Top Ongoing Wars and Conflicts in the World Today
Conflict and war have challenged humanity for thousands of years and continue to shape the world we live in. With the emergence of a new century, the global events and geopolitical landscape have continued to change at a rapid pace. This has made it difficult for the world to identify and come up with a solution for the many arduous conflicts happening around us.
As a result, many countries are still locked in long-term war or are undergoing a long period of extreme civil unrest. With that in mind, here is an overview of the top ongoing wars and conflicts happening in the world today.
Syria
The Syrian Civil War has been going on since March 2011 and has been devastating the region since then. It began when peaceful protests against the government started to turn violent and a full-scale civil war ensued. The conflict involves government forces and rebels, along with jihadist groups such as Islamic State and Nusra Front. Currently, many parts of Syria have suffered severe damage and the death toll is estimated to be over 500,000 people.
Yemen
The war in Yemen has been going on since 2015 and has been a high-intensity conflict. It is a conflict between the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government, supported by the United States and other nations. It started when the Houthis seized the capital of Sana’a and proceeded to oust the government. The conflict has resulted in what is now the world’s worst humanitarian crisis and has seen a devastating level of civilian casualties and disruption to essential services.
Ukraine
The ongoing unrest in Eastern Ukraine has been a major conflict since 2014 and there is no sign of it stopping yet. It began when President Viktor Yanukovych’s government was overthrown and a pro-Russian uprising took over in the east of the country. This led to a military intervention from Russia, sparking off a war between the two sides. The battles have caused major loss of life on both sides of the border and strain the relationship between Russia and the West.
Afghanistan
The conflict in Afghanistan has been a major war for nearly 20 years. It began with the US invasion in 2001 to overthrow the ruling Taliban who had previously given shelter to Osama Bin Laden and the al-Qaeda terror organization. It is now a full-fledged war between the Taliban and government forces, with foreign forces supporting in a limited capacity. The conflict has been characterized by heavy civilian casualties and a lack of progress in coming to a realistic peace agreement.
Iraq
The conflict in Iraq has been ongoing since 2014 and is still very much in a state of flux. The war began when ISIS militant forces took control of large parts of the country and imposed an oppressive rule in the region. The Iraqi military and its allied forces have since fought a long battle to push back the militants and reclaim their territory, but the conflict is not over yet and both sides still remain in a state of tension.
South Sudan
The civil war in South Sudan was officially declared in 2013 and has been a devastating conflict ever since. It began when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy turned rebel commander, Riek Machar, of attempting a coup. Since then, Africa’s newest nation has seen a vicious war of attrition with both sides taking control of and fighting for control of the oil rich region. The conflict has left millions of civilians displaced and in need of humanitarian aid.
Myanmar
The Rohingya conflict in Myanmar has been going on since 2017 and is the country’s most pressing ethical and security crisis by a long way. The conflict began when the government of Myanmar forced a mass exodus of the Rohingya population from their homes in Rakhine state. In response, Rohingya militants launched a coordinated attack on government forces, leading to increased violence in the region. To date, almost 1 million Rohingya have fled Myanmar, taking refuge in Bangladesh, India and other neighboring countries.
Libya
The Libyan Civil War has been ongoing since 2014 and is a complex conflict involving various international players. It began as a result of the Arab Spring movement and the unrest that followed the ousting of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. As a result, two rival governments declared themselves in control of Libya, along with a wide array of rebel and militia groups fighting for control. The war has caused massive damage to infrastructure and has resulted in severe human losses throughout the region.
Nigeria
The conflict in Nigeria has been ongoing since 2009 and involves a wide array of militant and insurgent groups. These groups have caused a lot of chaos and disruption to the region’s oil infrastructure and to other industries. The militant group Boko Haram is the most prominent group in this conflict, having caused massive damage and instability in the region. The Nigerian government is struggling to respond to the many threats it faces, but progress has been slow so far.
Somalia
The war in Somalia has been going on for decades and has caused extensive destruction and displacement in the country. It began in the early 90s when a civil war broke out between rival clans and escalated over the years, with many militant groups taking control of parts of the country. To date, the conflict remains ongoing and many militant groups remain a major threat to the stability of the nation. The conflict is worsened by famine, floods and other natural disasters that continue to ravage the country.
These are the top ongoing wars and conflicts happening in the world today. Each is a complex issue with various factors at play and many people affected by the turmoil they are experiencing. As such, the need for a solution that would bring peace to all these regions is greater than ever. We can only hope that in time, a solution can be reached that would bring about an end to the bloodshed and social instability in these war-torn lands.
Although it seems like a tall order given all the diversified interests and actors of each conflict, the only way would be an agreed upon resolution that respects the views and rights of all sides. The international community can aid these regions by bringing an end to arms sales and donations as well as by helping to integrate the affected areas in trade, education, and development efforts.
Ultimately, real progress must come from within the war-torn countries and from the people closest to the conflict. All we can do is be prepared to offer our help and perhaps contribute to the peacebuilding process in those regions in whatever way we can.
