what happened in 2014 that ade ongoing civil war in syria even more complicated

In 2014, several key events occurred in Syria that further complicated the ongoing civil war:

1. Rise of ISIS: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) expanded its control in Syria, taking advantage of the chaos of the civil war. In June 2014, ISIS seized control of the city of Raqqa and later declared a caliphate, further complicating the conflict by introducing a new and extremely violent actor into the mix.

2. Kurdish Autonomy: The Kurdish groups, particularly the People's Protection Units (YPG), began to gain significant ground against ISIS, especially in northeastern Syria. This led to a shift in dynamics, with the Kurds pushing for greater autonomy and control over their areas, which worried Turkey and other regional powers.

3. U.S. Airstrikes: In response to the ISIS threat, the United States began launching airstrikes against ISIS positions in Iraq and later extended these operations into Syria, further complicating the conflict by adding another foreign military actor to the mix.

4. Humanitarian Crisis: The fighting continued to create a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and in desperate need of assistance. The refugee crisis spilled over into neighboring countries and Europe, leading to broader geopolitical repercussions.

These developments in 2014 not only intensified the struggle for power in Syria but also drew in various international actors, aligning interests in complex ways that intensified the conflict further.