_ ARAB SPRING The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions, demonstrations and civil wars that spread across the Arab world. It began in response to corruption, poverty, unemployment and economic stagnation and was first started in Tunisia ‘on 17" December 2010. Countries the ‘Arab Spring’ impacted 1. Tunisia 2. Bahrain 3. Egypt 4, Libya 5. Syria 6. Yemen 7. Kuwait 8 Oman 9. Iraq 10. Saudi Arabia 11. Lebanon 12. Morocco 13. Sudan 14. Algeria 15. Jordan 16. Palestinian territories Commencement 1. Located in Tunisia, the Arab Spring took its roots where the struggle against corruption, unemployment and poverty was started by the public which turned into a political movement because the people considered the existing problems as outcome of autocratic dictatorship, 2. The demand for democracy that started in Tunisia spread throughout the Muslim- dominated Arab countries in West Asia. Hosni Mubarak, who had been in power in Egypt since 1979, also collapsed as a result of the massive democratic protests. 3. In addition, the influence of Arab Spring could also be seen in Yemen, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya and Syria where similar protests by the people led to democratic awakening throughout the region. Events/incidents In December 2010, Tunisian street vendor Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire to protest the arbitrary seizing of his vegetables by the police. They did so as Mohammed had failed to obtain a permit.‘This act served as a catalyst for the now famous Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia was an intensive 28 days (17 December 2010- 14 January 2011) campaign of civil resistance. It led to street protests in the capital of Tunis and quickly spread throughout the country. The scale of the protest forced the President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to abdicate from power and flee to Saudi Arabia after ruling Tunisia for 20 years [Activists in other nations took cue from the events in Tunisia. Inspired by the first parliamentary democratic elections held in October 23, 2011 that took place in Tunisia, they began protests of their own. ‘At Present, Najla Bouden is the Prime Minister and Kais Saied is the president of Tunisia, The participants in these grassroots movements sought increased social freedoms and greater participation in the political process. The protests spread to five other countries Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain where the regime was toppled or major uprisings and social violence occurred including riots, civil wars or insurgencies. Sustained street demonstrations took place in Morocco, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Sudan In Egypt( 25 Jan 2011 - 11 Feb 2011), the early gains made from the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak were reversed following a coup led by defence minister Abdel Fattah el-Sisi who has remained in power since 2013. In Libya(15 February2011-23 October2011), meanwhile, authoritarian dictator Colonel Muammar Qaddafi was overthrown in October 2011, during a violent civil war, and was executed by opposition fighters. This has contributed, in part, to the on-going worldwide refugee crisis, which has seen thousands flee Libya, most often by boat across the Mediterranean Sea, with hopes of new ‘opportunities in Europe. Similarly, the civil war in Syria (25 March2011-28 July 2011)that began in the aftermath of the ‘Arab Spring lasted for several years, forcing many to leave the country to seek refuge in Turkey, Greece and throughout Western Europe. For a time, the militant group ISIS had declared a caliphate—a nation governed by Islamic law—in north-eastern Syria The group committed numerous atracities and even destroyed cultural heritage sites in areas under their control, ISIS was defeated in Syria, but the regime of long-time dictator Bashar al Assad remains in power in the country In addition, the on-going civil war in Yemen (2014-present) can also be traced to the Arab Spring, The country's infrastructure has suffered significant damage, and the conflict has devolved into tribal warfareIn February and Mi rota ese Srbredd 1, Bahrain (14 February 2011 - March 2011)experienced peaceful denen orPeet Government repression, leaving over 30 dead, mostly terloneataae anaes Prominent opposition leaders were sentenced to lengthy jail ‘ques and other religious structures were damaged or demolished. Causes of Arab Spring a Ee ic condi pa ‘Onomic Causes- the economic condition of the Middle East countries was very much ‘eriorating. The people were suffering from food crisis and low standard of living. Level of unemployment was increasing. b, Social Causes: The people did not have the social freedom to move freely or to express their Opinions in the public. The government of dictator had the absolute rule over the whole society. ¢. Corruption- In Middle East countries the corruption was at its height during this this time. The business elites collaborated with the regime to exploit the masses. d. Rebellion- Within a month of the downfall of Tunisian dictatorship in 2011, the protests spread to almost every Arab country, as people revolted, though with varying intensity, but the media helped to a great extent to give further encouragement to the rebellion. e. Social Media-The first mass protest in Egypt was announced on Facebook by an anonymous group of activists, who in a few days managed to attract tens of thousands of people. The social media proved a powerful mobilization tool that helped the activists to outwit the police. f. Sudden cause- The death of Mohammed Bouazizi, the street hawker of Tunisia led the inhabitants of Arab states to go against the despotic rulers. He committed the self-immolation as a protest in December, 2010, when his goods were taken away and he was humiliated at the hands of a female municipal officer. Consequences of the Arab Spring ‘a. Removal of Authoritarian rulers from Tunisia, Libya and Egypt- Most of the Middle Eastern countries were being ruled by the authoritarian rulers. Many of them ruled for decades so, after the revolt these despotic rulers were being removed from their thrones. . Political and Social Rights- The rulers of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Bahrain granted social and economic rights to their citizens. ¢. Development of Public Political Sphere- Arab Springs marked the formation of a public ical sphere where common masses could discuss politics openly in the public places. pe d. Emergence of democracy: the revolt was a successful attempt at bringing democratic ideals in the Middle Eastern countries. The people got freedom from all the despotic shackles after Jong drawn war against it QA, What had caused the Arab Spring?Ans. Various economic and political causes including increased population leading to unemployment, etc. were the causes that led to Arab Spring, a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions. The end goal of the uprising was an increase in democracy and freedom. Q2. Which countries experienced uprisings due to Arab Spring? ‘Ans. Arab Spring was a wave of pro-democracy protests and uprisings that took place in the Middle East and North Africa. The regions of protest include Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, Libya and Morocco