Here is a brief look at the civil conflict in Syria and those affected.
The Syrian civil conflict between President Bashar Assad’s forces and rebels started with a political protest in March 2011 demanding Assad’s resignation and the end of Ba’ath Party rule. According to a Dec. 24, 2012, report, more than 46,000 people have been killed in the conflict and more than 408,000 refugees have fled to neighboring countries.

The United Nations is now estimating that the death toll in Syria may have surpassed an estimated 60,000 people. Here is a look at Syrian deaths by day as of Dec. 24.

Syria death tollReuters. Syria death toll

A look at the opposing sides

Syria overview