Arab Spring is a term used to describe a series of political and social movements in northern Africa and the Middle East in 2010 and 2011. The Arab Spring was characterized by antigovernment protests and pro-democracy demonstrations. In many countries, the movements met with violent government reaction. In some places, protests forced government leaders from power. In others, the Arab Spring led to bloody conflict.
A common thread of the Arab Spring was a desire for democracy. In many of the countries affected by the movement, autocratic (undemocratic) leaders had been in place for decades. The Arab Spring was led by young people, many of whom used social media (Web-based and mobile technologies) to communicate and organize. Despite the name Arab Spring, not all participants were Arabs.
Tunisia.
The Arab Spring began in late December 2010 in Tunisia. After weeks of antigovernment demonstrations and protests, President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali resigned and fled to Saudi Arabia. Ben Ali had ruled Tunisia unopposed since 1987. The Tunisian protests were sometimes violent, and about 300 people were killed. The country began a series of free elections in October 2011. See Tunisia (History).
Egypt.
In January 2011, antigovernment protests erupted across Egypt. Protesters called for an end to the presidency of Hosni Mubarak, who had led Egypt since 1981. Mubarak stepped down in February 2011 and handed power to the military. Egyptians voted in a series of elections that began in November. In the early months of 2011, government forces killed more than 800 people while trying to suppress the protests. See Egypt (Egypt under Mubarak).
Libya.
Violent protests began in Libya in February 2011. The unrest soon escalated into an open, armed rebellion against the rule of Colonel Mu’ammar al-Qadhafi. Qadhafi had ruled Libya since 1969. The Libyan military responded to the rebellion by attacking rebel strongholds, killing thousands. The United Nations (UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) intervened to protect civilians. By August 2011, rebel forces had gained the upper hand and controlled most of the country. Rebels killed Qadhafi in October. The National Transitional Council, the political arm of the rebellion, took power as Libya’s transitional government. See Libya (Recent developments).
Yemen.
In January 2011, protests erupted against the rule of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Salih. Salih had ruled Yemen since 1978. Government forces responded violently to the protests, killing hundreds. Salih refused to step down, and violence increased. In late 2011, Salih agreed to transfer power to his deputy, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Hadi became president in February 2012. See Yemen (Unification).
Bahrain.
Antigovernment protests erupted in Bahrain in February 2011. The protesters sought democratic reform and the removal of the prime minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the uncle of the king, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa. The prime minister had held his post since 1971. Clashes between protesters and security forces claimed several lives. The king declared a state of emergency. He also brought in troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to stop the protests.
In January 2012, the king announced constitutional reforms. The reforms gave the elected parliament slightly more power within the government. See Bahrain (History).
Syria.
In March 2011, antigovernment protests erupted in several Syrian cities. Protesters called for greater political freedom, the release of political prisoners, and the removal of President Bashar al-Assad. Assad, in power since the death of his father in 2000, refused to step down. The unrest escalated into an armed revolt costing thousands of lives. See Syria (The early 2000’s); Syrian Civil War.
Other countries.
In Morocco, protests led to constitutional reform and greater power for the elected parliament. In Algeria, Iran, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, the Arab Spring was marked by mostly peaceful demonstrations with no major changes in government. A small number of people died, however, in clashes between protesters and government forces.
