A car is seen damaged after recent Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 20, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP
The year 2024 was marked by a series of international conflicts that challenged geopolitical landscapes and global stability. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to escalating tensions in the Middle East, the year witnessed shifting alliances and devastating military campaigns. The ripple effects of these crises extended far beyond their immediate regions, influencing diplomatic relations and strategic priorities worldwide. This article delves into the key conflicts that defined the year, tracing their evolution and impact on the global stage.
The year began with Russia continuing its 2022 war against Ukraine in a purported move to stop the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) expansion towards its borders. Three months earlier, in October 2023, the militant group Hamas launched an assault in Gaza, killing more than 1,000 people and triggering massive retaliation from Israel against Palestine.
As the war raged on, Israel’s fight extended to other areas against Iranian proxies, of which Hamas is one. Houthi rebels in Yemen intercepted and attacked ships and other vessels they identified as aiding Israel. Hezbollah militants in Lebanon exchanged fire with Israel at the border.
In September, Israel targeted Hezbollah’s paging devices, killing dozens and injuring hundreds in a spiraling regional escalation. A ceasefire deal in November cooled regional tensions. However, Syrian rebels launched lightning offensives against the Iran-backed Assad government and toppled his regime, triggering a fresh bout of violence.
With the victory of Donald Trump in November’s U.S. presidential polls, Ukraine’s much-needed American backing is liable to change. This marks a turning point in the war. Meanwhile, the Iranian proxies stand weakened in the region, allowing Israel the space to further strengthen its regional position.
We take a look at how these international conflicts and others have evolved through the year.
Global battlegrounds
The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) database records every conflict event and the associated fatalities. With this data, the Conflict Index is prepared. The Index ranks each country based on four parameters – Deadliness (number of fatalities), Danger (number of events of violence against civilians), Diffusion (how widespread the violence is) and Fragmentation (Number of non-state armed, organised groups).
Based on these parameters, each country is given a conflict category and ranking.
For the 12 months preceding December 12, 2024, 10 countries were categorised as extreme-conflict countries. These are – Palestine, Myanmar, Syria, Mexico, Nigeria, Brazil, Lebanon, Sudan, Cameroon and Colombia.
Shift from Afghanistan to Ukraine and Palestine
As the year draws to a close, both new and ongoing wars have resulted in surging deaths across conflict zones. From January 1 to December 13 this year, over 200,000 people were killed in battles, explosions, remote violence, and violence against civilians.
Approximately half of this toll comes primarily from three countries: Ukraine, Palestine, and Myanmar.
In previous years, Afghanistan accounted for a significant proportion of conflict-related deaths, particularly leading up to the Taliban’s takeover of the government. However, in the past two years, fatalities from Ukraine and Palestine have made up a substantial share of the death toll. Meanwhile, following a military coup that overthrew the government in Myanmar, the country has also contributed significantly to recent years’ rising fatality figures.
Impact on civilians
One of the most troubling aspects of the conflicts over the past year has been the increasing number of fatalities resulting from targeted violence against civilians. In 2024, an average of around 5,500 fatalities per month were reported due to such violence, up from approximately 5,300 per month in 2023 and about 3,100 per month in 2020.
ACLED’s conflict exposure measures provide another lens to analyze the impact on civilians. These measures indicate the percentage of a country’s population living within 5 km of a conflict event. For example, while the absolute number of people exposed to conflict in Palestine and Lebanon is smaller compared to other countries, the percentage of the population affected is significantly higher, highlighting the more pervasive nature of conflict in these regions.
As the year ends, these crises serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international diplomacy, conflict resolution, and humanitarian intervention. Without sustained efforts to address these issues, the cycle of violence risks perpetuating instability and suffering well into the future.
Published – December 26, 2024 12:38 pm IST
