–481,612 people killed during the war till December 2017”.
According to SCPR (Syrian Center for Policy Research) calculated the loss during civil war of
Syria “470,000 people killed during the war till July of 2017”. Over 7,600,000 internally
displaced (July 2015 UNHCR Estimate)
Over 5,116,097 refugees (July 2017 registered by UNHCR), the picture represents death causes,
xxix
So we ask people about this question and mostly people are in favor that if we want a peaceful
environment in Syria then Assad should leave his office and Syrians have the privilege to vote for
their president. Countries should put their differences aside and work together to sort out all the
conflicts in a peaceful environment. Otherwise, country has no doubt to become a “Living Hell”.
Democracy:-
In my personal point of view “Democracy is best solution in Middle East crisis,” because this
region under the monocracy of different strong leading people for long time. Iraq was under the
monocracy of Saddam Hussein ruled more 24 years. Syria is suffering from cruse of Dictatorship
more than 46 years. Yemen faces situation of civil war. Israeli and Palestinian conflict is
considered to be holy war between Islam and Jewish. Iran and Saudi Arab plays Proxy war to
protect their local interest. The role of Turkey is quite important in Middle East power Game.
According to point of view of Akbar Ganji about the role of Turkey in Middle East Crisis. “Turkey
has regional ambitions, and to achieve them, it has chosen to support radical Islamic groups.
Turkish President Tayyib Erdogan is determined to topple the regime of President Bashar al-Assad
in Syria at any cost. His government support of the Islamic State has been criticized harshly even
by the opposition groups there. Fifteen thousand foreign terrorists from 80 nations have used
Turkey to enter Syria. Send that many fighters with weapons to any country and the result will be
chaos and bloodshed. Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria, DFOF its intelligence, to seal off
Turkey’s borders with Syria and not allow the jihadists to pass through, but to no avail. And, Vice
President Joe Biden explicitly pointed to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and United Arab Emirates
for arming and funding ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria. He was forced to apologized, but only
for telling the truth.”
If True Democracy would come in these countries and Transform of Power takes place in real
sense. Then Peace in these states would fate of people. We conducted different interview to know
from audience “What is optimized Solution of Middle East Crisis”
Democracy, in modern usage, is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power
directly or elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body, such as a
parliament. It is control of an organization or group by the majority of its members selected by
public voting.
xxx
Optimized Solution
Opinion Statistics
0.9
6
5
2.5
xxxi
Respect Each Other:-
This kaleidoscope of sometimes competing narratives can literally ignite at any given moment.
There can be no lasting solutions if we first don't understand the full history: Iraqis and Iranians
are actually two different peoples who speak different languages, Christian Arabs existed before
Muslim Arabs, and the Ottoman Empire was a vast Turkish state that reached the gates of Vienna
twice. But it gets tricky. As in any other part of the world, there exist clashing historical narratives
that continue to cause political friction. It is important to hear out both sides to understand the roots
of sentiments. Studying all histories will present a fuller picture. From there we can begin the
healing process and offer some sense of closure.
To understand that the political economy affects politics, whether in the Middle
East or beyond:
It cannot be sufficiently underscored; we need to approach the region with the notion that it is oil
rich is misleading; it assumes that these economies are well developed and fully integrated into
the world economy. In reality, the region suffers from economic depression and disturbingly high
rates of unemployment, underemployment, and poverty. And analyzing political economies is a
way to understand political instability in the region. Let's take this example. Professors of political
science, Christopher Parker and Pete Moore, explore how the war economy in Iraq has a direct
effect on the volatile and violent politics of post-invasion Iraq. In their essay, The War Economy
of Iraq, they study Iraq's well-established smuggling networks that emerged as the Baathist state
retreated from the economy over the last two decades. They explain that insurgents attacking U.S.
forces are those who built their livelihoods in the shadow of the Baathist regime by partaking in
the newly configured economy. The failure on the part of the U.S. to understand this complex
political economy led to their misdiagnosis of the Iraqi situation. The dangers of this
misunderstanding are costly; the U.S. has been quick to blame violence on sectarianism and by
doing so only refuel sectarian cleavages.
xxxii
MIPS
(Multiple Indicator Physiological Survey)
Introduction:-
MIPS survey is a systematic survey which has more than one physiological
research based questions. And response and ideology of people of different mind levels are noted
down. Deductions are derived from these reviews which coincides with common statistics of
residents of a specific area. Thus, play an important role in judgment of unsigned probability to
achieve its maxima.
Note:-
It is designed by author from inspiration of MICS survey which is famous and accurate in
the viewpoint of senior citizens working in either public sector or private sector.
Purpose of Survey:-
This survey has been made to comprehend what people think about the
events occurring in the Middle East and how much knowledge they have about Middle East
happenings and to urge people to get knowledge of most crucial historical events that have
trembled the whole Muslim world.
Review Statistics:-
xxxiii
Deduction:-
Nearly 82% of students think that America is play major role in this crisis. Somehow
may be true because of its reported conspiracies in Middle East countries. 9% thinks its Saudi
Arabia because it is too much involved with America.
Review Statistics:-
Deductions:-
It was the questions which had gotten equal probability remarks. But most of
students think that Syria and Palestine had suffered the most damage. It is true because media and
researchers had shown severe devastation in both countries. But Iraq is not behind in critical
damage as reported in accordance with reviewers.
Review Statistics:-
“Graphical interface always define expressions of feelings”
Quoted by author.
xxxiv
The frontier fighter of Middle East war
Deduction:-
About 52% of the students think that Israel is talking main role in Middle East war, may
be, because Israel has been involved with America in all conspiracies. Also 38% think it is Iran
because it uses aggressive language and force. Syria has troops of Iran which are fighting as
houthis so it is also at 14.2%.
Review Statistics:-
xxxv
Deduction:-
About 48% of the students think that Pakistan is talking main role in stopping Middle
East war, may be, because Pakistan has been involved with various meeting and conversations
with these countries to solve all conspiracies however it’s results is another topic of discussion.
Also 22% think it is Saudi Arabia because kings are luxurious and peace lovers and wanted to end
this war. 18% thinks it is United Kingdom as it is taking part in meeting through forum of UN
(United Nations).
Review Statistics:-
Deduction:-
About 71% of the students think that Middle East war will not get any end because
neither of the Middle East country is talking reasonable step towards ending this hell. About 22%
think it will get an end because world is now taking serious measures and steps towards Middle
East war, maybe, but researches and reports reveal that UN is doing nothing in solving any serious
problem of the world, it is Quite Statue. Only meetings, talks and bills, no actual or practical step
taken yet.
xxxvi
American conspiracy and its role in this war:-
It is a known truth that a player always strikes its best not when there is chance, but when the
chance is given by opponent. Many people think that US has no relation with the Middle East
crisis but now we are going towards the journey of words that will lead you to the truth behind the
media facts.
The United States propelled more airstrikes in Yemen this month than amid all of a year ago. In
Syria, it has transported nearby powers to bleeding edge positions and has been blamed for
murdering regular citizens in airstrikes. In Iraq, American troops and air ship are focal in
supporting a urban hostile in Mosul, where airstrikes executed scores of individuals on March 17.
Two months after the initiation of President Trump, signs are mounting that the United States
military is extending its association in a string of complex wars in the Middle East that need clear
endgames.
Instead of speaking to any formal new Trump precept on military activity, nonetheless, American
authorities say that what is going on is a move in military basic leadership that started under
President Barack Obama. In plain view are a portion of the main signs of how confused military
operations are proceeding under a president who has pledged to make the military "battle to win."
In a meeting on Wednesday, Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the leader of United States Central Command,
said the new strategies made it simpler for commandants in the field to bring in airstrikes without
sitting tight for consent from more senior officers.
"We perceived the idea of the battle would change and that we needed to guarantee that specialists
were down to the correct level and that we enabled the on-scene administrator," General Votel
said. He was talking particularly about exchanges that he said started in November in regards to
how the battles in Syria and Iraq against the Islamic State were achieving basic stages in Mosul
and Raqqa.
Robert Malley, a previous senior authority in the Obama organization and now VP for arrangement
at the International Crisis Group, said the uptick in military inclusion since Mr. Trump took office
did not seem to have been joined by expanded getting ready for the day after potential military
triumphs.
"The military will be the first to disclose to you that a military operation is just in the same class
as the discretionary and political arrangement that accompanies it," Mr. Malley said.
The absence of tact and getting ready for the future in places like Yemen and Syria could render
triumphs there by the United States and its partners unsustainable.
"From cruel experience, we realize that either U.S. powers should be included as long as possible
or triumph will disperse not long after they leave," he said.
Others fear that greater military involvement could drag the United States into murky wars and
that increased civilian deaths could feed anti-Americanism and jihadist propaganda.
xxxvii
Some demand this has just happened.
"Daesh is upbeat about the American assaults against regular people to demonstrate its trademarks
that the Americans need to execute Muslims all over the place and not just the Islamic State's
shooters," an inhabitant of the Syrian city of Raqqa composed by means of WhatsApp, utilizing
the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State, otherwise called ISIS or ISIL. He gave just his first
name, Abdul-Rahman, inspired by a paranoid fear of the jihadists.
The move toward more prominent military inclusion stretches out into one of Mr. Obama's focal
inheritances: the drawn out American nearness in Afghanistan, where more than 8,400 American
warriors and 5,924 troops from NATO and different partners remain, and where the Taliban have
been resurgent.
Plans have been reported to send 300 United States Marines to Helmand Province, their first
organization there since 2014. What's more, the American administrator, Gen. John W. Nicholson
Jr., told Congress in February that he might want another "couple of thousand" American and
coalition troops.
In any case, the progressions have additionally been striking in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, all home
to covering clashes in fizzled states where jihadist bunches like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State
have exploited the disorder to venture up operations.
Indeed, even while being drawn all the more profoundly into those contentions, the Obama
organization looked to constrain American engagement while pushing — for the most part futile
— for strategic arrangements. It likewise propelled visit airstrikes to execute singular jihadists or
to devastate their offices and sent a huge number of American troops back to Iraq to prepare and
prompt Iraqi powers, and furthermore give capability, so they could "debase and at last demolish"
the Islamic State.
Be that as it may, under Mr. Obama, the White House regularly put in weeks or even months
thinking certain strikes and airstrikes out of worry for American administration individuals and
regular folks — and frequently to the disappointment of leaders and American partners.
Mr. Trump's extreme explanations previously coming into office, and the ascent in non-military
personnel passing’s in late American strikes, have brought up issues about whether the new
president has expelled imperatives from the Pentagon on how it takes up arms.
Be that as it may, organization authorities say that has not yet happened. What's more, military
authorities ‘demand that the streamlined procedure for airstrikes does not excluded administrators
from strict conventions intended to stay away from regular citizen losses.
Talking before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, General Votel said the
Pentagon had not casual its principles of engagement. He called the mounting toll of regular citizen
passing’s in Iraq and Syria "totally grievous and awful" and said Central Command was
researching their motivation.
The intricacy of these wars and the American part in them is clear in Yemen, where the United
States has two unmistakable parts, both of which have expanded under Mr. Trump.
xxxviii
The nation, the Arab world's poorest, has been part fifty-fifty since activists known as the Houthis
aligned with parts of the military and grabbed the capital, pushing the universally perceived
government into oust.
Two years back, a military coalition drove by Saudi Arabia started shelling the dissidents, wanting
to debilitate them militarily and reestablish the administration. They have gained little ground,
while more than 10,000 individuals have been murdered and expansive parts of the nation are very
nearly starvation, as per the United Nations.
Under Mr. Obama, the United States gave military help to the Saudi-drove coalition, yet ended the
offer of exactness guided weapons over worries that airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and its partners
were executing an excessive number of regular folks.
However, since Mr. Trump took office, his organization has propelled a few arms bargains for
coalition nations, while affirming the resumption of offers of exactness guided weapons to Saudi
Arabia, as indicated by an American authority comfortable with Yemen arrangement.
Source:-
(Andrew J. Bacevich, America's War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History, Kindle
Edition, Published in 2016 in USA)
(Andrew Scott Cooper, The Oil kings, how the US changed the power balance in Middle East,
Published in 2011 in USA)
Conclusion:-
It is now obvious that Middle East crisis is easy to explain but hard to solve. It is
taking the major role in determining the fate of Muslim world as this patch of earth was the
strongest Muslim community. However, sudden it was entangled in the burning flames of war and
conflicts, no matter what we comprehend from the stud, the basic point is that it is a power game.
Every Middle East country want to raise the flag of its emperor-ship. It is also considered as a war
of Shia and Sunni sects, but it is true to very little extent.
The world has to take strict steps to stop this war but they cannot do anything. Until these countries
are agreed to accept each other rights in the Middle East continent. Conservations are ongoing but
it is difficult to specify that who is a friend or who is a foe? Expert people predict no end to this
war, maybe, they are true as lust of power and pride do not leave any person, until death like a
chronic disease. The innocent peoples are also becoming prey of this devastating flame of proxy
wars leading to death to thousands of people.
Final Perspective:-
At last, we want to say thanks to readers for deeply studying this report and getting must knowledge
of most critical series of events, the Middle East crisis. Please share this work with others to
enhance their knowledge also.
xxxix
References:-
1. The Great War for Civilisation written by Robert Fisk ( published in 2005S)
2. Sowing crisis written by Rashid Khalidi ( published in 2009)
3. Syria Burning: A Short History of a Catastrophe written by Charles Glass (
published in June 2005 )
4. Plan of Attack written by Bob Woodward ( published in 19 April 2004)
5. The Iraq War written by John Keegan ( published in 2003)
6. Yemen in Crisis written by Helen Lackner ( published in 16 October 2017)
7. Inside Syria written by Reese Erlich ( published in 2014)
8. Gaza in Crisis written by Noam Chomsky, Ilan Pappé ( published in 22 September
2010)
9. The Missing Peace written by Dennis Ross ( published in 2004)
10. The Israel-Palestine Conflict: One Hundred Years of War written by James L.
Gelvin ( published in August 2005)
11. Saudi Arabia and Iran: Soft Power Rivalry in the Middle East written by Simon
Mabon ( published in 2003)
12. The oil kings written by Andrew Scott Cooper ( published in 2001)
13. Inside the Kingdom written by Robert Lacey ( published in October 2009)
14. Seven Pillars of Wisdom written by T. E. Lawrence ( published in December 1926)
15. Six Days of War written by Michael Oren ( published in 18 April 2002)
Note:-
These are additional books for more comprehensive and extra knowledge that is not covered
in this special report due to limit of data. It will be pleasure some for us, if you gain more important
knowledge about Middle East Crisis.
xl
xli