5 Hidden Conflicts in the Middle East: #1 Shiite Discontent in Bahrain & Ash Sharqiyah Region of Saudi Arabia

In this series of infographics, ACLED’s Research Analyst, Melissa Pavlik, explores 5 hidden or under-reported conflicts across the Middle East. The first is Shiite Discontent in Bahrain & Ash Sharqiyah Region of Saudi Arabia (2017 – Present).…

One Year of Battles in the Yemeni Civil War

Despite the sense of widespread disorder conveyed by the dominant narrative on Yemen, the frontlines of the war pitting forces of the (former) Houthi-Saleh alliance against those loyal to the internationally-recognised government have largely remained static over the past year.…

The Northeastern Front of the Yemeni Civil War

In the east of the capital Sana’a, battles between pro-Hadi and Houthi forces have raged almost incessantly since the beginning of the civil war. This battlefront, which stretches across the predominantly tribal regions of Al Jawf, Sana’a and Ma’rib, constitutes one of the most violent conflict environments in Yemen, with more than 7,700 fatalities recorded by ACLED between January 2017 and March 2018.…

Violence in Syria’s De-Escalation Zones

On 6 May 2017, during the Astana De-Escalation Agreement talks, Russia, Iran, and Turkey agreed to establish what they called ‘de-escalation zones’ in Syria (Al Jazeera, 2017). These zones were to be located in four stretches of territory still controlled by opposition forces in 1) Idleb, northeast Lattakia, areas of Aleppo, and northern Hama provinces 2) Northern Homs governorate 3) the Eastern Ghouta region of Rural Damascus and 4) Dar’a and Quneitra provinces.…

Airstrikes in Syria: The Regimes Renewed Mode of Violence

A feature of modern conflict is the frequent usage of airstrikes. Airwars (an ACLED partner) notes that Coalition and Russian airstrikes have declined since the last quarter of 2017 (while the preceding three quarters showed very high activity).[1]…

The Southeastern Front of the Yemeni Civil War

After the fall of Sana’a in September 2014, forces of the Houthi-Saleh alliance seized territory south of the capital with relative ease. The Houthis managed to briefly overtake Aden by the summer of 2015, before being ousted by local militia groups and forced to retreat north.…