As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, several countries worldwide were experiencing armed conflicts, tensions, or military interventions. However, it is important to note that conflicts can be complex, multi-faceted, and constantly evolving and that the situation on the ground can change rapidly. It is also worth noting that while I can provide an overview of current conflicts, it is impossible to provide a comprehensive list of every country with a current conflict.
One of the most well-known and protracted conflicts in recent years has been the Syrian civil war. The conflict began in 2011 as a popular uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, but has since escalated into a multifaceted conflict involving multiple state and non-state actors. As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, the conflict was still ongoing, with several parties vying for control over different parts of the country. The Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, was fighting against rebel groups and extremist organizations like ISIS and al-Qaeda. Meanwhile, Kurdish groups were fighting for greater autonomy in northern Syria, and Turkish forces had intervened to counter the Kurdish fighters they viewed as a threat.
Another ongoing conflict is the Yemeni Civil War, which began in 2015 when Houthi rebels seized the capital city of Sana’a and overthrew the government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. The conflict quickly escalated into a regional proxy war, with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states intervening on behalf of the Yemeni government, and Iran providing support to the Houthi rebels. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands of people killed and millions displaced or facing famine and disease.
In Afghanistan, the United States had been involved in a conflict with the Taliban since 2001, after the terrorist attacks on September 11th. As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, the United States was in the process of withdrawing its troops from the country, but the situation remained volatile, with the Taliban regaining territory and the Afghan government struggling to maintain control.
In Africa, there were several ongoing conflicts, including in Somalia, where the government and African Union troops were fighting against the militant group al-Shabaab. In Mali, the government was fighting against Islamist militants in the north of the country, while in Nigeria, the government was fighting against the terrorist group Boko Haram.
The conflict in Ukraine, which began in 2014 after the Ukrainian government was overthrown in a popular uprising, continued to simmer as of my knowledge cutoff in 2021. The conflict pitted Ukrainian government forces against Russian-backed separatists in the eastern region of the country, and had resulted in thousands of deaths and displacement.
In the Middle East, there were ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine, with periodic flare-ups of violence. In recent years, Israel has also conducted military operations in Syria to counter Iranian influence and the presence of Hezbollah militants.
Other conflicts and tensions around the world included the ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir, tensions between North and South Korea, and the conflict in Libya, which had been ongoing since 2011 and involved multiple factions vying for power.
It is worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list, and that conflicts can be fluid and ever-changing. Additionally, while some conflicts may not meet the technical definition of a “war,” they can still have a significant impact on people’s lives and security.