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It’s that time again: today we publish #CrisisWatch after 2 weeks of tracking updates on 80+ conflicts worldwide.
Here’s a not-so-brief thematic briefing on what happened in August [warning: monster thread
]
![It’s that time again: today we publish #CrisisWatch after 2 weeks of tracking updates on 80+ conflicts worldwide. Here’s a not-so-brief thematic briefing on what happened in August [warning: monster thread ]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EhFDz-mXkAIwD-U.jpg "It’s that time again: today we publish #CrisisWatch after 2 weeks of tracking updates on 80+ conflicts worldwide. Here’s a not-so-brief thematic briefing on what happened in August [warning: monster thread ]")
Here’s a not-so-brief thematic briefing on what happened in August [warning: monster thread
]
Theme 1: Protests 
No shortage, whether sparked by local grievances, disputed elections or other reasons:
➤ #Thailand witnessed its largest pro-democracy rally since the 2014 coup
➤ Indigenous protesters in #Peru, in some cases armed with spears, seized oil facilities
No shortage, whether sparked by local grievances, disputed elections or other reasons:
➤ #Thailand witnessed its largest pro-democracy rally since the 2014 coup
➤ Indigenous protesters in #Peru, in some cases armed with spears, seized oil facilities
➤ Mass demonstrations persist in #Belarus as Lukashenko clings to power
➤ Hundreds of anti-corruption protesters rallied across #Kenya
➤ Large-scale protests continued in #Israel, including some 20,000 outside Netanyahu’s residence demanding his resignation
➤ Hundreds of anti-corruption protesters rallied across #Kenya
➤ Large-scale protests continued in #Israel, including some 20,000 outside Netanyahu’s residence demanding his resignation
➤ In #Bolivia, nationwide protests against 3rd delay of presidential election turned violent
➤ Deadly protests erupted across #CotedIvoire after President Ouattara announced his candidacy in Oct poll
➤ In #Libya, both rival authorities faced protests in Tripoli and Sirte
➤ Deadly protests erupted across #CotedIvoire after President Ouattara announced his candidacy in Oct poll
➤ In #Libya, both rival authorities faced protests in Tripoli and Sirte
Theme 2: Military drills & tensions 
➤ #US & #SouthKorea held military drills; smaller than previous years due to COVID-19
➤ As US health chief visited #Taiwan, Chinese jets crossed median line & Chinese military carried out drills in Strait + north & south of Taiwan
➤ #US & #SouthKorea held military drills; smaller than previous years due to COVID-19
➤ As US health chief visited #Taiwan, Chinese jets crossed median line & Chinese military carried out drills in Strait + north & south of Taiwan
➤ In sign of deepening relations, Turkish & Azerbaijani militaries held joint drills in five cities in #Azerbaijan
➤ Amid heightening #EasternMediterranean tensions, both Turkey and Greece-Cyprus-France-Italy held military exercises
➤ Amid heightening #EasternMediterranean tensions, both Turkey and Greece-Cyprus-France-Italy held military exercises
➤ Following deadly skirmishes in June, #India accused #China of “provocative military movements” on disputed border
➤ #China test-fired two missiles – DF-21D and DF-26B – from its mainland into South China Sea
➤ #China test-fired two missiles – DF-21D and DF-26B – from its mainland into South China Sea
Theme 3: Jihadist/Islamist attacks 
➤ In #BurkinaFaso, jihadist attacks mainly against civilians could indicate strategic shift away from targeting of govt
➤ In #Mozambique’s North, Islamist militants seized the city of Mocimboa da Praia, forcing security forces to withdraw
➤ In #BurkinaFaso, jihadist attacks mainly against civilians could indicate strategic shift away from targeting of govt
➤ In #Mozambique’s North, Islamist militants seized the city of Mocimboa da Praia, forcing security forces to withdraw
➤ In first for Tillabery region’s Kollo department in #Niger, suspected ISIS militants killed 8, including 6 French humanitarian workers
➤ In #Nigeria’s north east, Boko Haram & ISWAP attacks continued despite govt airstrikes
➤ In #Nigeria’s north east, Boko Haram & ISWAP attacks continued despite govt airstrikes
➤ In #Afghanistan, ISKP's major attack on prison in Jalalabad city led to escape of hundreds of prisoners
➤ Islamist militants launched numerous attacks in #Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province
➤ ISIS-linked militants suspected of twin suicide bombings in #Philippines’ Jolo
➤ Islamist militants launched numerous attacks in #Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province
➤ ISIS-linked militants suspected of twin suicide bombings in #Philippines’ Jolo
➤ In #NorthCaucasus, armed clash broke out between security forces & suspected ISIS militants
➤ In #Turkey, govt continued crackdown on ISIS with 83 suspects detained
➤ In #Iraq, ISIS militants killed at least 30 in Salah al-Din, Diyala, Kirkuk and Anbar
➤ In #Turkey, govt continued crackdown on ISIS with 83 suspects detained
➤ In #Iraq, ISIS militants killed at least 30 in Salah al-Din, Diyala, Kirkuk and Anbar
➤ #Egypt’s military claimed killing over 70 suspected jihadists in North Sinai
➤ Houthis in #Yemen said an operation al-Baydah province killed ISIS leader Abu Al-Walid Al-Adani
➤ Houthis in #Yemen said an operation al-Baydah province killed ISIS leader Abu Al-Walid Al-Adani
Theme 4: Diplomatic & intra-state deals 
➤ #Iran & IAEA ended months-long standoff with deal to facilitate IAEA access to two sites
➤ #Israel & #UAE signed historic US-brokered normalisation
➤ After year-long talks, a rebel coalition & #Sudanese govt signed peace deal
➤ #Iran & IAEA ended months-long standoff with deal to facilitate IAEA access to two sites
➤ #Israel & #UAE signed historic US-brokered normalisation
➤ After year-long talks, a rebel coalition & #Sudanese govt signed peace deal
➤ #Egypt & #Greece signed deal on maritime border in Med, creating EEZ for drilling rights
➤ After deadlock, #SouthSudan’s govt & former rebel opposition groups reached local power-sharing deal
➤ Saudi Arabia helped broker deal btwn #Yemen’s Hadi govt & southern separatists
➤ After deadlock, #SouthSudan’s govt & former rebel opposition groups reached local power-sharing deal
➤ Saudi Arabia helped broker deal btwn #Yemen’s Hadi govt & southern separatists
➤ Mozambique & French oil company Total agreed on security of Total’s natural gas projects in restive Cabo Delgado region, raising concerns over a security-first approach
➤ Following tit-for-tat escalation, #Hamas announced it had reached a ceasefire with Israel
➤ Following tit-for-tat escalation, #Hamas announced it had reached a ceasefire with Israel
➤ In #CAR, armed group UPC disengaged from July deal reached with govt
➤ #Somalia’s Farmajo & federal states reiterated pledge to hold Nov 2020 parliamentary & Feb 2021 presidential polls on time
➤ #France & #Cyprus began implementation of 2017 defence cooperation agreement
➤ #Somalia’s Farmajo & federal states reiterated pledge to hold Nov 2020 parliamentary & Feb 2021 presidential polls on time
➤ #France & #Cyprus began implementation of 2017 defence cooperation agreement
Theme 5: #COVID19 in Latin America 
The pandemic continues to exacerbate tensions and render pre-existing frailties more acute.
➤ In #Peru, amid the highest COVID-19 fatality rate globally and plunging economy, a series of protests and incidents turned deadly
The pandemic continues to exacerbate tensions and render pre-existing frailties more acute.
➤ In #Peru, amid the highest COVID-19 fatality rate globally and plunging economy, a series of protests and incidents turned deadly
➤ In #Guatemala, indigenous & civil society groups stepped up criticism of govt and lawmakers over management of COVID-19
➤ Authorities in #Honduras faced new allegations of corruption & mismanagement of COVID-19 response
➤ Authorities in #Honduras faced new allegations of corruption & mismanagement of COVID-19 response
➤ In #Colombia, armed groups dramatically stepped up attacks amid persistent concern they might use COVID-19 to recruit and extend territorial control
Theme 6: Border unrest & insecurity 
➤ #Hizbollah allegedly launched cross-border attack on Israeli troops
➤ Tensions persisted between #Pakistan & #Afghanistan following July’s deadly clash between security forces after Islamabad closed Chaman border
➤ #Hizbollah allegedly launched cross-border attack on Israeli troops
➤ Tensions persisted between #Pakistan & #Afghanistan following July’s deadly clash between security forces after Islamabad closed Chaman border
➤ #Israel said it had “thwarted a squad sent by Iran” at Israel-Syria border that prompted retaliatory Israeli airstrikes
➤ #Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted drone fired by Huthis from #Yemen’s Sanaa
➤ #Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted drone fired by Huthis from #Yemen’s Sanaa
➤ #France designated area along #BurkinaFaso’s southern border with Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire as “red zone”, highest level of security risk
➤ #Niger’s security forces launched cross-border operation into #Nigeria and freed eleven civilians kidnapped by Boko Haram
➤ #Niger’s security forces launched cross-border operation into #Nigeria and freed eleven civilians kidnapped by Boko Haram
➤ #Ugandan sailors reportedly captured dozens of #Congolese fishermen on Lake Edward on common border
➤ #Nepal & #India dialogue in August could pave way for formal talks on ongoing border row
➤ #Nepal & #India dialogue in August could pave way for formal talks on ongoing border row
These are just some of the themes we saw at play during August.
For conflict risk alerts and more details, context and analysis, read the full #CrisisWatch entries or create your personalised briefing with our database
https://www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch
For conflict risk alerts and more details, context and analysis, read the full #CrisisWatch entries or create your personalised briefing with our database
https://www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch
