Across the Middle East, riots and protests increased last week amid a worsening economic crisis aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic. This trend was driven mainly by increased demonstrations in Lebanon, Israel, and Iraq, while anti-regime protests also took place in Syria. The Iraqi military and global coalition forces increased airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS)…
Over the last two weeks in the Middle East, political violence and demonstration activity generally decreased across the region, likely due to the end of the holy month of Ramadan and coronavirus-related restrictions. Key developments include: a significant increase in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, as well as Houthi retaliation; demonstrations over shortages…
Despite the pandemic, the Turkish military has intensified operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Turkey as well as Iraq. ACLED Research Analyst Adam Miller charts the rising violence. This infographic is part of our special CDT Spotlight series. © 2020 Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). All rights reserved.
Last week in the Middle East, key developments include: reduced fighting between Houthi and pro-Hadi forces in Yemen amid the coronavirus outbreak, but increased fighting between pro-Southern Transitional Council (STC) and pro-Hadi forces around the city of Zinjibar; a return to mass demonstrations in Iraq; increased Islamic State (IS) activity in Iraq and Syria; continued…
Political violence and demonstrations decreased across the Middle East last week. Though demonstrations increased in Iraq and Iran, the uptick was not enough to offset the overall downward trend. Meanwhile, Islamic State (IS) attacks in Iraq and Syria continued to rise, indicating that instability and anti-coronavirus measures in both countries are likely allowing the group…
Last week, more demonstrations were reported across the Middle East than in any week since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in early March. Islamic State (IS) activity continued to rise in Iraq, while clashes flared over control of the island of Socotra in Yemen. Though the spike in demonstrations was fueled in part by…
Across the Middle East, relatively few battles, explosions, and remote violence events were reported last week. However, demonstrations increased around the region, including in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, and Palestine. Attacks against civilians also increased in Syria, Yemen, and Palestine. In Yemen, on the evening of 25 April 2020, the Southern Transitional Council (STC)…
Last week in the Middle East key developments include: continued Islamic State (IS) attacks in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria; a significant decline in remote violence in Syria; increased protests in Lebanon and Iran; and escalating tensions between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf. Although Saudi Arabia announced a two-week unilateral ceasefire in Yemen…
Across the Middle East, events related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to dominate the news cycle, with restrictions now implemented in most countries aimed at preventing and containing the spread of the coronavirus. Aside from coronavirus-related protests, the key development in the region last week was increased Islamic State (IS) activity in Yemen, Iraq, and…
Over the last six months there have been a number of significant updates to the political situation in Iraq as it grapples with the pressure of the October Revolution protest movement as well as foreign interference from the United States (US) and Iran. While the political context has changed substantially, the movement’s core demands remain…