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Organized violence 1989–2020, with a special emphasis on Syria

Author

Listed:
  • Therése Pettersson
  • Shawn Davies
  • Amber Deniz
  • Garoun Engström
  • Nanar Hawach
  • Stina Högbladh
  • Margareta Sollenberg
  • Magnus Öberg

    (Department of Peace and Conflict Research, 370115Uppsala University)

Abstract

This article reports on trends in organized violence, building on new data by the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP). The falling trend in fatalities stemming from organized violence in the world, observed for five consecutive years, broke upwards in 2020 and deaths in organized violence seem to have settled on a high plateau. UCDP registered more than 80,100 deaths in organized violence in 2020, compared to 76,300 in 2019. The decrease in violence in Afghanistan and Syria was countered by escalating conflicts in, for example, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Azerbaijan and Tigray, Ethiopia. Moreover, the call for a global ceasefire following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic failed to produce any results. In fact, the number of active state-based and non-state conflicts, as well as the number of actors carrying out one-sided violence against civilians, increased when compared to 2019. UCDP noted a record-high number of 56 state-based conflicts in 2020, including eight wars. Most of the conflicts occurred in Africa, as the region registered 30 state-based conflicts, including nine new or restarted ones.

Suggested Citation

  • Therése Pettersson & Shawn Davies & Amber Deniz & Garoun Engström & Nanar Hawach & Stina Högbladh & Margareta Sollenberg & Magnus Öberg, 2021. "Organized violence 1989–2020, with a special emphasis on Syria," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 58(4), pages 809-825, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:joupea:v:58:y:2021:i:4:p:809-825
    DOI: 10.1177/00223433211026126
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David E. Cunningham, 2006. "Veto Players and Civil War Duration," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 50(4), pages 875-892, October.
    2. Cyanne E. Loyle, 2021. "Rebel Justice during Armed Conflict," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 65(1), pages 108-134, January.
    3. Therése Pettersson & Magnus Öberg, 2020. "Organized violence, 1989–2019," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 57(4), pages 597-613, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jong-A-Pin, Richard & Mierau, Jochen O., 2022. "No country for old men: Aging dictators and economic growth," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    2. HIGASHIDA Keisaku & MURAKAMI Shinsuke & SHINKUMA Takayoshi, 2022. "Effect of Trade Restrictive Provisions with Due-diligence on Bilateral Trade Flows: The case of the US regulation on conflict minerals," Discussion papers 22054, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    3. Wim Naudé & Lelys Ernesto Amorós & Tilman Brück, 2023. "State-Based Conflict and Entrepreneurship – Empirical Evidence," HiCN Working Papers 384, Households in Conflict Network.
    4. Rød, Espen Geelmuyden & Gåsste, Tim & Hegre, Håvard, 2024. "A review and comparison of conflict early warning systems," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 96-112.
    5. Attila, Joseph G., 2022. "Does bank deposits volatility react to political instability in developing countries?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).

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