vati44

Hi Zeina, I have two questions:

1) Syria was initially a conflict between the Syrian regime and the FSA, but as the conflict protracted other groups, such as Kurdish militias and al-Qaeda linked Jabhat al-Nusra, began to arm themselves against the regime. Now, the non-international armed conflict has developed into one with sectarian tensions. My question is: what exactly led these groups to arm themselves?

2) The violence in Syria is now spilling over into neighbouring countries. What are countries, such as Lebanon and Iraq, doing in order to contain the violence within Syria's borders?

Thank you for taking the time to do this.

I read a report by the International Crisis Group and it states that Kurdish militias and Salafi-inspired groups armed themselves because of the stalemate between the regime and FSA. Were they forced to take up arms because of the stalemate?