War/Regional conflicts

South Korea: Harsh Rhetoric from North Raises Concern

Date: June 8th, 2011 |

North Korea has been increasing its harsh rhetoric toward the South after reports that the South Korean military used pictures of the North’s ruling family for target practice. The North said it plans to use military force to retaliate and referred to the South Korean government as traitors. Harsh rhetoric is nothing new from North [read more]

Sri Lanka: 25 Years of War Come to an End

Date: May 20th, 2009 |

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After 25 years of brutal conflict and an endgame ignoring international calls for restraint, the conventional war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is over with the army’s defeat of the rebel force. Whether remnants of the group will stage random attacks in the future remains to be seen, but the government appears ready [read more]

Cambodia and Thailand: Border Dispute Still Simmers

Date: October 22nd, 2008 |

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A simmering border dispute flared into a military clash Oct. 15 in the area of the Preah Vihear temple, known as Khao Phra Wihan in Thailand. The region is in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Sisaket province. Additional border disputes exist in at least two other sites, Prasart Ta Moan and Prasart Ta Krabey, [read more]

Sri Lanka: Sliding Back into War?

Date: December 6th, 2007 |

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This tropical island nation appears to be spiraling down into civil war again as a cease-fire brokered by Norwegian negotiators in 2002 has deteriorated to the point of collapse and conflict is escalating. Tamil Tiger rebels have been confined to their stronghold in the north but struck Colombo, the capital city, with two suicide bombings [read more]

DR Congo: Rebels Take Over Virunga National Park, Threaten Mountain Gorillas

Date: September 5th, 2007 |

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Virunga National Park, home of the rare mountain gorillas in eastern Congo on the borders with Uganda and Rwanda, has been overrun by a rebel army fighting government forces. Some 10,000 refugees have fled to Uganda and park rangers have been forced to evacuate, leaving the gorillas unprotected. Fighting has occurred in the park and [read more]

Thailand: Burmese Border Conflict Spills into Thailand

Date: November 10th, 2010 |

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Fighting between the Burmese army and ethnic rebels in Myawaddy, Burma near the Thai border spilled over into Mae Sot, Thailand Nov. 8 when mortar rounds injured some ten people and destroyed a store. Several thousand Burmese nationals crossed the border seeking refuge only to be sent back the next day. Further conflict in the [read more]

Thailand: Tourist Spots near Cambodian Border Closed to Visitors

Date: April 8th, 2009 |

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Authorities closed tourist spots near the Preah Vihear temple at the Cambodian border after two clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces killed four soldiers and wounded 16 others. A Thai military spokesman said the clashes followed a landmine explosion that maimed a Thai soldier a few miles west of the temple in an area that [read more]

Lebanon: Clashes Raise Fears of Civil War

Date: May 14th, 2008 |

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A crisis that has brought Lebanon to the brink of civil war erupted May 7 when the government outlawed Hezbollah’s communications network and Hezbollah responded by attacking pro-government militias and taking control of wide areas of Beirut. The group subsequently handed over control to the Lebanese army, but much of Beirut remained blocked off by [read more]

Sri Lanka: Travel to North and East Still Dangerous, Yala Wildlife Sanctuary Closed

Date: October 25th, 2007 |

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Travel to northern and eastern Sri Lanka remains risky because of ongoing conflict between the armed forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels. The government has controlled the eastern part of the country since July 2007, but some insurgents and paramilitary members remain active in the area and security cannot be guaranteed. The [read more]

Laos: Fighting in Vang Vieng

Date: May 30th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Laos reported news of sporadic fighting between government forces and rebels in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane province, and warned against ground travel north from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. U.S. Embassy personnel are prohibited from taking personal journeys in the area on Route 13 and contiguous roads. [read more]

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