The Arab Spring, a wave of pro-democracy protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions across the Middle East and North Africa, commenced in late 2010. The initial spark was ignited by the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, on December 17, 2010, protesting unemployment and police harassment. This act of desperation catalyzed widespread demonstrations against the autocratic regime of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, leading to his ouster in January 2011. Subsequently, the revolutionary fervor spread to other Arab nations.