From the smouldering plains of Ukraine to the bustling streets of Khartoum, 2023 has been a year marked by conflict. While news headlines offer glimpses into these struggles, satellite imagery provides a unique perspective, revealing the scars etched onto the Earth’s surface by war and unrest.
Let’s take a journey through some of the major conflicts around the globe now, guided by the lens of satellites:
The Ongoing Crisis in Myanmar
Myanmar’s military coup, which began in February 2021, has plunged the country into chaos. Satellite images show the burning of villages and the mass displacement of Rohingya Muslims, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The War in Yemen
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has triggered what the UN calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia and Iran view each other as rivals, and the conflict in Yemen has become a battleground for their influence. Longstanding grievances against the Yemeni government, including poverty, corruption, and perceived discrimination against the Houthis, also were the reasons that fuelled their uprising. The current situation in Yemen remains complex and challenging.
The Houthi rebels, who have conflicted with the Yemeni government, continue to control large parts of western Yemen, including the capital Sana’a. The conflict has created what is considered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with millions of people in need of assistance, and a significant portion of the population facing the risk of famine.
Recently, there has been a notable escalation in the conflict, particularly in the Red Sea region. The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, disrupting maritime trade and raising international concern. These attacks have targeted a variety of vessels, not just those connected to Israel, which the Houthis claim to be targeting in solidarity with Gaza.
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to generate international concern. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have been engaged in intensive military operations in Gaza, focusing on dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure, particularly in northern Gaza. The conflict has now shifted to central and southern areas like Khan Younis and Rafah, with ongoing bombings and military activities.
More than 22,000 people, mainly women and children, have been reported killed since the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 240 hostages. In Gaza alone, the death toll has reached over 20,000, with tens of thousands injured. The conflict has led to massive displacement, with up to 1.9 million Gazans (approximately 85% of the population) displaced, some multiple times.
Satellite imagery has been used to document the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, track the destruction of Palestinian homes and infrastructure during military operations, and monitor the movement of goods and people across the Gaza border. This image, captured by Maxar Technologies, reveals the stark contrast of Gaza before and after the retaliation by Israel’s intense aerial bombardment of the territory – home to 2.2 million people.
The Grinding War in Ukraine
The brutal conflict in Ukraine, now in its second year, continues to dominate global attention. Satellite images paint a stark picture of destruction: obliterated buildings, pockmarked landscapes, and long lines of refugees fleeing their homes.
Sudan’s Power Struggle
Sudan’s internal conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has claimed over 10,000 lives. Satellite images of Khartoum International Airport reveal destroyed aeroplanes, a chilling testament to the violence that has gripped the nation.
The Syrian Civil War
More than a decade into the Syrian civil war, the country remains deeply scarred by the conflict. Satellite imagery has played a vital role in monitoring ceasefire violations, tracking the movement of troops and weaponry, and identifying mass graves. This image, taken by the Sentinel-2 satellite in October 2023, showcases the devastation inflicted on the city of Aleppo, with entire neighbourhoods levelled and infrastructure in ruins.
