(Image source: Al Jazeera, ABC News, euronews)

BY MALLORY PERRYMAN

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Rebellions that ended regimes. Protests that toppled dictators. People who were the power behind a sweeping movement known as the Arab Spring.

“Police opened fire on demonstrators using tear gas and live rounds.” (Syria, March 20th)

“The stench of bodies is everywhere. These lie on the streets closer to Gaddafi’s compound.” (Libya, August 27th)

“Breaking news out of Egypt where NBC News has learned President Hosni Mubarak will step down tonight.” (Egypt, February 11th)

Protester: “We’re in this until the end. Even if it means we’re going to die because people have died for this and we are prepared to die for this.” (Egpyt, February 11th)

“It is rather exceptional, if not historic, that people on the streets of a country that has been ruled by the same man for a generation are demanding that he step down.” (Tunisia, January 19th)

From Tunisia to Bahrain-- to Libya-- to Egypt-- and Syria-- unrest gripped the Middle East in 2011.

It all started last December in Tunisia-- where a man lit himself on fire to protest how he was treated by government police.

That suicide led to massive protests against President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali-- who eventually fled the country.

The spirit of rebellion spread-- and soon protesters filled the streets of Algeria-- where activists organized a nationwide “day of anger” in January--

And Yemen-- where protesters called for the resignation of Ali Abdullah Saleh-- the nation’s leader for more than three decades.

Yemenis protested for nine months. By November-- Salah conceded.

“Finally, he signed... Until now, he couldn’t let go of his 33 year rule.” (Yemen, November 24th) 

A fever that began in Tunisia soon caught fire in Egypt-- with people flooding the streets in the largest protests since President Hosni Mubarak took office in 1981.

“There are reports that up to 500 people have been arrested since protests began yesterday and there have been stern warnings from the government that further demonstrations will not be tolerated.” (Egypt, January 27th) 

But the protesters didn’t stand down--

“We’re more than an hour after curfew and as you can see, thousands and thousands of people that have gathered here and are showing their ongoing defiance.” (Egypt, January 30th) 

The 18 days of protests were bloody-- with official reports that about 850 people died.

Finally-- on February 11th-- Egypt’s vice president delivered this message from Mubarak.

“I, President Muhammed Hosni Mubarak, have decided to step down as president of Egypt.” (February 11th) 

By the middle of February-- protesters had taken to the streets in Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Iran, and Libya.

Many of the protesters were young-- and organized massive demonstrations via social media.

“On February 17th in Libya where Muammar Gaddafi is leader. February 19th again in Algeria. February 20th in Morocco. And March 8th in Kuwait.”

Some of the bloodiest protests were in Libya-- where state security forces used lethal force to try and stop rebels looking to oust leader Muammar Gaddafi.

“Unconfirmed eyewitness reports from Benghazi in Libya say dozens of people have been shot dead during protests on Saturday.” (February 20th) 

“The police started shooting at everyone....and six of the protesters, they got killed.” (February 17th) 

As news of the attacks on rebels spread-- the United Nations got involved.

“The United Nations Security Council has moments ago voted on a resolution imposing a no-fly zone extending over all of Libya and that quote ‘all necessary means can be used to protect citizens.” (March 17th) 

The fighting went on until October--when rebel troops revealed Gaddafi had been killed. Though it’s still unclear exactly how he died, Libyan rebels declared it a victory: 

“People here in Benghazi of course, the birthplace of the revolution, soaking up the delight here as they say goodbye to the Gaddafi era...” (October 23rd) 

...and international forces left Libya to rebuild.

“Today marks the end of NATO’s bombing campaign in Libya. The UN Security Council authorized that 7-month mission that helped the Libyan rebels overthrow Muammar Gaddafi.” (October 31st) 

The Associated Press reports around 30,000 people died during the Libyan conflict. And in nearby Syria-- a similar story of a violent government crackdown this year.

“The country has been ruled by the Ba’ath party headed up by President Bashar al-Assad since a coup in 1963. All opposition parties are banned.” (March 20th)

“Anti-government protests in Syria-- government forces are said to have shot dead around 20 people...” (March 25th)

“Word of a massacre underway this evening. As many as 2,000 may have died in Syria already, more than 100 in just the last 24 hours.” (August 4th) 

The conflict in Syria is ongoing--- and the United Nations estimates more than 5,000 people have died since the protests began. International forces have-- so far-- not intervened with force.

From Tunisia--to Libya-- to Syria- and Egypt--

“Moments ago the crowd just exploded into cheering and flag-waving and chanting the word ‘freedom’.”

There’s been much media analysis as to what sparked the movement that’s become known as the Arab Spring-- and there’s been much analysis as to what’s next for the protesters redefining their nations. We’ll keep up with all the latest developments-- and keep you informed in 2012.