Global Armed Conflicts Surge to Highest Levels Since World War II
2024 marks unprecedented levels of armed conflicts, with significant civilian casualties as reported by researchers from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program.
UPPSALA: In 2024, the number of armed conflicts worldwide has reached its highest level since World War II, according to researchers from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) based at Uppsala University in Sweden.
Last year, 61 interstate conflicts were reported, including 11 wars where civilians faced heightened dangers.
Civilians were not merely collateral damage but were also victims of targeted attacks, as highlighted by Swedish researchers.
Approximately 160,000 people globally died as a result of organized violence last year, marking the fifth highest number of casualties since 1989. Among the 11 conflicts classified as wars are territorial disputes such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel's bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamas attacks, Israeli actions against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, clashes with the Islamic State in Nigeria, and the conflict in Ethiopia.
Additionally, power struggles are reported in Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria.
"We are witnessing more wars and conflicts than before, although with slightly fewer fatalities compared to the exceptionally bloody year of 2022. Nonetheless, 2024 has been recorded as the fourth most violent year since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. In Gaza, only 2% of deaths could be classified as members of warring parties, while 48% of casualties were recorded as civilians," stated Sean Davis, a senior analyst at UCDP.
In 2024, 13,900 civilians died from intentional attacks, a 31% increase compared to 2023.
The terrorist group Islamic State was responsible for the highest number of these civilian casualties, accounting for around 3,800 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Last year, 61 interstate conflicts were reported, including 11 wars where civilians faced heightened dangers.
Civilians were not merely collateral damage but were also victims of targeted attacks, as highlighted by Swedish researchers.
Approximately 160,000 people globally died as a result of organized violence last year, marking the fifth highest number of casualties since 1989. Among the 11 conflicts classified as wars are territorial disputes such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel's bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamas attacks, Israeli actions against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, clashes with the Islamic State in Nigeria, and the conflict in Ethiopia.
Additionally, power struggles are reported in Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria.
"We are witnessing more wars and conflicts than before, although with slightly fewer fatalities compared to the exceptionally bloody year of 2022. Nonetheless, 2024 has been recorded as the fourth most violent year since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. In Gaza, only 2% of deaths could be classified as members of warring parties, while 48% of casualties were recorded as civilians," stated Sean Davis, a senior analyst at UCDP.
In 2024, 13,900 civilians died from intentional attacks, a 31% increase compared to 2023.
The terrorist group Islamic State was responsible for the highest number of these civilian casualties, accounting for around 3,800 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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