From extreme weather to scientific advancements
The 21st century has seen some of the most devastating and destructive conflicts in modern history, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Israeli-Hamas conflict, and the brutal Syrian Civil War. These wars, and several others like them this century, have caused millions of deaths, widespread displacement, and profound social and economic upheaval. As global powers and regional actors continue to battle over resources, ideologies, and territorial control, civilians bear the brunt of the violence.
Click on to explore the deadliest wars of the century.
The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, has claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced over 13 million people, including refugees and internally displaced individuals.
It started as a peaceful uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, but evolved into a complex, multi-sided conflict involving government forces, opposition groups, ISIS, and Kurdish factions. Foreign interventions by Russia, the US, and Turkey further intensified the war.
Following years of devastation, the fall of Assad in 2024 marked a turning point, nonetheless leaving Syria fragmented and struggling with instability.
The Iraq War started in 2003 with the US-led invasion to remove leader Saddam Hussein, justified by claims of the possession of weapons of mass destruction (which were never found).
The invasion triggered a power vacuum, leading to insurgencies and sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia factions. Over 300,000 people, including civilians, lost their lives.
The war also enabled the rise of ISIS, spreading instability across the region. Despite the official withdrawal in 2011, Iraq remains deeply affected by the war's aftermath.
The Darfur conflict (2003-2020) caused over 300,000 deaths and displaced around three million people, with Sudanese government-backed Janjaweed militias targeting non-Arab groups in a devastating campaign of violence and genocide.
Entire villages were destroyed, and atrocities like mass killings and abuse were rampant. The United Nations described the conflict as a genocide, leading to international condemnation.
Despite peace agreements and interventions, the region remains volatile, with millions of people still living in refugee camps.
The Second Congo War, which began in 1998 and officially ended in 2003, caused up to five million deaths, primarily from disease and starvation.
The conflict involved nine African nations and numerous militias, all fighting for control of Congo's rich natural resources. Civilians bore the brunt of the violence, enduring massacres and widespread forced displacements.
Even after the war's formal conclusion, armed groups continued to operate in eastern Congo, perpetuating instability and suffering in the region.
The Afghan War began in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, with US and NATO forces invading to dismantle the Taliban and eliminate Al-Qaeda.
Over 170,000 people, including many civilians, died during the 20-year conflict. Despite efforts to establish a stable government, Afghanistan remained plagued by insurgencies and corruption.
In 2021, the Taliban reclaimed power after a rapid US withdrawal, leaving the country in turmoil. The war left a lasting impact on Afghanistan's development and international geopolitics.
The Yemeni Civil War, which erupted in 2014, has caused over 250,000 deaths and one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The conflict pits Iran-backed Houthi rebels against a Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government.
Civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, has been repeatedly targeted, worsening the crisis. Millions face famine, disease, and displacement.
Despite international efforts for peace, the war continues, with devastating consequences for Yemen's population and long-term stability in the Arabian Peninsula.
The war in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, raging from 2020 to 2022, resulted in an estimated 600,000 deaths. The conflict arose from tensions between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
It involved ethnic violence, massacres, and widespread atrocities. The war disrupted critical aid delivery, exacerbating famine and humanitarian crises.
Though a peace deal was signed in late 2022, Ethiopia remains deeply divided, with lingering tensions threatening the fragile recovery process.
The war against Boko Haram, a jihadist group based in Nigeria, has caused over 350,000 deaths since 2009. Boko Haram's brutal tactics include mass abductions, bombings, and the use of child soldiers.
The group has terrorized communities across Nigeria and neighboring countries, targeting schools, villages, and government forces.
Counterinsurgency efforts by regional militaries have reclaimed some territory, but the insurgency continues, leaving millions displaced, and entire regions destabilized.
The Israel-Hamas conflict escalated dramatically in October 2023, resulting in over 45,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 1,200 Israeli casualties, including civilians and military personnel.
The violence, centered in the Gaza Strip, caused widespread destruction, a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and displaced nearly two million Palestinians, representing over 85% of the population.
Rooted in territorial disputes and long-standing grievances, the conflict has seen intensified rocket attacks and airstrikes. Despite international mediation efforts, the fighting continues, leaving the region in deep turmoil.
The Russia-Ukraine War, which began in 2014 with Russia's annexation of Crimea, escalated dramatically in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion.
As of December 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported around 43,000 Ukrainian military deaths, while estimates suggest 198,000 Russian military deaths. Civilian casualties are significant, with over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians killed and millions displaced.
The conflict has reshaped global geopolitics, disrupted food and energy supplies, and left the region devastated, with no clear resolution in sight.
Sources: (CNN) (BBC) (DW) (Britannica)
See also: Missile strikes and massive cyber attack hit Ukraine
The deadliest wars of the 21st century
Unveiling the toll of the century's deadliest wars
LIFESTYLE Conflicts
The 21st century has seen some of the most devastating and destructive conflicts in modern history, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Israeli-Hamas conflict, and the brutal Syrian Civil War. These wars, and several others like them this century, have caused millions of deaths, widespread displacement, and profound social and economic upheaval. As global powers and regional actors continue to battle over resources, ideologies, and territorial control, civilians bear the brunt of the violence.
Click on to explore the deadliest wars of the century.