Global Conflicts around the World in 2023

Here is a list of current ongoing conflicts or tense situations around the world:

• Syria: Civil war and international intervention
• Yemen: Civil war and Saudi-led coalition intervention
• Afghanistan: War against Taliban insurgency
• Ukraine: War in Donbass and ongoing Russian interference
• Nagorno-Karabakh: Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
• Myanmar (Burma): Civil war and ethnic conflict
• Tigray conflict in Ethiopia
• Somalia: Civil war and Islamist insurgency
• Kashmir: Territorial dispute between India and Pakistan
• Israel-Palestine: Conflict over borders and sovereignty
• Venezuela: Political and economic crisis and US intervention
• Sudan: Conflicts in Darfur and South Kordofan

It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive and the situation in these regions may change frequently.

The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring protests, with citizens demanding greater political freedom and an end to the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. The conflict escalated into a full-scale civil war, with opposition groups fighting against government forces and various extremist groups such as ISIS emerging. The war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, mass displacement of civilians, and widespread destruction of infrastructure.

International powers, including Russia and Iran, have intervened in support of the Assad regime, while countries like the United States and France have provided support to opposition groups. The conflict has also drawn in neighboring countries, including Turkey, which has launched military operations against Kurdish groups in northern Syria.

Efforts to end the conflict through diplomatic means, such as the UN-brokered peace talks, have so far been unsuccessful. The ongoing war continues to have a devastating impact on the Syrian people and the wider region, and finding a political solution remains a major challenge.

The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthi rebel group, a Shi’ite minority from the north of the country, took over the capital city of Sana’a and forced the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to flee. In response, a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened with the goal of restoring the Hadi government to power.

The conflict has since escalated into a full-scale civil war, with the Houthis controlling much of northern Yemen and the Hadi government controlling the south. The war has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people in need of aid and many suffering from hunger and disease.

The Saudi-led coalition has been criticized for its military campaign, which has included airstrikes that have killed civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure. The coalition has also imposed a blockade on Yemen’s ports, making it difficult to deliver aid and worsen the already dire humanitarian situation.

Efforts to end the conflict through diplomatic means have so far been unsuccessful, and the fighting continues to rage in Yemen. The conflict has become a proxy war, with various regional and international powers supporting different sides, and a political solution remains elusive.

The conflict in Afghanistan began after the US-led invasion in 2001 to oust the Taliban government, which was harboring Al-Qaeda militants responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The US-backed government of President Hamid Karzai struggled to establish control over the country and fend off an insurgency led by the Taliban.

In 2014, the US officially ended its combat mission and turned over security responsibilities to the Afghan government, but the Taliban continued to launch attacks and make territorial gains. In response, US forces resumed a more limited role in the conflict, providing support and assistance to Afghan security forces.

The conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and widespread displacement of civilians, as well as significant damage to the country’s infrastructure and economy. The Taliban have been accused of human rights abuses and limiting civil liberties, especially for women.

Efforts to reach a peace agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban have been ongoing, but so far without success. The conflict in Afghanistan continues, with the Taliban controlling large parts of the countryside and the government struggling to provide security in the major cities. Finding a lasting political solution to the conflict remains a major challenge.

The conflict in Ukraine began in 2014 after protests in Kiev resulted in the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Russia annexed Crimea shortly thereafter, and pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine declared independence and took up arms against the Ukrainian government.

The conflict has escalated into a full-scale war, with fighting between Ukrainian government forces and separatist rebels. The war has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

The role of Russia in the conflict has been a major source of controversy. The Ukrainian government and Western countries have accused Russia of supporting the separatist rebels with troops and weapons, a charge that Russia denies. The conflict has also drawn in international actors, with Western countries providing economic and military support to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia.

Efforts to end the conflict through diplomatic means, such as the Minsk agreements, have so far been unsuccessful. The situation in eastern Ukraine remains tense, with sporadic outbreaks of violence, and finding a lasting political solution remains a major challenge. The conflict continues to have a significant impact on the Ukrainian people and the wider region.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a long-standing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, an enclave in Azerbaijan with a predominantly Armenian population. The conflict began in the 1980s and escalated into a full-scale war in the 1990s, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of hundreds of thousands more.

A ceasefire was established in 1994, but sporadic outbreaks of violence have continued over the years. The situation escalated again in 2020, with a major military confrontation resulting in significant casualties and the displacement of civilians on both sides.

International efforts to broker a peace agreement, such as the mediation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), have so far been unsuccessful. The situation remains tense, with both Armenia and Azerbaijan accusing each other of violating the ceasefire and continuing military operations.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has significant regional and international implications, with various powers, including Russia and Turkey, taking sides and providing military and political support to the conflicting parties. Finding a lasting political solution remains a major challenge.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, has a long history of conflict and civil war, with various ethnic groups vying for control and autonomy. The conflict has its roots in the country’s colonial history, as well as competition over resources and political power.

In recent years, the conflict has escalated, with ethnic armed groups, such as the Rohingya in Rakhine State, facing violence and persecution from the military and government. The Rohingya crisis, in particular, has gained international attention and led to widespread criticism of the Myanmar government for its treatment of the Rohingya people, including allegations of ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses.

The conflict in Myanmar has resulted in significant displacement of civilians and widespread human suffering, with many people living in refugee camps both inside and outside the country. Efforts to end the conflict through diplomatic means, such as negotiations between the government and ethnic armed groups, have so far been unsuccessful, and the situation remains tense.

The conflict in Myanmar has regional and international implications, with various actors, such as China, India, and the United States, taking sides and providing support to the conflicting parties. Finding a lasting political solution remains a major challenge.

The Tigray conflict is a recent conflict in Ethiopia that began in November 2020. The conflict involves the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which ruled Ethiopia for many years, and the Ethiopian government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The conflict was sparked by a disagreement between the TPLF and the federal government over the holding of regional elections in Tigray. Tensions escalated into armed conflict, with the Ethiopian military launching a military operation against TPLF forces in the region.

The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, with reports of widespread human rights abuses, including forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence. The conflict has also had a major impact on the humanitarian situation in Tigray, with millions of people in need of assistance.

Efforts to end the conflict through diplomatic means have so far been unsuccessful, and the situation remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire and continuing military operations. The conflict has significant regional and international implications, with various actors, such as Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt, taking sides and providing support to the conflicting parties. Finding a lasting political solution remains a major challenge.

Somalia has been in a state of conflict for several decades, with various armed groups vying for control and power. The conflict has its roots in the country’s political and social instability, as well as competition over resources and territory.

In recent years, the conflict has been complicated by the rise of Islamist extremist groups, such as Al-Shabaab, which have carried out numerous attacks against the government and civilian population. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, as well as widespread human suffering.

The Somali government, with the support of the international community, has been trying to end the conflict and restore stability to the country. This has included efforts to strengthen the government’s security forces, as well as to negotiate with armed groups and political factions.

Despite these efforts, the situation remains tense, with Al-Shabaab continuing to carry out attacks and the government facing challenges in consolidating its control over the country. The conflict in Somalia has significant regional and international implications, with various actors, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United States, taking sides and providing support to the conflicting parties. Finding a lasting political solution remains a major challenge.

Kashmir is a region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, which has been the subject of a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of India in 1947. Both countries claim sovereignty over the region, which has been divided between them, with India controlling the majority of the territory and Pakistan controlling a smaller portion.

The conflict over Kashmir has resulted in multiple wars and ongoing violence, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire and engaging in military operations in the region. The situation in Kashmir has been further complicated by the presence of separatist movements and militant groups, which have been fighting for independence or greater autonomy from India.

The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, as well as widespread human rights abuses. The situation in Kashmir remains tense, with both India and Pakistan maintaining a strong military presence in the region and engaging in occasional skirmishes. The conflict in Kashmir has significant regional and international implications, with various actors, such as China, taking sides and providing support to the conflicting parties. Finding a lasting political solution remains a major challenge.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is a long-standing and complex conflict that dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The conflict revolves around the competing claims of Israelis and Palestinians over the land of Palestine, and their competing visions for the future of the region.

At its core, the conflict is about borders and sovereignty, with both Israelis and Palestinians seeking control over the same territory. The conflict has been marked by ongoing violence and military operations, as well as the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, which has been a major source of tension.

The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, as well as widespread human rights abuses. The situation in the region remains tense, with both sides engaging in occasional skirmishes and both Israel and Palestine facing significant security challenges.

Efforts to end the conflict through diplomatic means have so far been unsuccessful, with both sides unwilling to compromise on their core demands. The conflict in Israel-Palestine has significant regional and international implications, with various actors, such as the United States and Arab states, taking sides and providing support to the conflicting parties. Finding a lasting political solution remains a major challenge.

Venezuela is facing a major political and economic crisis, which has resulted in widespread poverty, food and medicine shortages, and a significant increase in crime and violence. The crisis has its roots in a combination of factors, including corruption, mismanagement, and the collapse of the country’s oil-dependent economy.

The crisis has been compounded by political divisions, with the government of President Nicolás Maduroans facing opposition from a coalition of political parties and civil society groups, which have been calling for political and economic reforms. The situation in Venezuela has been further complicated by the intervention of foreign powers, particularly the United States, which has imposed economic sanctions and supported the opposition in its efforts to remove the government from power.

The crisis in Venezuela has had significant regional and international implications, with neighboring countries struggling to deal with the influx of refugees and the regional instability caused by the conflict. The situation remains tense, with the government facing challenges in maintaining its control over the country and the opposition continuing to push for political change.

Finding a lasting solution to the crisis in Venezuela remains a major challenge, with both the government and the opposition unwilling to compromise and the involvement of foreign powers further complicating the situation. The crisis in Venezuela continues to have significant humanitarian and political implications, with the people of Venezuela facing significant hardship and the future of the country remains uncertain.

Sudan is a country in northeastern Africa that has been plagued by conflict for many years. Two of the most significant conflicts in Sudan are those in Darfur and South Kordofan.

The conflict in Darfur began in 2003 when ethnic minority groups in the region took up arms against the government, accusing it of neglect and marginalization. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, as well as widespread human rights abuses. The government has been accused of supporting Arab militias that have committed atrocities against ethnic minority groups in Darfur.

The conflict in South Kordofan began in 2011, when the government of Sudan attempted to disarm rebel groups in the region. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement, as well as widespread human rights abuses. The government has been accused of supporting Arab militias that have committed atrocities against ethnic minority groups in the region.

Both conflicts in Darfur and South Kordofan are characterized by a complex mix of political, economic, and ethnic factors, and finding a lasting solution remains a major challenge. The situation in both regions remains tense, with the government facing challenges in maintaining its control over the country and rebel groups continuing to push for greater autonomy or independence. The conflicts in Darfur and South Kordofan have significant regional and international implications, with various actors, such as the African Union and the United Nations, taking sides and providing support to the conflicting parties.