Targeting of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS)
French forces of ‘Operation Barkhane’ aided by local militias step up operations against ‘Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.’ Since early February 2018, French forces of Operation Barkhane, aided by a coalition of local militias including the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) and the Tuareg Imghad and Allies Self-defence Group (GATIA), have intensified operations targeting Islamist militants in the Gao and Menaka regions of north-eastern Mali (see Figure 1).… Details
Regional Overview – Asia 19 March 2018
There was not a significant change in the levels of political violence and protests in South and Southeast Asia during the week of March 11, with the exception of Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, the number of military operations against the Islamic State, as well as the number of reported fatalities stemming from these operations, increased last week compared to the week prior.… Details
Regional Overview – Middle East 19 March 2018
Last week, new dynamics in political violence involving the Islamic State (IS) were reported in Iraq and Yemen, while notable events of political violence or protest dynamics were also recorded in Israel, Iran, and Palestine.… Details
Regional Overview – Africa 19 March 2018
The week of 11 March has been particularly brutal for civilians in Africa’s largest countries. Dozens of attacks on civilians by non-state armed groups reflected the mounting political tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).… Details
Democratic Republic of Congo Analysis
Political violence in DR-Congo continues to be shaped by ADF activity: on March 3rd, 7 people were killed in Eringiti, close to the location where ADF launched an offensive that killed more than a dozen MONUSCO soldiers towards the end of last year.… Details
Loyalist Militia Involvement in Battles in Syria
Since the beginning of the Syrian Civil War, the Assad regime’s army has faced a manpower issue due to defection and desertion. It has partially solved this problem by fostering and allying with loyalist militias, both domestic and foreign, in order to defend and recapture territory in Syria.… Details
Anti-Muslim Violence in Sri Lanka
In post-civil war Sri Lanka (2009-2018), communal violence erupted along the religious division of the Muslim-Buddhist fault line. The growth of nationalist Sinhalese-Buddhist organizations – such as Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) – combined with a political environment of impunity have led to an increase in the number of attacks on the Muslim minority community (Aljazeera, 13 March 2018).… Details
The Hodeidah Front
The western front of the Yemeni civil war revolves around the port city of Hodeidah, currently the most important entry point for goods and humanitarian aid into central and northern Yemen, and the last port under Houthi control.… Details