March 2011
15- A "Day of Rage" demonstration in the southern city of Deraa leads to security forces shooting a number of people dead, triggering days of violent unrest and more civilian deaths.
18, 25- "Day of Dignity" and “Day of Glory” protests draw thousands of demonstrators. By the 23rd, activists say 100 people have been in killed in Deraa alone.
29- The government announces some conciliatory measures and releases dozens of political prisoners in an attempt to diminish the unrest. President Bashar Assad dismisses his government and accuses the protesters of being Israeli agents.
April 2011
21- The “State of emergency” law - in force since 1963 - is lifted in a conciliatory move by the Assad regime, yet the violence continues.
May 2011
5-14 -Army tanks enter the cities Deraa, Banyas, Homs and suburbs of Damascus in order to crush anti-regime protests.
19- US tightens sanctions in response to bloody crackdown on protests. The European Union does the same two days later.
June 2011
7- The government says that 120 members of the security forces have been killed by "armed gangs" in the northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughour. Troops besiege the town and more than 10,000 people flee to Turkey.
9 - The IAEA decides to report Syria to the UN Security Council over its alleged covert nuclear reactor program. The structure housing the alleged reactor was destroyed in an Israeli air raid in 2007.
27- President Assad vows to begin a "national dialogue" on reform.
July 2011
27- Dozens of opposition leaders meet in Istanbul to form a unified opposition.
31 - President Assad sacks the governor of the northern province of Hama after a mass protest there, eventually sending in troops supposedly to restore order but kills at least 139 people according to local activists.
August 2011
18- US President Barack Obama and Western allies first call on President Assad to step down.
October 2011
2- The newly created Syrian National Council says it has forged a common front of internal and exiled opposition activists.
4- Russia and China veto UN resolution condemning Syria.
November 2011
12- Arab League votes to suspend Syria, accusing it of failing to implement an Arab peace plan. Weeks later the League votes to impose sanctions.
15- Activists say a 70 people are been killed, in one of the bloodiest days so far, as Syrian government supporters attack foreign embassies.
27: The Arab League passes sweeping sanctions against the Assad Regime.
December 2011
5- Syria agrees to an Arab League initiative allowing Arab observers into the country.
13- Death toll in uprising exceeds 5,000, says UN.
28- Thousand Of protesters gather in Homs to greet Arab League monitors as the violence continues.
January 2012
23- The Arab League initiative that calls for the “peaceful departure of the Syrian regime” and President Assad to delegate power- similar to the process implemented in Yemen for President Saleh to step aside- is rejected by the Syrian Government as interference, but catches the attention of the UN Security Council for review.
28- Arab League suspends its monitoring mission because of worsening violence. Activists said 98 people were killed by government forces the day the League pulled out.
February 2012
4-City of Homs shelled in the bloodiest days since uprising began, with over 200 civilians killed in a single day according to activists.
5 -UN Security Council draft resolution that endorses Arab League plan for ending violence and calls for the ouster of Bashar Assad in Syria blocked by Russia and China. The U.S. and most of the international community strongly condemn the two countries’ intransigence, with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling the vetoes “a travesty.” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon called the violence “Unacceptable before Humanity'
