Armed conflict shatters the lives of millions of people every year. Its consequences are far-reaching, from the destabilization of entire regions to societal stresses such as poverty and injustice. The causes of armed conflict are multiple and interconnected: they range from political grievances, to territorial disputes, to economic exploitation or the desire for religious or ideological dominance. The ICRC explores how understanding these root issues can enable more effective conflict prevention and management strategies.
The most savage conflicts are often those that pit one state against another, but many more armed conflicts occur within a country’s borders. The ICRC focuses on these, which represent a major challenge for international humanitarian law (IHL). According to the ICRC, the root causes of these conflicts are political power struggles and contestations over territory, land ownership or resources. They also include societal tensions that can be triggered by economic, cultural or demographic differences.
These tensions can be exacerbated by the perception of a lack of power and resources for minority groups and disenfranchised communities. The denial of rights, discrimination and oppression create a cycle of resentment and escalation into violence that can spread among entire communities.
These underlying factors fuel a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. For example, the disruption of economic activities impedes the development of local economies and can generate an influx of refugees, who in turn further contribute to instability. Furthermore, armed conflicts are not isolated: they can rapidly spread beyond their immediate geographic area, inducing spillover effects that affect neighbouring states and territories.
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