Armed conflicts continue to shape global geopolitics, with dozens of militant organizations, insurgent groups, separatist movements, and terrorist networks active across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. While their ideologies differ, most seek political control, territorial independence, religious rule, or economic influence.
1. Islamic State (IS) and Its Affiliates
- Remains one of the world’s deadliest terrorist organizations.
- Seeks to establish a global Islamic caliphate.
- Operates through regional affiliates rather than a centralized structure.
- Major regions: Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Somalia and the Sahel.
2. Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM)
- Al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition formed in 2017.
- One of the fastest-growing jihadist groups in Africa.
- Expanding from the Central Sahel into coastal West Africa.
- Major regions: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin and Togo.
3. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
- Also known as the Pakistani Taliban.
- Seeks to overthrow Pakistan’s government and impose strict Islamic rule.
- Activity has increased after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
- Major regions: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
4. Al-Shabaab
- East Africa’s most powerful Islamist militant group.
- Affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
- Frequently carries out bombings and cross-border attacks.
- Major regions: Somalia and northeastern Kenya.
5. Boko Haram
- Responsible for thousands of deaths since 2009.
- Split into multiple factions, including one aligned with Islamic State.
- Major regions: Northeastern Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
6. Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
- Originally formed in Uganda but now operates mainly in eastern DRC.
- Linked to Islamic State Central Africa Province.
- Frequently attacks civilians in rural communities.
- Major regions: North Kivu and Ituri (DR Congo).
7. FARC Dissident Groups
- Armed factions that rejected Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement.
- Finance operations through drug trafficking and illegal mining.
- Increasingly using drones during clashes.
- Major regions: Southwestern Colombia and Venezuela border.
8. National Liberation Army (ELN)
- Colombia’s oldest active guerrilla organization.
- Continues fighting despite repeated peace negotiations.
- Major regions: Colombia and border areas of Venezuela.
9. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)
- Baloch separatist organization seeking independence from Pakistan.
- Frequently targets security forces and infrastructure projects.
- Major region: Balochistan, Pakistan.
10. March 23 Movement (M23)
- Rebel group active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Re-emerged in 2021 and has captured several strategic towns.
- The conflict has displaced millions of civilians.
- Major region: North and South Kivu near the Rwanda border.
11. Hamas
- Palestinian Islamist organization that governs Gaza.
- Engaged in repeated conflicts with Israel.
- The Israel-Hamas conflict remains one of the world’s major security crises.
- Major region: Gaza Strip.
12. Hezbollah
- Lebanese armed movement supported by Iran.
- Maintains significant military capabilities alongside political influence.
- Major region: Lebanon.
13. Houthis (Ansar Allah)
- Control large parts of northern Yemen.
- Have expanded missile and drone attacks into the Red Sea region.
- Major region: Yemen.
14. Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
- Powerful Sudanese paramilitary force.
- Locked in a devastating civil war with Sudan’s armed forces since 2023.
- The conflict has triggered one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
- Major region: Sudan.
15. Arakan Army
- One of Myanmar’s strongest ethnic armed organizations.
- Expanded territorial control during Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict.
- Major region: Rakhine State, Myanmar.
16. Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
- Long-standing ethnic insurgent group.
- Fighting intensified after Myanmar’s 2021 military coup.
- Major region: Kachin State, Myanmar.
17. Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
- Kurdish insurgent movement designated as a terrorist organization by several countries.
- Seeks greater Kurdish autonomy.
- Major region: Turkey and northern Iraq.
18. Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)
- Major political-military organization from Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
- Although a peace agreement exists, tensions remain.
- Major region: Tigray, Ethiopia.
19. Fano Militia
- Amhara militia that emerged as a major force in Ethiopia’s internal conflict.
- Continues clashes with federal security forces.
- Major region: Amhara Region, Ethiopia.
20. CODECO
- Ethnic militia operating in eastern Congo.
- Frequently involved in communal violence and attacks on civilians.
- Major region: Ituri Province, DR Congo.
Emerging Extremist Networks
Maniac Murder Cult (MKY)
- Decentralized online violent extremist network promoting random acts of violence.
- Linked to multiple countries through internet-based radicalization.
No Lives Matter (NLM)
- Online extremist community associated with MKY.
- Encourages attacks against civilians through digital propaganda.
764 Network
- Cyber-enabled criminal-extremist network.
- Targets vulnerable minors through online coercion, sextortion and self-harm exploitation.
- Under investigation by law enforcement agencies in multiple countries.
Lakurawa
- Emerging militant faction associated with Islamic State Sahel Province.
- Active in northwestern Nigeria.
West Papua Liberation Army (OPM)
- Armed separatist movement seeking independence for Papua from Indonesia.
- Major region: Papua, Indonesia.
Jamaat Ansarullah
- Tajik Islamist militant group reportedly operating along Afghanistan’s northern frontier.
- Major region: Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan.
Key Takeaways
- Africa remains the global hotspot for insurgencies, particularly the Sahel, Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates continue expanding through regional branches despite leadership losses.
- Separatist movements remain active in Pakistan, Myanmar, Turkey, Indonesia and Ethiopia.
- Drone warfare, cyber operations and online radicalization are increasingly shaping modern insurgencies.
- Many conflicts are now driven not only by ideology but also by competition over natural resources, smuggling routes, illegal mining and geopolitical influence.
