The 10 Deadliest Conflicts in the World
As of December 2024, global conflict remains pervasive, with significant violence affecting numerous regions. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), conflict incidents increased by 12% in 2023 compared to 2022, and by over 40% since 2020. Approximately one in six people worldwide live in areas experiencing active conflict, with 168 out of 234 countries and territories reporting at least one conflict incident in 2023. ACLED recorded over 147,000 conflict events and at least 167,800 fatalities during that year.
Conflicts vary in intensity, frequency, and form. The ACLED Conflict Index assesses conflict levels based on four key indicators: deadliness, danger to civilians, geographic diffusion, and armed group fragmentation.
The following is an updated overview of ten of the deadliest conflicts worldwide, reflecting the most recent data available:
Israel-Palestine Conflict
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks on Israeli territory, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 5,400 injuries. In response, Israel conducted extensive military operations in Gaza, leading to over 44,000 Palestinian fatalities, including a significant number of women and children. The ongoing hostilities have caused widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis in the region.Ukraine Conflict
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has resulted in over 10,000 civilian deaths and more than 30,000 civilian casualties. The war has also led to significant displacement, with millions fleeing the country and many more internally displaced. The prolonged conflict continues to devastate communities and infrastructure across Ukraine.Syria
In late November 2024, insurgent groups, primarily Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a surprise offensive, breaching Aleppo's defenses and capturing key areas, including the historic Citadel and the Great Mosque. This marked the most significant escalation in the region since 2016. Syria's civil war continues to devastate the region, with over 500,000 deaths since 2011, including thousands in 2024 alone. The country suffers from overlapping conflicts, involving ISIS remnants, government forces, and international actors. More than 12 million Syrians remain displaced, and humanitarian access is severely limited.
Sudan
Sudan has experienced severe internal conflicts, particularly in the Darfur region, leading to nearly 15,000 deaths and over 8.2 million people displaced, marking it as the worst displacement crisis globally. The United Nations warns of a looming hunger crisis affecting more than 25 million people, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian aid. Despite international mediation attempts, ceasefire agreements have collapsed, intensifying violence across the country.Ethiopia
Following the Tigray War, Ethiopia continues to grapple with internal turmoil, leading to additional conflicts in regions like Amhara and Oromia. The Tigray War and ensuing humanitarian crisis claimed approximately 600,000 lives. Violence in Oromia has targeted ethnically Amhara areas, leading to mass displacements. Peace talks have faced obstacles, and government efforts to curb violence have not been entirely successful.Yemen
Yemen's conflict has transitioned to a phase with reduced direct fighting between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition. However, sporadic violence persists, and the country faces a dire humanitarian crisis, with 21.6 million people needing aid and over 4.5 million displaced. Recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping, raising economic concerns worldwide.Haiti
Haiti's ongoing social and political turmoil escalated after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, leading to a severe security crisis. Gang violence surged, with gangs controlling a significant portion of the capital, Port-au-Prince. In 2023, the Haitian National Police reported over 2,100 homicides and at least 1,000 kidnappings. International efforts to stabilize the situation have faced challenges, and the humanitarian situation continues to worsen.Sahel Region
The Sahel region is grappling with a deepening crisis of violent extremism, marked by the growing influence of terrorist organizations such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). The first seven months of 2023 saw at least 7,800 civilian deaths, a significant increase from 2022. International efforts have faced challenges, and the withdrawal of foreign forces has created security vacuums exploited by extremist groups.Afghanistan
Following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Afghanistan has experienced ongoing violence and a dire humanitarian situation. In 2023 alone, there were over 2,000 civilian deaths due to various forms of violence. The country faces severe economic insecurity, with 95% of Afghan households not having enough to eat by March 2022. Women's rights have significantly deteriorated, with millions of girls and young women denied access to education.Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The DRC faces significant challenges, especially in its eastern provinces, due to conflicts involving rebel groups like M23 and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The UN reports a record high of 6.9 million internally displaced people in the DRC. Tensions with neighboring countries and the planned withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces raise concerns about security vacuums, highlighting the urgent need for peacebuilding and humanitarian aid.
These conflicts continue to cause immense human suffering and displacement, underscoring the critical need for sustained international intervention and humanitarian assistance.