RULAC Map – NIACs

There are currently multiple parallel and overlapping non-international armed conflicts taking place in Yemen, most notably between the government and the Houthis; the government and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula; as well as between a number of armed groups. The government is supported by an international coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The Egyptian Government is involved in a non-international armed conflict against Wilayat Sinai, an armed non-State actor that has pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group. Furthermore, Israel has conducted air strikes against Wilayat Sinai in Egypt with the consent of the Egyptian Government.

After the demise of the Qaddafi regime in 2011, Libya has been in a state of constant political unrest and related armed violence. The existence of competing governments, and seemingly ever-changing cast of different armed groups- which often switch alliances and seem to operate autonomously- exacerbated the situation and resulted in general uncertainty. Since 2014, there are overlapping ongoing non-international armed conflicts involving the internationally recognized Government of Libya, Libya National Army (LNA), various armed groups and intervening foreign powers.

Mali is engaging in parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against various Islamist insurgent groups, most notably Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (ISGS). The Government of Mali is supported by France, by a peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and by the Joint Force of the G5 Sahel (FC-G5S).

The Senegalese government is engaged in a non-international armed conflict in Casamance, the southwestern limb of Senegal, with the Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC), a non-state armed group.

Burkina Faso is party to parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against a number of jihadist groups, notably Ansaroul Islam, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

Nigeria is involved in two parallel non-international armed conflicts against the non-state armed groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). Since 2014, the Multinational Joint Task Force – which includes troops from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria – has intervened in the conflict in support of the Nigerian Government, thus leaving unchanged the qualification of the situation as non-international.

Cameroon is engaging in a non-international armed conflict (NIAC) against Boko Haram in the Far North. In the Northwest and Southwest regions, a number of Anglophone separatist groups are fighting against the government for the independence of the region. Nevertheless, the violence does not amount to a NIAC.

Central African Republic is involved in a number of non-international armed conflicts against a wide array of rebel groups, in particualr ex-Séléka and anti-Balaka groups. The government is supported by United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission (MINUSCA) and previously by France in its efforts to bring peace and stability throughout the country. There are also parallel non-international armed conflicts between different armed groups.

Since December 2013, South Sudan and its armed forces have been involved in non-international armed conflicts with dissident South Sudan armed forces.

Since November 2020, a non-international armed conflict has been taking place between the Ethiopian armed forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Northern Ethiopia.

The Government of Sudan is involved in separate non-international armed conflicts against a number of non-state armed groups, notably the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army–Abdel Wahid in Darfur, and at least two factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army–North (SPLM-North).

The Somali government is engaged in a non-international armed conflict (NIAC) in its territory against al-Shabaab, which has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda. Furthermore, fighting between the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) and al-Shabab amounts to a NIAC. The African Union Mission in Somalia’s forces, as well as the United States of America and Ethiopia, are providing support to the Somali government and are therefore party to the conflict against al-Shabab.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is engaged in several non-international armed conflicts on its territory against a number of non-state armed groups, most notably the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Mai-Mai Yakutumba, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO). A United Nations peacekeeping operation, the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), is supporting the Congolese armed forces (FARDC).

Mozambique is party to parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against respectively splinter groups of RENAMO, such as the RENAMO Military Junta, and the so-called group Al-Shabab.

Supported by the international coalition led by the United States, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and various militia groups, the Iraqi government is involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Islamic State group and associated groups. In addition, the non-international armed conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in Turkey extends into northern Iraq.

There are multiple and overlapping non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) occurring in Syria. The Syrian Government and its allies are involved in NIACs against several rebel groups (including the Syrian National Army, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamic State group, the Syrian Democratic Forces and other smaller armed rebels). There are also parallel NIACs between those armed groups operating in the territory. Finally, multiple NIACs are taking place between foreign state forces and armed groups in the territory: two parallel NIACs between the US-led coalition on the one hand, and the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda on the other hand; two NIACs between Turkey and respectively the Islamic State and Kurdish militia and, finally, a NIAC between Israel and Hezbollah.

Currently there is a non-international armed conflict in Turkey between the Turkish armed and security forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which had lasted with some interruption from the 1980s until 2013 resumed in July 2015.

Ukrainian armed forces are involved in non-international armed conflicts with the self-proclaimed ‘People’s Republics’ of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

Afghanistan has been affected by conflicts for decades. Supported by the United States, the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) had fought against the Taliban and the Khorasan province branch of the Islamic State group (IS-KP). In August 2021, following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban have rapidly taken control of most of the country, Kabul included, and became the effective government of Afghanistan. Accordingly, currently the Taliban government is engaging in two parallel NIACs: one against the National Resistance Front (loyal to the former government) and the other against the IS-KP.

India is involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Communist Party of India – Maoist (this group is also frequently referred to as the Naxalites).

There are currently multiple non-international armed conflicts in Myanmar between the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and several Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs).

The Government of the Philippines is involved in multiple non-international armed conflicts in Mindanao against the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf Group. Furthermore, the Philippine Armed Forces are engaged in a non-international armed conflict against the New People’s Army.

The Government of Thailand was involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate (BRN).

The Government of Mexico is involved in two parallel non-international armed conflicts against at least the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG, Jalisco Cartel New Generation) and the Sinaloa Cartel. Furthermore, violence between the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG amounts to a non-international armed conflict.

Colombia has experienced one of the longest non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) in modern times. Notably, the Government of Colombia is still involved in parallel NIACs against the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Army) (ELN) and the FARC-EP dissident group (Bloque Oriental (Eastern Bloc)). Furthermore, there is an ongoing NIAC between ELN and the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC).

There are currently multiple parallel and overlapping non-international armed conflicts taking place in Yemen, most notably between the government and the Houthis; the government and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula; as well as between a number of armed groups. The government is supported by an international coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The Egyptian Government is involved in a non-international armed conflict against Wilayat Sinai, an armed non-State actor that has pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group. Furthermore, Israel has conducted air strikes against Wilayat Sinai in Egypt with the consent of the Egyptian Government.

After the demise of the Qaddafi regime in 2011, Libya has been in a state of constant political unrest and related armed violence. The existence of competing governments, and seemingly ever-changing cast of different armed groups- which often switch alliances and seem to operate autonomously- exacerbated the situation and resulted in general uncertainty. Since 2014, there are overlapping ongoing non-international armed conflicts involving the internationally recognized Government of Libya, Libya National Army (LNA), various armed groups and intervening foreign powers.

Mali is engaging in parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against various Islamist insurgent groups, most notably Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (ISGS). The Government of Mali is supported by France, by a peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and by the Joint Force of the G5 Sahel (FC-G5S).

The Senegalese government is engaged in a non-international armed conflict in Casamance, the southwestern limb of Senegal, with the Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC), a non-state armed group.

Burkina Faso is party to parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against a number of jihadist groups, notably Ansaroul Islam, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

Nigeria is involved in two parallel non-international armed conflicts against the non-state armed groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). Since 2014, the Multinational Joint Task Force – which includes troops from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria – has intervened in the conflict in support of the Nigerian Government, thus leaving unchanged the qualification of the situation as non-international.

Cameroon is engaging in a non-international armed conflict (NIAC) against Boko Haram in the Far North. In the Northwest and Southwest regions, a number of Anglophone separatist groups are fighting against the government for the independence of the region. Nevertheless, the violence does not amount to a NIAC.

Central African Republic is involved in a number of non-international armed conflicts against a wide array of rebel groups, in particualr ex-Séléka and anti-Balaka groups. The government is supported by United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission (MINUSCA) and previously by France in its efforts to bring peace and stability throughout the country. There are also parallel non-international armed conflicts between different armed groups.

Since December 2013, South Sudan and its armed forces have been involved in non-international armed conflicts with dissident South Sudan armed forces.

Since November 2020, a non-international armed conflict has been taking place between the Ethiopian armed forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Northern Ethiopia.

The Government of Sudan is involved in separate non-international armed conflicts against a number of non-state armed groups, notably the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army–Abdel Wahid in Darfur, and at least two factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army–North (SPLM-North).

The Somali government is engaged in a non-international armed conflict (NIAC) in its territory against al-Shabaab, which has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda. Furthermore, fighting between the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) and al-Shabab amounts to a NIAC. The African Union Mission in Somalia’s forces, as well as the United States of America and Ethiopia, are providing support to the Somali government and are therefore party to the conflict against al-Shabab.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is engaged in several non-international armed conflicts on its territory against a number of non-state armed groups, most notably the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Mai-Mai Yakutumba, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO). A United Nations peacekeeping operation, the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), is supporting the Congolese armed forces (FARDC).

Mozambique is party to parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against respectively splinter groups of RENAMO, such as the RENAMO Military Junta, and the so-called group Al-Shabab.

Supported by the international coalition led by the United States, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and various militia groups, the Iraqi government is involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Islamic State group and associated groups. In addition, the non-international armed conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in Turkey extends into northern Iraq.

There are multiple and overlapping non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) occurring in Syria. The Syrian Government and its allies are involved in NIACs against several rebel groups (including the Syrian National Army, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamic State group, the Syrian Democratic Forces and other smaller armed rebels). There are also parallel NIACs between those armed groups operating in the territory. Finally, multiple NIACs are taking place between foreign state forces and armed groups in the territory: two parallel NIACs between the US-led coalition on the one hand, and the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda on the other hand; two NIACs between Turkey and respectively the Islamic State and Kurdish militia and, finally, a NIAC between Israel and Hezbollah.

Currently there is a non-international armed conflict in Turkey between the Turkish armed and security forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which had lasted with some interruption from the 1980s until 2013 resumed in July 2015.

Ukrainian armed forces are involved in non-international armed conflicts with the self-proclaimed ‘People’s Republics’ of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

Afghanistan has been affected by conflicts for decades. Supported by the United States, the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) had fought against the Taliban and the Khorasan province branch of the Islamic State group (IS-KP). In August 2021, following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban have rapidly taken control of most of the country, Kabul included, and became the effective government of Afghanistan. Accordingly, currently the Taliban government is engaging in two parallel NIACs: one against the National Resistance Front (loyal to the former government) and the other against the IS-KP.

India is involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Communist Party of India – Maoist (this group is also frequently referred to as the Naxalites).

There are currently multiple non-international armed conflicts in Myanmar between the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and several Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs).

The Government of the Philippines is involved in multiple non-international armed conflicts in Mindanao against the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf Group. Furthermore, the Philippine Armed Forces are engaged in a non-international armed conflict against the New People’s Army.

The Government of Thailand was involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate (BRN).

The Government of Mexico is involved in two parallel non-international armed conflicts against at least the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG, Jalisco Cartel New Generation) and the Sinaloa Cartel. Furthermore, violence between the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG amounts to a non-international armed conflict.

Colombia has experienced one of the longest non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) in modern times. Notably, the Government of Colombia is still involved in parallel NIACs against the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Army) (ELN) and the FARC-EP dissident group (Bloque Oriental (Eastern Bloc)). Furthermore, there is an ongoing NIAC between ELN and the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC).

There are currently multiple parallel and overlapping non-international armed conflicts taking place in Yemen, most notably between the government and the Houthis; the government and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula; as well as between a number of armed groups. The government is supported by an international coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The Egyptian Government is involved in a non-international armed conflict against Wilayat Sinai, an armed non-State actor that has pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group. Furthermore, Israel has conducted air strikes against Wilayat Sinai in Egypt with the consent of the Egyptian Government.

After the demise of the Qaddafi regime in 2011, Libya has been in a state of constant political unrest and related armed violence. The existence of competing governments, and seemingly ever-changing cast of different armed groups- which often switch alliances and seem to operate autonomously- exacerbated the situation and resulted in general uncertainty. Since 2014, there are overlapping ongoing non-international armed conflicts involving the internationally recognized Government of Libya, Libya National Army (LNA), various armed groups and intervening foreign powers.

Mali is engaging in parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against various Islamist insurgent groups, most notably Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (ISGS). The Government of Mali is supported by France, by a peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and by the Joint Force of the G5 Sahel (FC-G5S).

The Senegalese government is engaged in a non-international armed conflict in Casamance, the southwestern limb of Senegal, with the Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC), a non-state armed group.

Burkina Faso is party to parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against a number of jihadist groups, notably Ansaroul Islam, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

Nigeria is involved in two parallel non-international armed conflicts against the non-state armed groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). Since 2014, the Multinational Joint Task Force – which includes troops from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria – has intervened in the conflict in support of the Nigerian Government, thus leaving unchanged the qualification of the situation as non-international.

Cameroon is engaging in a non-international armed conflict (NIAC) against Boko Haram in the Far North. In the Northwest and Southwest regions, a number of Anglophone separatist groups are fighting against the government for the independence of the region. Nevertheless, the violence does not amount to a NIAC.

Central African Republic is involved in a number of non-international armed conflicts against a wide array of rebel groups, in particualr ex-Séléka and anti-Balaka groups. The government is supported by United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission (MINUSCA) and previously by France in its efforts to bring peace and stability throughout the country. There are also parallel non-international armed conflicts between different armed groups.

Since December 2013, South Sudan and its armed forces have been involved in non-international armed conflicts with dissident South Sudan armed forces.

Since November 2020, a non-international armed conflict has been taking place between the Ethiopian armed forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Northern Ethiopia.

The Government of Sudan is involved in separate non-international armed conflicts against a number of non-state armed groups, notably the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army–Abdel Wahid in Darfur, and at least two factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army–North (SPLM-North).

The Somali government is engaged in a non-international armed conflict (NIAC) in its territory against al-Shabaab, which has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda. Furthermore, fighting between the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) and al-Shabab amounts to a NIAC. The African Union Mission in Somalia’s forces, as well as the United States of America and Ethiopia, are providing support to the Somali government and are therefore party to the conflict against al-Shabab.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is engaged in several non-international armed conflicts on its territory against a number of non-state armed groups, most notably the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Mai-Mai Yakutumba, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO). A United Nations peacekeeping operation, the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), is supporting the Congolese armed forces (FARDC).

Mozambique is party to parallel non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) against respectively splinter groups of RENAMO, such as the RENAMO Military Junta, and the so-called group Al-Shabab.

Supported by the international coalition led by the United States, Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and various militia groups, the Iraqi government is involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Islamic State group and associated groups. In addition, the non-international armed conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in Turkey extends into northern Iraq.

There are multiple and overlapping non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) occurring in Syria. The Syrian Government and its allies are involved in NIACs against several rebel groups (including the Syrian National Army, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamic State group, the Syrian Democratic Forces and other smaller armed rebels). There are also parallel NIACs between those armed groups operating in the territory. Finally, multiple NIACs are taking place between foreign state forces and armed groups in the territory: two parallel NIACs between the US-led coalition on the one hand, and the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda on the other hand; two NIACs between Turkey and respectively the Islamic State and Kurdish militia and, finally, a NIAC between Israel and Hezbollah.

Currently there is a non-international armed conflict in Turkey between the Turkish armed and security forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which had lasted with some interruption from the 1980s until 2013 resumed in July 2015.

Ukrainian armed forces are involved in non-international armed conflicts with the self-proclaimed ‘People’s Republics’ of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

Afghanistan has been affected by conflicts for decades. Supported by the United States, the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) had fought against the Taliban and the Khorasan province branch of the Islamic State group (IS-KP). In August 2021, following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban have rapidly taken control of most of the country, Kabul included, and became the effective government of Afghanistan. Accordingly, currently the Taliban government is engaging in two parallel NIACs: one against the National Resistance Front (loyal to the former government) and the other against the IS-KP.

India is involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Communist Party of India – Maoist (this group is also frequently referred to as the Naxalites).

There are currently multiple non-international armed conflicts in Myanmar between the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and several Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs).

The Government of the Philippines is involved in multiple non-international armed conflicts in Mindanao against the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf Group. Furthermore, the Philippine Armed Forces are engaged in a non-international armed conflict against the New People’s Army.

The Government of Thailand was involved in a non-international armed conflict against the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate (BRN).

The Government of Mexico is involved in two parallel non-international armed conflicts against at least the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG, Jalisco Cartel New Generation) and the Sinaloa Cartel. Furthermore, violence between the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG amounts to a non-international armed conflict.

Colombia has experienced one of the longest non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) in modern times. Notably, the Government of Colombia is still involved in parallel NIACs against the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Army) (ELN) and the FARC-EP dissident group (Bloque Oriental (Eastern Bloc)). Furthermore, there is an ongoing NIAC between ELN and the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC).