This important work provides a thorough introduction to the origins, events, and impact of the devastating Syrian Civil War, illuminating the complexities and consequences of this long-lasting conflict. From the emergence of the war in early 2011 following the Arab Spring that swept across the Middle East, to the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS), through the re-establishing of control of most of the country by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's armed forces by late 2018, this comprehensive work covers every aspect of this conflict that has devastated millions. The introductory material provides a detailed overview of the Syrian Civil War that provides context to the reference entries that follow, and includes essays on the causes and consequences of the war. Reference entries discuss such topics as Bashar al-Assad, chemical weapons, the refugee crisis, the Battle of Saraqeb, and White Helmets. Includes curated, contextualized primary source documents, chronology, and bibliography.