The world has steadily grown more violent, witnessing the highest number of state-based conflicts since 1946. According to a new conflict trend analysis, the past three years have been the most violent in the last three decades. Last year was one of the most turbulent since the end of the Cold War.
The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) reported in its “Conflict Trends: A Global Overview” that 2023 saw 59 state-based conflicts in 34 countries—the highest number recorded since 1946. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza were significant contributors to the more than 122,000 battle-related deaths in 2023.
Despite this surge in state-based conflicts, non-state conflicts saw a decrease compared to previous years. In 2023, there were 75 non-state conflicts, resulting in approximately 21,000 battle-related deaths. Africa remained the region with the most state-based conflicts (28), followed by Asia (17), the Middle East (10), Europe (3), and the Americas (1). The number of conflicts in Africa nearly doubled compared to ten years ago, resulting in over 330,000 battle-related deaths in the past three years.
The Americas, however, had the highest number of non-state conflicts, with Mexico being one of the most violent countries in terms of non-state conflicts, accounting for nearly 14,000 battle-related deaths. One-sided violence against civilians was recorded in 35 countries in 2023.
The Health Ministry of Gaza reported on July 2 that at least 23 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks, bringing the overall death toll to 37,900 since October 7 of the previous year. Additionally, at least 87,060 people have been injured in the ongoing conflict.
In late June, the independent Russian outlet Important Stories reported that more than 71,000 Russian men had died in the war since February 2022. The Russian State Statistics Service data revealed that at least 45,000 Russian soldiers died in Ukraine in 2023 alone. The BBC confirmed that Russia's military death toll in Ukraine has now surpassed the 50,000 mark. In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in February that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) noted that the power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into a large-scale conflict in April 2023, driving humanitarian needs in the country. Conservative estimates suggest the conflict has killed at least 15,500 people, with some estimates as high as 150,000. 
Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) showed that 12% more conflicts occurred in 2023 compared to 2022. One in six people now live in an area experiencing active conflict. Out of 234 countries and territories covered by ACLED, 168 saw at least one incident of conflict in 2023, with over 147,000 conflict events recorded and at least 167,800 fatalities.
Identity politics and international intervention appear to be the main reasons behind the conflicts raging in many regions. Non-state actors continue to drive fatalities resulting from one-sided violence globally. In most cases, international powers often ignite these conflicts, either from within the region or from afar.
BDST: 1527 HRS, JULY 02, 2024
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