MENA Conflicts

By Rob English

Active Warzones

Began 2011 during the Arab Spring with protests against the regime of Bashir Al Assad
Spiraled into Civil war between the Assad regime, various rebel factions, and foreign interventions
Key Events: Protests began in March 2011, Rise of ISIS 2013, US Withdrawal and Turkish offensive into Northern Syria, October 2019 - Operation Peace Spring
Key Players: Assad Regime backed by Russia and Iran, Turkey, ISIS, Kurdish and Arab militias
Refugee crisis has continuously been flowing through Turkey into Europe

Current Civil War since 2014
Key sections of the government and military split from the UN backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli
Country split between the GNA backed by Turkey in the West and General Khalifa Haftar backed by Egypt in the East
Turkish intervention saved the GNA through Spring 2020
Egypt has provided support for Haftar. However, should the strategic port city of Sirte fall to the GNA, Egypt has announced it may intervene directly to protect Haftar’s Faction
Refugee crisis has continued into Europe through Italy

Began 2015 with Houthi uprising against the government of Yemen, Houthi forces have largely taken control over the country
Houthis have gained power and ousted the previous government, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched a devastating campaign through air strikes and blockade to attempt restoring the previous government to power
Iranian support of the Houthi forces is widely suspected though not openly confirmed

ISIS Insurgency since 2013/2014
US/Iraqi led coalition reclaimed territory seized by ISIS
ISIS presently holds no significant territory, but continues to mount an insurgency against government and western forces
Waved of civil unrest and widespread protests have exposed vulnerabilities in the Iraqi government’s ability to maintain control

Protests and Low-Grade Conflicts

Protests throughout 2019 and 2020 against authoritarian government
Protests began in Spring, 2019 in response to President Bouteflika was nominated for a fifth term in
office, he resigned from pressure in April, 2019
Protests have continued demanding greater civil and political liberties and efforts to curtail
corruption
The Hirak (الحراك) is a decentralized movement leading the protests

Several wars, namely in 1948, 1967, 1973, the First and Second Intifaadas, Civil War between Hamas andFatah, and the Gaza Wars in 2008 and 2014
Ongoing violence continues in between wars, largely driven by expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a blockade on the Gaza Strip and rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip intoIsrael
Several attempts at a Peace Process have failed, most famously the Oslo Accords in 1993

The Band’s Visit by David Yazbek