On 3 May 2019, Syrian regime forces launched a ground offensive in the opposition-held greater Idleb area. The campaign, backed by the Russian Air Force and various pro-regime militias, focuses on parts of Hama, Idleb, Aleppo, and Lattakia. The multi-pronged offensive was designed to overwhelm opposition forces to consolidate the regime’s territorial gains: these gains…
Last week in the Middle East there were a number of developments with on-going conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Tensions between Iran and the US continue to be a focal point of concern over the potential for armed escalation in the region. In Syria, clashes continued at a lower rate between rebels and Islamist…
The key trends in Asia last week included: challenges against the Afghan government by the Taliban in strategic districts and cities; fighting between state forces and domestic armed groups in Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar; election violence in India and Pakistan; and communal violence and tensions in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Sri…
Last week, Kosovo’s Prime Minister resigned after being summoned for questioning by a war crimes court in The Hague. In Russia, anti-government protests against the exclusion of opposition candidates from the Moscow city council elections increased. In Ukraine, an agreement was reached on an indefinite ceasefire in the Donbass region starting from 21 July; nevertheless,…
Key developments in Africa during the week of July 14th include continued violence in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while attacks spread into new territories in Burkina Faso. In Ethiopia, security forces violently dispersed demonstrations. In Cameroon, despite on-going mediation efforts by Switzerland, Ambazonian Separatist and military forces continued to clash in the Nord-Ouest…
Last week, protests were staged in Russia over the exclusion of opposition candidates in the Moscow city council elections. In Greece, the snap parliamentary elections that took place on July 7 are regarded as one of the calmest in recent years. In Ukraine, protests and violence increased before the upcoming parliamentary elections. In the Donbass…
Last week in the Middle East region, Iranian and Turkish military operations against Kurdish armed groups intensified, while ‘Operation Will of Victory’ was launched in Iraq to target the remnants of the Islamic State (IS). The IS insurgency also continued in Syria, with a number of high profile bombings occurring in the east. Meanwhile, overall…
The key trends in Asia this week include: a decrease in organized violence and fatalities in Afghanistan; fighting between state forces and domestic armed groups in Pakistan, Thailand and Myanmar; election violence in India and Pakistan; increasing communal tensions in India and Sri Lanka; and attacks on civilians in Vietnam and the Philippines. In Afghanistan,…
Key developments in Africa during the week of July 7th include clashes in the Central African Republic, Boko Haram activity in the Lake Chad area, a deadly attack by al Shabaab in Somalia, and violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Nigeria. This week, clashes erupted in the Central African Republic’s capital city of…
In this infographic, ACLED Research Analyst Hilary Matfess tracks recent attacks targeting political figures in Ethiopia and explores their potential impact on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s reform agenda. © 2019 Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). All rights reserved.