The "Conflict Barometer" published by Heidelberg University's Institute for International Conflict Research (HIIK) identified only nine former conflicts as being settled or becoming inactive last year.

Worldwide, 372 conflicts had seethed at varying levels of intensity, the HIIK said, with 213, or 57 percent, fought out violently.

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Among the 16 classified as all-out wars were three once-limited wars in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): the conflicts in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Syria's Afrin region, and between Turkey and the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) militia.

Other wars that retained their intensity included the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and the Central African Republic (pictured above), where a peace deal was signed in early February, the eighth in six years.

Surge in sub-Saharan Africa

The 2018 surge in the number of limited wars — from 16 to 24 — involved the Philippines, Myanmar, Ukraine, Colombia, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Mali, said the HIIK, submitting its 27th study since 1992.

In sub-Saharan Africa as a whole, eight limited wars were counted, "twice as much as the year before."

'Heavy fights' in Mexico

Mexico's drug war, which the HIIK also defined as an all-out war, affected its states of Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Veracruz, and Guanajuato, with its government ''kingpin" strategy of targeting cartel bosses leading to "heavy fights over local predominance."

The HIIK also listed a number of medium intensity "interstate conflicts," including between India and Pakistan and Russia versus the European Union and the United States.

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As an example of de-escalation, the HIIK cited South Sudan, saying "several international conferences and agreements" had almost halved the [year-on-year] death toll."

Complex methodology

The 193-page study, compiling input from 220 experts worldwide and overseen by an advisory panel as far afield as Japan, Oslo and Cape Town, looked beyond raw casualty figures.

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The HIIK said it regards conflict as a "process" where protagonists or actors perceive incompatible intentions and try to "communicate" with violent means instead of using civil regulatory procedures and court proceedings.

It ranked conflict intensity on a one-to-five scale from "dispute" to all-out war. Weapons are ranked light to heavy; casualties and refugee flows are classified from low to heavy.

Researchers also correlated conflict with other issues, identifying linkages between territory, resources, ideologies, secession and "international power."

Social media impact in Indonesia

In a special note on "online Islamism" and widespread social media usage in Indonesia, the HIIK said local Islamists now "greatly influenced public discourse in political and religious matters."

Their ideas and rejection of democracy had "gained ground not only with isolated, fundamentalist groups, but have also found popularity with a large part of Indonesia's overall population," notably young people.

Potential members were being redirected, said the HIIK, to "closed, private groups" linked by end-to-end encryption where radical ideas circulated, creating a "common identity."

That had prompted President Joko Widodo to launch counter-measures in 2017, including the creation of the Indonesian National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN).

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah targeted The convoy of Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah of the West Bank-based Fatah group was targeted as he made a rare visit to Gaza on March 13. The Palestinian Authority said it held Hamas responsible, having failed to provide adequate security. Hamas claimed the attack was aimed at hurting efforts to achieve unity and reconciliation.

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Land Day march Some 30,000 Palestinians took part in the first of the demonstrations on March 30, marking Land Day, named for the 1976 Arab protests against Israeli plans to expropriate land. Some demonstrators ran at the border fence and 16 were killed by Israeli troops with others injured, and some dying later.

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Netanyahu: 'We will hurt them' Speaking on April 9 in the Israeli town of Sderot, near Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "We have one clear and simple rule and we seek to express it constantly: If someone tries to attack you — rise up and attack him. We will not allow, here on the Gaza border, them to hurt us. We will hurt them."

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Protesters injured Palestinians ran to help a young man injured during the border protest on April 13. Stones had been thrown at border guards and the Israeli troops fired on the demonstrators. Some 45 Palestinians died and hundreds were injured between March 30 and April 27.

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Boy killed on April 20 Protest continued on April 20th, with some Palestinian protesters using kites to transport Molotov cocktails and firebombs over the fence. Israeli snipers killed at least four more Palestinians on April 20th, including a 15-year-old boy. The UN Middle East envoy dubbed the killing "outrageous."

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year May 15: US Embassy officially moved to Jerusalem from Tel-Aviv US President Donald Trump's daugher Ivanka is part of the delegation that opened the new US Embassy in Jerusalem. The transfer of the embassy triggered a fresh wave of protests in which 62 people were killed. The deaths have considerably heightened tensions in the area.

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year US no longer seen as partner in Middle East negotiations As the US celebrated its embassy move from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem, Palestinian protests escalated. The events coincided with the 70th anniversary of the foundation of modern-day Israel, and Nakba Day, when Palestinians recall those who fled or were expelled as Israel was established.

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year More than 60 people were killed in protests Palestinians carried away a protester injured on May 15th after demonstrations marking the 70th anniversary of Nakba.

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Palestinian youths run from tear gas Hamas official Salah al-Bardaweel said on Palestinian television that all but 12 of the dead were members of Hamas. Mahmoud Abbas the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization is planning to pursue a war crimes complaint against Israel at the International Criminal Court.

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Israeli airstrikes pound Hamas military targets in Gaza Following an increase in cross-border violence in mid-July, Israel pounded Hamas military targets in Gaza, while Palestinian militants fired more than 170 rockets and mortars into Israel. Two Palestinian boys, aged 15 and 16, were killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to Gaza's health ministry. Three Israelis were injured after a rocket landed on a residential home in the Israeli city of Sderot.

How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Israel temporarily closes its Kerem Shalom cargo crossing with the Gaza Strip Days later, Israel blocked all fuel and gas transfers through the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Gaza Strip for six days "in light of the continued terrorist attempts of Hamas." Israel's defense ministry said essential food and medicine deliveries would still get through. The crossing had been shuttered to commercial trade a week earlier.



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