From the Mali-Niger borderlands to rural Gao – Tactical and geographical shifts of violence

Africa, Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Current Hotspots, Ethnic Militias, Focus On Militias, Fulani, Human Rights, Improvised Explosive Devices, Islamic State, Islamist Violence, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests, Violence Against Civilians
In late April and early May, six massacres took place in the Mali-Niger border corridor. Presumed militants of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) carried out massacres against the Dawsahak community.…

Humanitarian Targeting

Africa, Aid, Analysis, Asia, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Current Hotspots, Focus On Militias, Middle East, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Rioting And Protests, Unidentified Armed Groups, Vigilante Militias, Violence Against Civilians
In this infographic by ACLED Research Director, Dr. Roudabeh Kishi, we explore the question, “Where are humanitarian workers (aid workers, health workers, teachers) most at risk? (2017 – present).…

“Cutting the Head off the Snake” Saudi-led Coalition Gains Territory in Northwestern Yemen

Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Focus On Militias, Middle East, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests
With much of the international attention focusing on the renewed offensive on Al Hudaydah port city, the Saudi-led coalition is making important, albeit slower, territorial gains in Houthi strongholds in northwestern Yemen.…

Regional Overview – Africa 28 May 2018

ADF, Africa, Al Shabaab, Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Current Hotspots, Focus On Militias, Islamist Violence, Political Stability, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests, Violence Against Civilians
There were important developments in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, the DRC and Somalia on the week of May 20th. In Burkina Faso, the state forces likely thwarted another major attack by Islamist militants in the capital, Ouagadougou.…

Election Violence in Indian West Bengal

Analysis, Asia, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Elections, Rioting And Protests
The ruling Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) secured a comfortable victory in the 2018 West Bengal panchayat (village government) elections on May 14 in India. However, political violence and inadequate security arrangements during the election nomination and polling phases prevented opposition parties and citizens from fulfilling their democratic right to participate in free elections.…

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 Civilians
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.…

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 Civilians
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.…