Ongoing Wars in the world

 Ongoing Wars in the world

List them all. And brief the main cause of each war.

Below is a list of major ongoing armed conflicts in 2025, based on available data from sources like the Council on Foreign Relations, International Crisis Group, ACLED, and others. Each conflict is identified with its primary location and a brief explanation of its main cause. This list focuses on conflicts with significant violence (at least 100 direct deaths annually, per Uppsala Conflict Data Program criteria) and excludes lower-intensity disputes or criminal violence without military/paramilitary involvement. Note that exact casualty figures and conflict statuses may evolve, and some conflicts may overlap or involve multiple actors.

Major Ongoing Wars in 2025

1. Russia-Ukraine War (Ukraine) Main Cause: Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following the 2014 annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Donbas, driven by geopolitical tensions, NATO expansion concerns, and Russian territorial ambitions.

2. Israel-Hamas War (Gaza Strip, Palestine) Main Cause: Escalation triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, killing 1,200 and taking hostages, rooted in decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict over territory, blockades, and mutual claims. Israel’s military response aims to dismantle Hamas.

3. Sudanese Civil War (Sudan) Main Cause: Power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, following tensions after the 2019 ouster of Omar al-Bashir, compounded by ethnic and resource conflicts.

4. Myanmar Civil War (Myanmar)

Main Cause: Military coup in February 2021 ousting the elected government, sparking resistance from ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces, rooted in longstanding ethnic tensions and military dominance.

5. M23 Rebellion (Democratic Republic of Congo) Main Cause: Resurgence of the M23 rebel group since 2022, backed allegedly by Rwanda, fighting Congolese forces over control of eastern DRC, driven by ethnic disputes, resource competition, and regional power dynamics.

6. Syrian Civil War (Syria) Main Cause: Reignited in late 2024 after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, with non-state groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seizing control, rooted in 2011 anti-government protests, sectarian divides, and foreign interventions.

7. Sahel Insurgency (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria) Main Cause: Jihadist groups (e.g., Boko Haram, ISIS affiliates) exploit weak governance, ethnic tensions, and resource scarcity, fighting government forces and regional militias, with roots in post-2011 Libya instability.

8. Yemeni Houthi Conflict (Yemen, Red Sea) Main Cause: Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, continue attacks (e.g., Red Sea shipping) in support of Palestinian causes, stemming from Yemen’s civil war since 2014, driven by sectarian and political power struggles.

9. Mexican Cartel Conflict (Mexico) Main Cause: Rival cartels (e.g., Sinaloa) fight for control of drug trafficking routes and illicit markets, fueled by U.S. drug demand and weak state control, with violence resembling civil war since 2006.

10. Ethiopian Conflict (Amhara and Other Regions) Main Cause: Tensions between the Ethiopian government and regional militias (e.g., Amhara Fano) after the 2020 Tigray War, driven by ethnic rivalries, political exclusion, and disputes over federal power.

11. Haitian Gang Conflict (Haiti) Main Cause: Gangs control significant territory amid state collapse, fighting for power and resources, exacerbated by political instability following the 2021 assassination of President Moïse.

12. Somali Insurgency (Somalia) Main Cause: Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, wages jihad against the Somali government and African Union forces, rooted in clan rivalries, weak governance, and ideological extremism.

13. Islamic State Insurgency in Puntland (Somalia) Main Cause: Islamic State affiliates conduct attacks against local authorities, driven by ideological goals to establish a caliphate, exploiting regional instability.

14. Casamance Conflict (Senegal) Main Cause: Separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance seeks independence, fueled by ethnic and economic marginalization, with low-intensity violence persisting since the 1980s.

15. Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Clashes (Pakistan) Main Cause: Cross-border tensions with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, driven by disputes over border fencing and support for insurgent groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

16. Kashmir Insurgency (India-Pakistan) Main Cause: Ongoing dispute over Kashmir’s status, with militant groups fighting Indian forces, rooted in territorial claims and ethnic-religious tensions since 1947.

17. Free Papua Movement Insurgency (Indonesia) Main Cause: Separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) seeks independence, driven by ethnic grievances, resource exploitation, and historical marginalization.

18. Israel-Iran War (2025) Status: Ongoing, escalated significantly on June 13, 2025.

Main Cause: The conflict stems from Israel's preemptive airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets, codenamed "Operation Rising Lion," aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Israel views Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat, citing intelligence that Iran was close to assembling a nuclear bomb. Tensions have been fueled by decades-long enmity, Iran’s support for anti-Israel groups (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis), and prior proxy conflicts. Iran’s retaliation with missile and drone attacks on Israel has escalated the situation into direct warfare.

Key Details:

Israeli Actions: On June 13, 2025, Israel launched over 200 airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear sites (Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan), ballistic missile bases, and military command centers, killing senior Iranian military leaders (e.g., IRGC commander Hossein Salami, Armed Forces Chief Mohammad Bagheri) and nuclear scientists (e.g., Fereydoon Abbasi, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi). Strikes also hit energy infrastructure and civilian areas, with Iran reporting 224 deaths, including civilians. Israel claims the strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program by years. Iranian Response: Iran retaliated with hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israeli cities (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem), killing at least 14 and injuring dozens. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a “harsh response,” and Iranian officials accused the U.S. of complicity. Iran’s air defenses were reportedly ineffective, exposing vulnerabilities.

Regional and Global Impact: The conflict risks a broader regional war, with Iran threatening U.S. bases and allies like the Houthis launching missiles at Israel. U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman were canceled, and world leaders (e.g., UN, UK, Saudi Arabia) urge de-escalation. The U.S. denies direct involvement but provided intelligence support.

Context: The war builds on a history of proxy conflicts, including Iran’s support for Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and Israel’s operations against Iranian-backed groups in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Iran’s uranium enrichment to near-weapons-grade levels (60%) and IAEA non-compliance findings in 2025 heightened Israeli concerns.

This conflict is distinct from the Israel-Hamas war but intertwined due to Iran’s backing of Hamas. For further details on specific strikes, casualties, or international responses, let me know!

Notes Scope: This list includes conflicts with at least 100 direct violent deaths annually, categorized as wars (1,000+ deaths) or lesser conflicts (100–999 deaths) per Uppsala criteria. Minor clashes or protests without systematic violence are excluded.

Causes: Conflicts often have multiple causes (e.g., economic, ethnic, geopolitical), but the primary driver is highlighted for brevity. Transnational Nature: Many conflicts (e.g., Middle East, Sahel) involve foreign actors or spillovers, complicating resolution. Data Limitations: Exact casualty figures and conflict statuses may vary due to underreporting or propaganda. Sources like ACLED and IRC provide estimates but may not capture all dynamics. If you need details on specific conflicts, casualty figures, or sources, let me know!

3 𝕏 posts

25 web pages

5.1s Israel - Iran war