Ten Conflicts to Watch in 2026: Sudan, Myanmar, Sahel and Beyond

Picture a world where bombs shatter markets in Sudan, families flee Russian drones in Ukraine, and rebels torch junta bases in Myanmar. Wars like these displace millions, spark famines, and rattle global trade. They threaten stability, hike food prices, and pull in foreign powers. Experts at the International Crisis Group and the IRC’s Emergency Watchlist flag these dangers for 2026. Keep an eye on Sudan, Ukraine-Russia, Myanmar, the Sahel, Israel-Gaza-Hezbollah, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, Haiti, and emerging flashpoints. In Sudan alone, 33.7 million people need aid; famine grips the land.

Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar Top the List of Brutal Wars

These three stand out for their raw death tolls, massive displacement, and stalled peace bids. Foreign cash and arms fuel the fires. No quick fixes loom in 2026.

Sudan’s Civil War: Famine and Atrocities Grip the Nation

Sudan’s army, led by al-Burhan, clashes with Hemedti’s paramilitary RSF since 2023. RSF controls the west; SAF grips the east. El Fasher fell in 2025, and now the war marks 1,000 days as of January 2026. RSF grabbed the Heglig oilfield last December, using Chinese drones and UAE-backed mercenaries. Bombs pound civilians; hospitals face 201 attacks, killing 1,858. Over 9.3 million flee homes. Hunger stalks 21 million. In Darfur, thousands vanish on escape routes. Chad shelters 900,000 refugees. Expect state collapse and spills into neighbours this year.

Ukraine Holds Firm Against Russia’s Slow Advance

Year four brings grinding battles in the east. Ukraine wields Western weapons to blunt Russian pushes. Cities lie in rubble; millions live as refugees. Watch for dips in US aid or a harsh Russian winter offensive. Stalemate drags on, but escalation risks rise. Families huddle in shattered homes, kids scarred by endless sirens. Human costs mount with each drone strike.

Myanmar’s Rebels Challenge a Failing Junta

Since the 2021 coup, the military faces ethnic armies across the land. Junta polls in December 2025 turned bloody, with violence at voting stations. Rebels seize towns; airstrikes and landmines kill civilians. Famine spreads, drugs flood borders. Junta weakens fast. In 2026, it might crumble, birthing chaos or a rebel win.

Africa’s Hotspots: Sahel Chaos, Somalia, and Ethiopia Tensions

Jihadists, coups, and clan feuds link these African fights. They drive refugee floods and choke trade routes. Juntas lean on Russian mercenaries; stability frays.

Sahel Juntas Battle Jihadists and Each Other

In Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, al-Qaeda and ISIS hit back at coup regimes. France pulled out; Wagner Group steps in with brutal tactics. Massacres claim villages; 10 million displaced. Killings spike in markets and mosques. States teeter. In 2026, collapse could spread to coastal nations like Benin.

Somalia’s Al-Shabaab Keeps Up Deadly Attacks

Al-Shabaab bombs markets and besieges towns against the government and African forces. Clan rivalries fan the flames. Thousands die yearly. Horn trade routes suffer. Expect broader unrest, with sieges starving cities.

Ethiopia’s Border Clashes and Dam Disputes Heat Up

Tigray truce holds thin; Oromo fights grow. The GERD dam on the Nile angers Egypt, who arms Ethiopia’s enemies. Water wars brew on multiple fronts. Clans clash over scarce rivers, risking full blowups.

Middle East Fights, Haiti Gangs, and Fresh Dangers Ahead

Proxy battles spread here, while weak states crumble. Truces snap; big powers lurk. New sparks could ignite wider fires.

Israel Faces Gaza and Hezbollah Rocket Barrages

Hamas raids kicked off 2023 hell; Hezbollah rockets rain from Lebanon. Gaza starves, thousands dead. Ceasefire talks flop. Regional war looms in 2026, pulling in Iran.

Yemen Houthis Disrupt Seas with Bold Strikes

Iran fuels Houthi attacks on Red Sea ships. Weak ceasefire holds; US and Israel hit back. Trade slows; ports burn. Bold drone strikes threaten global routes.

Haiti’s Gangs Rule a Lawless Capital

Gangs own Port-au-Prince; no real government stands. They loot, kill, rape freely. UN mission fails. Five million need aid. Chaos risks Caribbean spread.

Watch for New Flashpoints Like Nile Wars and Proxy Surges

Ethiopia’s dam feud with Egypt boils. Sahel jihadists eye Benin. Iran’s proxies fan Middle East flames. These ties knot big risks: refugee waves, oil shocks, terror jumps.

Sudan tops the threats with famine on a massive scale, Ukraine’s grind, and Myanmar’s rebel surge. Africa’s spots link jihad and juntas; Middle East proxies simmer. Haiti shows failed states’ pain. Yet peace pushes persist. Follow CurratedBrief’s My Feed or newsletter for real-time updates on these fights. Tailor your interests to stay sharp. What conflict worries you most? Vigilance now aids tomorrow’s calm.