Unless you live under a rock, you've heard about the genocide that's been happening in Aleppo, Syria and all of the disgusting inhumane acts that have been happening to the citizens there. However, because of the western media's history of ignoring atrocities happening to Muslim people, you're also probably confused as to what exactly is happening and why. Well here is a comprehensive list of what is going on, what helped cause it, and what you can do to help.

The current president of the country is Bashar Al-Assad, whose one redeeming quality in the eyes of the West being that he opposes ISIS, yet does still not make up for the fact that he has created an unlivable military state in his country that's resulted in what can literally be called a genocide.

In about 2012, the youth in The Middle East began vocalizing their dissatisfaction with the way their governments were run, one of these countries being Syria. These protests and uprisings are deemed the Arab Spring. Sound familiar yet? These events were heavily televised for the fact that some of the other nations saw leaders stepping down in response. President Assad however, called in military troops and began killing protestors and civilians. This was the start of what is now the Syrian Civil War.

Assad took his military power to a whole other level when he began dropping chemical bombs on rebel groups and civilians, including many children. The fact that the president was using low-grade weapons of destruction on his own people was enough to strengthen rebel forces who ultimately lost a large number of volunteers due to Assad's violence.

However the government and rebels groups came to a dead-lock in the city of Aleppo; government controlling the West, opposition holding the East. This all changed this November when the Syrian government decided to try and take the rest of the city. And by this week they've successfully forced rebel groups out of most of the Eastern parts of the city and into just a few blocks. The citizens caught in the crossfire has resulted in thousands left homeless or orphaned and hundreds dead.

As of December 15th however, Assad's allies Iran and Russia had reached a ceasefire deal as transportation for fighters, civilians, and the injured moved them into a rebel-held area in Idlib. The Syrian government, however, continued their assault the next morning pushing, even more, civilians out of their homes and out of safety.

What is happening right now is a sickening atrocity and is literally a genocide. We, as westerners, are watching the collapse of a nation and we are witnessing an entire city of people being treated mercilessly as less than human and no sufficient help has been sent. Even if you can't get there and help as most people can't or won't, there are still ways to help and donate. Some reputable donations to assist in this crisis include White Helmet, Save the Children, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Doctors Without Borders, and Syrian Relief. Literally, anything would help the citizens of Aleppo and Syria get food, shelter, and transportation. Don't just sit by and watch this genocide happen on your twitter feed. It's your chance to do something good, take advantage of it.