During the first week of September, clashes erupted in the Central African Republic while violence persisted in Nigeria and Cameroon. Protests and violent demonstrations against xenophobic attacks in South Africa were held in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. There was a surge in fighting in the Central African Republic this week. Clashes broke…
Key developments took place during the month of August in Syria and Yemen where major territorial exchanges occurred, and high numbers of civilian fatalities were reported. Islamic State (IS) activity also rose in both countries, while in Iraq, IS activity has decreased. The Israeli air force was also active in Syria, Lebanon, and, allegedly, Iraq.…
In August, with Europeans on their summer vacations, there was a significant drop in the number of reported events in most countries in the region; this is similar to last year’s vacation period. The notable exception was in Russia where protests flared up after irregularities in the Moscow local elections were reported. While in Ukraine,…
In South and Southeast Asia, the past month has been marked by: intensifying tensions in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) following the Indian central government’s decision to end J&K’s special status; escalated battles in Shan state in Myanmar; a rise in armed clashes and violence against civilians in Afghanistan; and lastly, protests and riots in Indonesia…
Key developments in Africa during the month of August include continued attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces on civilians and military forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo and sustained violence in the Lake Chad region and Somalia. Sudan’s political transition is moving forward despite pockets of opposition. During the month of August, the Allied…
Natural disasters — such as hurricanes, floods, and tsunamis — are often used as an impetus for massive policy shifts and redistribution of state resources. Often, sudden changes of government expenditure may contribute to public frustration, particularly when a state’s response to an emergency is seen as ineffective. Indeed, a commonly cited cause for public…
In our special report on 10 conflicts to worry about in 2019, ACLED assessed the state of political violence and protest across critical flashpoints in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing both an overview of 2018’s developments and a preview of what to watch for in the new year. Our Mid-Year Update revisits these…
Last week, a leading member of Rouvikonas — Greece’s major anarchist group, responsible for dozens of violent incidents in Athens — was detained. In Russia, protests over the exclusion of opposition candidates from the Moscow city council elections culminated in one of the largest crackdowns in recent years. In Ukraine, the new ceasefire agreement significantly…
The key trends in South and Southeast Asia last week include: continued territorial gains and urban violence by militant groups in Afghanistan; fighting between state forces and domestic armed groups in Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar; electoral violence in Pakistan and India; and a surge in mob lynchings over child trafficking rumors in India…
In the Middle East last week, there were a number of developments with on-going conflicts in Syria and Yemen. Other events that are likely to influence regional dynamics include the Turkish crackdown on migrants, executions in Bahrain, and home demolitions in Palestine. In Syria, Israel carried out airstrikes against regime and Hezbollah positions in Quneitra…