Pro-democracy protests resulted in

Pro-democracy protests resulted in nationwide protests demanding President Assad's resignation
A descent into civil war began violence spread as protesters took up arms to defend themselves.
The conflict is now more than just a battle between those for or against President Assad as it has raised issues of human rights violations, Syria's chemical weapons, and how to assist refugees.
The conflict has acquired sectarian overtones, pitching the country's Sunni majority against the president's Alawite sect and Shia Muslims, and drawn in neighbouring countries and world powers.
The rise of the jihadist groups, including Islamic State, has added a further dimension to causes of the conflict.