Blog - Page 282 of 330

Alleged Chemical Incidents in Syria

Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Current Hotspots, Ethnic Militias, Focus On Militias, Government Repression, Middle East, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Remote Violence, Unidentified Armed Groups, Vigilante Militias, Violence Against CiviliansBy Kars de Bruijne 18 May 2018

Chemical incidents have perhaps been the only consistent factor shaping the United States’ position on the civil war in Syria before and after Trump’s election. A chemical attack on Eastern Ghouta in August 2013 prompted an imminent attack, led by the Obama administration.… Details

Elections and Sectarianism in Iraq and Lebanon

Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Elections, Middle East, Political Stability, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests, Violence Against CiviliansBy Lauren Blaxter 17 May 2018

Since the beginning of May 2018, voters in both Lebanon and Iraq have gone to the polls in historic elections. There have been concerns that these elections could spark violence amongst the participating actors due to sectarian tensions and the divisive political landscapes in these countries — as well as pressures from the Syrian Civil War and conflict with the Islamic State (IS).… Details

The Many Sides of International Peacekeeping in Africa

Africa, AMISOM, Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Ethnic Militias, Focus On Militias, Islamic State, Islamist Violence, Peacekeeping, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Rioting And Protests, Unidentified Armed Groups, Violence Against CiviliansBy Roudabeh Kishi 17 May 2018

Of the fourteen United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions currently active around the world, half are based on the African continent. Of these, five—those in Somalia[1], Mali, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo– have ongoing or recently renewed mandates, and a force of over 10,000 personnel, including soldiers and police.… Details

Violence in Bangui, Central African Republic

Africa, Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Ethnic Militias, Focus On Militias, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Rioting And Protests, Unidentified Armed Groups, Vigilante Militias, Violence Against CiviliansBy Giovanni Zanoletti 16 May 2018

Since the beginning of April there has been a dramatic escalation of violence in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic[1]. Most of this activity has been focused in the PK5 or KM5 neighbourhood – a Muslim area that is considered the economic heart of the city.… Details

Conflict Activity in South Sudan

Africa, Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Focus On Militias, Peacekeeping, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Violence Against CiviliansBy ACLED 16 May 2018

Following the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on 21 December 2017, conflict activity in South Sudan has reduced. This period in South Sudan corresponds the dry season, when the conflict is usually expected to resume (ACLED, November 2017), however, the totals of monthly fatalities since the agreement have remained significantly lower than in the same period last year (see Figure 1).… Details

Violence Against Civilians in Afghanistan: The Taliban and the Islamic State

Analysis, Asia, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Focus On Militias, Improvised Explosive Devices, Islamic State, Islamist Violence, Political Stability, Violence Against CiviliansBy Tom Hart 16 May 2018

Late last month in Kabul, an Islamic State (IS) suicide bomber detonated himself outside of a voter registration centre in the predominantly Shiite neighbourhood of Dasht-e-Barchi. At least 69 civilians were reportedly killed and another 120 were reportedly injured in the blast (Pajhwok, 23 April 2018).… Details

The Crisis in Socotra

Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Focus On Militias, Middle East, Peacekeeping, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Rioting And Protests, United Nations, Violence Against CiviliansBy Andrea Carboni 16 May 2018

Over the past weeks, Socotra has been the site of an unprecedented wave of demonstrations denouncing the militarisation of the island and the encroaching presence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).… Details

Regional Overview – Africa 14 May 2018

Africa, Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Current Hotspots, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests, Violence Against CiviliansBy Margaux Pinaud 15 May 2018

Political violence and protest events in Africa over the week of May 6th showed several key developments and points of concern. First, attacks hit Burundi and Nigeria, confirming recent warnings of an escalation of the violence in these countries.… Details

Regional Overview – Asia 14 May 2018

Analysis, Asia, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Current Hotspots, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests, Violence Against CiviliansBy Daniela Pollmann 15 May 2018

Levels of political violence and protest events decreased throughout South and Southeast Asian. From a country perspective, the levels of political violence levels dropped most significantly – by 37% – in Afghanistan, yet remained static in India and slightly increased in Pakistan.… Details

Regional Overview – Middle East 14 May 2018

Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Current Hotspots, Middle East, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests, Violence Against CiviliansBy Matt Fleugel-Carew 15 May 2018

Both Lebanon and Iraq held elections last week, with the number of riots and protests as well as election-related violence rising, respectively, in each case. Demonstrations in Iran were focused on “Teacher’s Week” while a smaller subset of demonstrations were focused on the United States’ pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal.… Details