A year of conflict

December 29, 2024

2024 saw intense human suffering in Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Ukraine

A year of conflict


T

he year 2024 was dominated by the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

The Ukraine conflict, which began with an invasion of the country by Russia in February 2022, is one of the most consequential and destructive conflicts of the 21st Century.

Its roots lie in a mix of historical grievances and geopolitical rivalries. Russia’s opposition to NATO’s eastward expansion, compounded by its perception of Ukraine as a vital part of its sphere of influence, culminated in the invasion. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the simmering conflict in Donbas foreshadowed this war, as Russia sought to prevent Ukraine from aligning with Western institutions such as NATO and the European Union. However, what Moscow may have envisioned as a quick military operation turned into a protracted and brutal war, primarily due to the fierce resistance from Ukraine and the unprecedented support Kyiv received from the US-led West. The war has become a symbol of resilience for Ukraine. However, it has also highlighted the fragility of European security and the risks of unchecked aggression.

Some major events of the war that have shaped its trajectory include the defence of Kyiv in the early days of the invasion, the tragic siege of Mariupol and the continuing battles in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian territories in 2022 was a turning point. It solidified Moscow’s territorial ambitions. However, Ukraine’s ability to push back, as seen in its counteroffensive operations, demonstrated that the conflict would not be easily resolved.

A year of conflict

The war’s human cost has been staggering. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed and millions of people have been displaced. Civilians, in particular, have borne the brunt of the war, as hospitals, schools and energy infrastructure have not been spared.

The US-led NATO has had a pivotal role in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Western countries have provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military and financial aid, advanced weapons such as HIMARS, drones and Patriot missile systems, as well as critical intelligence to resist Russian advances. This assistance has allowed Ukraine to hold its ground and reclaim parts of its territory. This has also prolonged the conflict, as neither side has shown willingness to compromise. The economic impact of the war has been global. It has affected energy and food supplies, particularly in regions dependent on grain exports from Ukraine and Russia. As 2025 approaches, the war seems far from over. The possibility of a frozen conflict, in which neither side achieves its objectives but continues low-intensity fighting, looms large. This can cause long-term instability in Europe, with profound implications for global security.

The war in Gaza, meanwhile, has reignited one of the Middle East’s most complex and devastating conflicts. The escalation began with Hamas’s unprecedented assault on Israel in October 2023, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In response, Israel launched a massive military operation aimed at eliminating Hamas. This has resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza. Entire neighborhoods have been obliterated. Schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure have been targeted, leaving millions without access to necessities. The humanitarian toll has been catastrophic. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed. Many more have been injured or displaced. Above all, the Gaza strip, already besieged and impoverished before the war, is now facing an existential crisis.

A year of conflict


The US-led NATO has had a pivotal role in Russia-Ukraine war. The Western countries have provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military and financial aid, advanced weapons such as HIMARS, drones and Patriot missile systems, as well as critical intelligence to resist Russian advances.

Despite the scale of devastation, Israel claims to have achieved significant military victories. It has dismantled much of Hamas’s operational infrastructure, killed its key leaders, and reduced the group’s capacity to launch large-scale attacks. However, these achievements come at a staggering human cost besides charges of genocide and war crimes being leveled against the Zionist regime led by Netanyahu. The role of the United States has been critical in bolstering Israel’s military campaign. Advanced weaponry, intelligence-sharing and diplomatic cover at international forums have allowed Israel to conduct its operations without substantial external restraint. The war has also sparked widespread protests and condemnation globally, thus, isolating Israel diplomatically.

The consequences of the ongoing Gaza war extend beyond the immediate destruction. The region faces a deepening humanitarian crisis, with limited prospects for reconstruction due to the ongoing blockade and lack of international consensus on resolving the conflict. Importantly, the war has fuelled radicalisation and unrest in neighboring Arab states and across the Muslim world, potentially setting the stage for further instability.

In Palestine’s neighborhood, the civil war in Syria has taken a new and unexpected turn with the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as a dominant force. The group’s ability to oust Bashar al-Assad’s regime, some weeks ago, marks a dramatic shift in the conflict’s dynamics. Assad’s regime, weakened by years of war, economic sanctions and dwindling support from key allies like Russia and Iran, could no longer maintain its hold over the fractured polity. The Jolani-led HTS, despite its extremist roots and extremist ideology, has managed to consolidate power in key regions presenting itself as a formidable player in Syria’s fragmented political landscape.

Regionally, Turkey has played a complex role in the Syrian conflict in terms of balancing its opposition to Kurdish forces with its uneasy relationship with the HTS. In the current context, however, Ankara views the HTS as a counterweight to Kurdish groups, which it considers a significant security threat. However, Turkey’s position is complicated by its NATO membership and the need to align with Western priorities. The United States and other Western nations remain cautious. While the HTS’s rise has temporarily filled the power vacuum left by Assad, its ability to govern effectively and gain international legitimacy remains in question. The group faces significant internal challenges, including opposition from rival factions and the difficulty of managing a war-torn and ethnically diverse country. In 2025, Syria may continue to be plagued by instability, with the HTS struggling to maintain its hold on power amid growing international and domestic pressures.

Furthermore, Israel’s recent strikes against the Houthis of Yemen highlight its expanding security concerns. The Houthis, aligned with Iran and armed with increasingly advanced missile and drone capabilities, pose a growing threat to Israeli interests in the Red Sea and beyond. Israel’s preemptive measures reflect its determination to neutralize potential threats before they materialize but also underscore the challenges of managing multiple fronts simultaneously. Hence, the Houthi challenge adds a new layer of complexity to Israel’s already strained military and political landscape, as it navigates conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. In the latter, Israel’s aggression has reignited long-standing tensions, resulting in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure. In recent military operations, Israel has conducted airstrikes and artillery bombardments targeting Hezbollah positions, which have also severely impacted civilian areas. Moreover, residential neighborhoods, schools and hospitals have been hard hit, resulting in the death of hundreds of civilians, including women and children.

2024 has been a year of relentless conflict, marked by immense human suffering and the degradation of the environment. Wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and attacks on Yemen have left hundreds of thousands dead, displacing millions, and caused irreparable damage to infrastructure and ecosystems. Beyond the immediate toll, these conflicts have exacerbated global crises, including food insecurity, energy shortages and climate instability.

Each conflict reflects the failure of international mechanisms to prevent war and protect civilians. Major powers such as the US, EU and China have a unique responsibility to address these conflicts and foster global stability. Their engagement in meaningful dialogue, investment in reconstruction and promotion of trans-regional trade can pave the way for a more peaceful and cooperative world order.

This requires a shift away from militarised strategies towards diplomacy and sustainable development. Without such efforts, the world risks descending further into a cycle of violence and environmental degradation. As 2025 approaches, the urgency of building pathways to peace cannot be overstated. Only through collaborative efforts can the world hope to navigate its current crises and work towards a future that prioritizes human welfare and environmental sustainability.


The writer has a PhD in political science from Heidelberg University and a post-doc from University of California, Berkeley. He is a DAAD, FDDI and Fulbright fellow and an associate professor at Lahore School of Economics. He can be reached at ejaz.bhatty@gmail.com

A year of conflict