Before we ring in the new year with hopes for peace and prosperity, here’s a recap of how humanity failed in wars and conflicts across the world.
Russia-Ukraine conflict
Tens and thousands of lives have been lost and homes destroyed since Russia struck its smaller neighbour, Ukraine, on February 24, 2022. It has been Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the conflict. For around three years, the Russian military has repeatedly used missiles, drones and artillery to blast civilian targets across Ukraine. Due to the ongoing conflict, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have evacuated the country and moved abroad. Such has been the devastation that sometimes-mass graves had to be dug in Ukraine, such as in the besieged port city of Mariupol in 2022. Heavy Russian shelling in the port city prevented proper burials and brought despair.
Israel-Gaza war
Israel’s war with Hamas entered its second year in October 2024. Israel devastated large swaths of Gaza in the wake of the October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas, which killed some 1,200 people. At least 250 were kidnapped by Hamas. A new front of war has begun with Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon. Israel launched a ground operation in Lebanon against Hezbollah, which had been attacking the former in solidarity with Hamas. On November 27, Israel and Lebanon arrived at a 60-day ceasefire agreement. But both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations.
This is Gaza, completely destroyed.
It looks like hell on Earth.
I guess declaring war on Israel on October 7th and slaughtering 1,200 innocent Israelis was a bad idea. Who would have thought?
I stand with Israel in this just war.
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) December 17, 2024
The Syrian Civil war
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia after rebels launched an offensive to end his regime. This happened after 13 years of civil war in Syria. After Assad’s ouster, future of Syria is uncertain as the rebels have taken charge. This comes at a time the country is grappling with a humanitarian crisis. Syrians have discovered the horrors of Assad’s regime as they found mass graves containing the bodies of thousands of people.
Israel-Yemen war
Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthi rebels, who control its capital city Sanaa and much of the country’s northern region, launched attack on Israel since the latter started attacking Gaza. The Houthis attacked ships in the Red Sea. This attack disrupted one of the world’s main maritime routes. Houthis stepped up missile and drone attacks on Israel. Recently, Israeli Air Force reported intercepting yet another missile from Yemen.
Israel-Iran conflict
Iran launched two direct attacks against Israel this year. This intensified the Middle East crisis. Israel is also battling the Iran-backed militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The fight against Hezbollah has weakened the group. But, southern Lebanon and other parts of the country have been affected.
Iran-Pakistan
In January 2024, unprecedented cross-border strikes between Iran and Pakistan raised concerns if the ongoing conflicts would expand eastwards in the Middle East. The world witnessed missile strikes between Iran and Pakistan in July. Later, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced that it had stopped all its flights from using Iranian airspace. This happened after Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Iran and Pakistan share a volatile border. They have long fought Baloch terrorists in the region.
Pakistan-Afghanistan
Pakistani officials have accused the Taliban of not taking steps to combat cross-border militant activity. But the Taliban government has denied the charge. Earlier this year, Pakistan also saw a surge in militant violence. They mostly blamed on Pakistani Taliban and insurgents. Of late, Pakistan launched an operation to destroy a training facility and kill insurgents in Afghanistan. These strikes reportedly killed dozens of people.
Bangladesh
Following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, minorities — and particularly Hindus — alleged attacks on them in Muslim-majority nation of Bangladesh. But Dhaka has claimed these reports to be widely exaggerated. The protesters demanded an intervention by the United Nations.
