| Vietnam War | Resistance War Against America | 20th | 1954 | 30 April 1975 | The Vietnam War, also known in Vietnam as the Resistance War Against America, has its roots in French Colonial rule. This drawn-out war was fought in the shadow of the Cold War. Fearing the spread of communism, the United States allied with the South Vietnamese State to fight an independence movement driven by communist North Vietnam and the Viet Mihn, led by Ho Chi Minh. More than three million people were killed with more than 25 per cent of the dead being civilians. | Asia |
| Paris Peace Accords | | 20th | 27 January 1973 | | The Paris Peace Accords, also known in Vietnam as the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam, were officially signed in 1973. They are the agreement that ended direct US military involvement in Vietnam. The stipulations included the withdrawal of American and foreign troops, freedom for American prisoners of war and US provision of economic assistance to rebuild infrastructure. The accords did not end the war as hostilities continued until 1975. | Asia |
| First Indochina War | Anti-French War | 20th | 1946 | 1954 | The First Indochina War, also known as the Anti-French War, was fought between France (supported by the US) and the Viet Minh, a communist independence movement who declared Vietnam's independence from France after World War II. Returning French colonial forces intent on bringing Vietnam under French colonial control again sparked an anti-colonial struggle for liberation by the Viet Minh. It caused over 175,000 civilian deaths, ended French colonial rule, and initiated the 1954 Geneva Accords. | Asia |
| Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Vietnam | | 20th | 21 July 1954 | | The Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Vietnam was one of the agreements set out in the 1954 Geneva Accords, also known as the Geneva Agreements. The agreements were reached during a conference whose focus included resolving the war between France and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Though attended by representatives from nine countries, the accords are considered a failure as the major nations did not sign the agreements or honour their terms. | Asia |
| Franco-Thai War | | 20th | 1941 | 1941 | The Franco-Thai War was fought when Thailand, led by its authoritarian leader Phibun invaded French Indochina, present-day Laos and Cambodia, to regain lost territories. French Indochina was a very lucrative colony governed by Vichy France. French success in this war against Thailand triggered Japanese involvement, which halted the war and forced France to cede substantial portions of Indochina to Thailand. Casualties were confined to both armed forces. | Asia |
| Cambodian-Vietnamese War | | 20th | 25 December 1978 | 1989 | The Cambodian-Vietnamese War, also known as the Counter-offensive on the Southwestern Border, was fought between Cambodia, under Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge control, and Vietnam. The Khmer Rouge regime’s systematic murder of nearly a quarter of Cambodia’s population, up to two million Cambodian nationals instigated this bloody war. It resulted in the removal of Pol Pot and his government from power but also over 3,000 Vietnamese civilian deaths, and deaths of nearly 30,000 Vietnamese troops. | Asia |
| Sino-Vietnamese War | War Against Chinese Expansionism | 20th | 17 February 1979 | 16 March 1979 | The Sino-Vietnamese War, also known as the War Against Chinese Expansionism, was fought between China and Vietnam. The war was triggered by the Vietnamese eradication of the pro-Beijing Khmer Rouge regime and its genocidal leader Pol Pot. Neither side made public the true number of casualties, but Western estimates suggest 10,000 Vietnamese deaths, and up to 28,000 Chinese deaths with 43,000 wounded. Although both countries claimed victory, the war is taboo, and bitter hostilities remain. | Asia |
| Cambodian Civil War | | 20th | 1967 | 1975 | The Cambodian Civil War was fought between forces of the Khmer Rouge, supported by North Vietnam and the Viet Cong, and the government forces of the Kingdom of Cambodia, heavily supported by The United States. The war evolved from small-scale peasant uprisings to a full-blown insurgency led by the anti-government Khmer Rouge. It led to the Cambodian Genocide in which up to nearly two million people died and 25% of the population were displaced. | Asia |
| Paris Peace Agreements | Comprehensive Cambodian Peace Agreements | 20th | 23 October 1991 | | The 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, also known as Comprehensive Cambodian Peace Agreements, were agreements that marked the end of the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. The agreements laid out a plan to end a conflict that had been going on for over 20 years, and was responsible for the deaths of nearly two million people under the Khmer Rouge regime. Under the terms of the agreement, the United Nations were to supervise the ceasefire and prepare the country for democratic elections. | Asia |
| Franco-Thai Peace Treaty | | 20th | 9 May 1941 | 17 November 1946 | The Franco-Thai Peace Treaty was a formal peace treaty between Thailand and France, mediated by the Japanese Empire. A ceasefire agreement was initially signed aboard the Japanese cruiser Natori, in Saigon, French Indochina, followed by the signing of the peace treaty by representatives from Thailand and France in Tokyo, Japan, officially ending the war. As part of the treaty, The Japanese dictated that France would return territories in Cambodia and Laos, back to Thailand, thus relinquishing France’s control of disputed border areas. | Asia |
| Franco-Thai Settlement Treaty | | 20th | 17 November 1946 | | The Franco-Thai Settlement Treaty of 1946 was a new peace treaty that annulled the Franco-Thai Peace Treaty of 1941. Following the end of WWII and the surrender of the Japanese Empire in August 1945, the Siamese government was keen to restore its relations with the Allied Powers. They agreed to the return of territories taken from France during the Franco-Thai War. In exchange, the French Government endorsed Siamese membership to the United Nations. | Asia |
| Vientiane Agreement | | 20th | 21 February 1973 | 15 August 1975 | The Vientiane Agreement was a cease-fire agreement signed by the warring factions in the Laotian Civil War, the Kingdom of Laos, and Pathet Lao, the communist faction. The treaty was signed in the Laos capital, Vientiane, and mandated the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Laos that were allied to each side. A new coalition government was formed but it did not last long and the treaty was annulled after the fall of the South Vietnamese government in 1975, when the communist Pathet Lao took over Laos. | Asia |
| Laotian Civil War | Secret War | 20th | 1959 | 02 December 1975 | The Laotian Civil War, also known as the Secret War, was a civil war fought between the Royal Lao Government, rightists under General Nosavan, and the Communist Pathet Lao. When the French Empire transferred its control of Laos to the Royal Lao Government, excluding the anti-colonial Pathet Lao movement, it incited civil war. The conflict was heavily supported by foreign Cold War superpowers engaged in a proxy war. Intense United States bombing has left Laos severely contaminated with unexploded weapons affecting the health of Laotians to this day. | Asia |
| Franco-Lao Treaty of Amity and Association | | 20th | 22 October 1953 | | The Franco-Lao Treaty of Amity and Association transferred France’s remaining political control to Laos. Although the Kingdom of Laos was proclaimed in 1947, France remained in control, and Laos remained a part of the colonial French Union. As anti-colonial independence movements gained momentum across Indochina, France agreed to offer Laos independence as a constitutional monarchy. France’s deliberate exclusion of the communist Pathet Lao movement in this new constitution sparked the Laotian Civil War. | Asia |
| French Conquest of Vietnam | | 19th | 1858 | 1885 | The French conquest of Vietnam was a long war fought between the French Empire and the Vietnamese Empire of Đại Nam. The decision to invade Vietnam was made by Napoleon III, and a French desire to control overseas markets, though this was behind the guise of a missionary project. The French Empire, later the French Third Republic, defeated the Vietnamese and Chinese allies. The French imposed a Western-style administration, opening newly claimed territories to economic exploitation. Between 1859 and 1883, all of Vietnam fell under French colonial control. | Asia |
| Thai–Lao Border War | Battle of Ban Romklao | 20th | 1987 | 1988 | The Thai–Lao Border War, also known as the Battle of Ban Romklao, was a conflict between Thai and Lao forces over a disputed border map produced by the French in 1907 that marked the border between Siam and French Indochina. Ownership of certain villages on the edge of Uttaradit Province was left unclear. Thai forces occupied the disputed Ban Romklao before the Lao Army drove them from the village. Conflict continued for weeks until a ceasefire in 1988. The Thai-Lao Joint Boundary Commission was established in 1996 to clarify the boundary and settle ownership of the disputed villages. | Asia |
| Franco-Siamese War | Incident of R.S. 112 | 19th | 1893 | 1893 | The Franco-Siamese War, also known as the Incident of R.S. 112, was between the Kingdom of Siam, present-day Thailand, and the French Third Republic. The French saw an opportunity to get ahead of Britain and extend their power into Laos, controlled by the Siamese, who were vulnerable after the Haw Wars. Siam finally ceded Laos to France, which led to the significant expansion of French Indochina. In 1896 France signed a treaty with Britain, enabling Siam to retain its national independence. It became a valuable buffer state between the French and English in the region until World War II. | Asia |
| Haw Wars | | 19th | 1865 | 1890 | The Haw Wars were a series of conflicts between the Kingdom of Siam, present-day Thailand, and bands of expatriate, quasi-military Chinese warriors known as Flag Gangs in Siam and the northern region of Vietnam. Most members of these gangs were fleeing from the suppression of the Taiping rebellion in China. Skilled in guerrilla warfare, the Flag Gangs used different coloured flags, including Red, Yellow, Black and Striped, representing specific causes ravaging northern Laos. The Haw Wars were succeeded by the Franco-Siamese War in 1893. | Asia |
| Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút | Trận Rạch Gầm – Xoài Mút | 18th | 1784 | 1785 | The Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút, also known as Trận Rạch Gầm – Xoài Mút in Vietnamese, was a conflict fought between the Vietnamese Tây Sơn forces and an army of Siam in present-day southern Vietnam. It is considered one of the greatest victories in Vietnamese history, as the Tây Sơn forces succeeded in a near annihilated of the Siamese army. A large historical monument commemorating the battle was built in the heart of Vietnam and is now one of the great attractions in Vietnam. | Asia |
| Lê-Mạc War | Chiến tranh Lê-Mạc; Hán tự | 16th | 1533 | 1677 | The Lê-Mạc War, also known as Chiến tranh Lê-Mạc; Hán tự in Vietnamese, was a civil war between two Vietnamese dynasties, the Mạc and Revival Lê, which took place during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period of Vietnamese history. The conflict began when Lê Ninh, the 13th emperor of the Later Lê dynasty and the first of the Revival Lê dynasty, sought the throne back from the Mac Dynasty, who had usurped it in 1527. His subsequent enthronement marked the return to power of the Later Lê dynasty. | Asia |
| Siamese-Vietnamese War (1771–1773) | | 18th | 1771 | 1773 | The Siamese-Vietnamese War of 1771–1773 was a war between the Nguyễn Lords of Cochinchina, Southern Vietnam and Siam, present-day Thailand, of the Thonburi Period, in the reign of King Taksin. Cambodia was also involved in this war as the Hà Tiên polity were staunch allies of the Nguyen Lord. The war had started in Hà Tiên, as the Siamese wanted control of the prosperous port city, which has historically switched allegiance between Cambodia and Vietnam. The war resulted in a Siamese victory. | Asia |
| Siamese-Vietnamese War (1831–1834) | | 19th | 1831 | 1834 | The Siamese-Vietnamese War of 1831–1834 was between Siam, present-day Thailand, and the Vietnamese under the Nguyen dynasty. Both Siam and Vietnam emerged as the primary powers in Indochina. Siam, intent on conquering Cambodia and southern Vietnam, defeated the Khmer Army at the Battle of Kompong Cham before being overcome by the armies of the Nguyễn dynasty. The outbreak of a general uprising in Cambodia and Laos forced the Siamese withdrawal, leaving Vietnam victorious, and annexed the eastern Cambodian province of Tây Thành into its territory. | Asia |
| Siamese-Vietnamese War (1841–1845) | Chiến tranh Việt–Xiêm | 19th | 1841 | 1845 | The Siamese-Vietnamese War of 1841–1845, also known as Chiến tranh Việt–Xiêm in Vietnamese, was fought between the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Siam, present-day Thailand, allied with Khmer anti-Vietnamese rebels against the Vietnamese Nguyễn dynasty. Khmer rebels were unhappy that the Vietnamese had installed a puppet queen to rule Cambodia, allied with Siam to fight against Vietnamese rule. After four years of warfare, both parties agreed to compromise and placed Cambodia under joint rule. | Asia |
| Yên Thế Insurrection | Khởi nghĩa Yên Thế | 19th, 20th | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Yên Thế Insurrection, also known as Khởi nghĩa Yên Thế in Vietnamese, was a 25 year-long uprising in the Yên Thế Mountains in the northern Tonkin region of Vietnam. The conflict was led by the popular Hoàng Hoa Thám, a Vietnamese feudal lord of Yên Thế, against French rule and the collaborative position of the Nguyễn dynasty. As the French Protectorate established under French colonial rule consolidated control in the region, Đề-Thám’s violent anti-French insurrection forced the French to make peace, ceding some administrations to Đề-Thám’s control. | Asia |
| Cần Vương Rebellion | | 19th | 1885 | Date and year unknown | The Cần Vương Rebellion was a large-scale Vietnamese uprising against French colonial rule. The objective was to expel the French and reinstate an independent Vietnam, with the Hàm Nghi Emperor as its leader. The insurgency consisted of multiple attacks on French troops by regional leaders in their provinces rather than a coordinated national attack formation which allowed the French to recover very quickly from their initial defeat and crush the rebellion, symbolising the end of the traditional Nguyen Dynasty. | Asia |
| Thái Nguyên Uprising | Khởi nghĩa Thái Nguyên | 20th | 1917 | 1918 | The Thái Nguyên Uprising, also known as Khởi nghĩa Thái Nguyên in Vietnamese, has been recorded as one of the most destructive and largest anti-French rebellions in French Indochina, present-day Vietnam. The uprising was different to earlier conflicts in the same period as this brought together political prisoners, outlaws and prison guards from over thirty provinces to mutiny at the largest prison in the region, the Thai Nguyen Penitentiary. Although initially successful, French forces quickly suppressed the uprising. | Asia |
| Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro | | 21st | 27 March 2014 | | The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a peace agreement signed between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the south of the country. Talks started in 1997, mediated first by Malaysia and later by an International Contact Group, which is a hybrid peace process support body. Under the agreement, the Philippine government committed to establishing the autonomy of Bangsamoro. In exchange, the Islamic separatists decommissioned its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. | Asia |
| 1976 Tripoli Agreement | | 20th | 23 December 1976 | | The 1976 Tripoli Agreement was signed by the Government of the Philippines, under Ferdinand Marcos and the Moro National Liberation Front in Tripoli, Libya. The agreement defined autonomous administrative divisions in southern Philippine areas of Basilan, Palawan and Sulu for Muslims. This included a ceasefire, and establishment of an autonomous government led by the MNLF with its own economic system, special security forces and judicial system. Marcos changed the Treaty, creating two autonomous regions instead of one, angering voters, who rallied to resume guerrilla warfare. | Asia |
| Jeddah Accord | | 20th | 3-4 January 1987 | | The Jeddah Accord was signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The Accord was a new Agreement to facilitate the discussion of a proposed full autonomy for areas in the southern Philippines, including Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan, as had been put forward in the previous 1976 Tripoli Agreement by the MILF. The Jeddah Accord was a means to bring to an end the hostilities between the MNLF and Philippine government and resume the talks that would lead to a new peace pact. | Asia |
| 1996 Final Peace Agreement | Jakarta Accord | 20th | 2 September 1996 | | The 1996 Final Peace Agreement, also known as the Jakarta Accord, was signed by the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). This accord was the result of four years of peace talks between the Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and Nur Misuari, MNLF’s leader. It stipulated the terms to fully implement the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, which had previously failed. The Accord was divided into two phases, with Indonesia as a member of ASEAN to assume responsibility for implementing the ceasefire. The Agreement earned Ramos and Misuari the 1997 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize. | Asia |
| Korean War | Fatherland Liberation War | 20th | 25 June 1950 | 27 July 1953 (de facto date) but still ongoing | The Korean War, also known as the Fatherland Liberation War and by other names, was fought between North Korea and South Korea when the former invaded the latter to unify Korea under the communist North Korean regime. North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union while South Korea was supported by the United States and allied countries. Millions of Koreans and Chinese died, with over 100,000 casualties for the UN forces involved. The fighting ended with an armistice and a new border drawn between North and South Korea called the demilitarised zone but technically both nations are still at war. | Asia |
| Korean DMZ Conflict | Second Korean War | 20th | 5 October 1966 | 3 December 1969 | The Korean DMZ Conflict, also known as the Second Korean War, was a series of low-level armed conflicts between North Korean forces and the allied forces of South Korea and the United States. It took place in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ),a border barrier that runs across the Korean Peninsula, dividing it roughly in half, and the meeting point for negotiations between both nations. The US instigated the conflict by breaking the armistice agreement of the Korean War and deploying its atomic missiles to South Korea. North Korea denounced this as an attempt to turn Korea into a US atomic warfare zone. | Asia |
| Japanese Invasions of Korea | Imjin War | 20th | 23 May 1592 | 16 December 1598 | The Japanese Invasions of Korea, also known as the Imjin War, were two separate invasions that happened within seven years between the Toyotomi regime of Japan and the Joseon and Ming dynasties, of Korea and China respectively. Japan invaded the Korean Peninsula with the intent to conquer Korea and China. While initially successful in occupying regions of the Peninsula, the Japanese forces were forced to withdraw following a military stalemate. Joseon forces suffered over one million military and civilian deaths. The Ming forces and Japanese forces suffered significantly less. | Asia |
| Ōei Invasion | Gihae Expedition | 15th | 20 June 1419 | 3 July 1419 | The Ōei Invasion, also known as the Gihae Expedition in Korea, was an invasion launched by the Joseon Dynasty forces against multi-ethnic groups of pirates called the Wokou. The Wokou were a combination of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean with bases on Tsushima Island, in the Tsushima Strait between the Korean Peninsula and Kyushu. Historical records of the invasions differ in Korean and Japanese accounts, with both sides suggesting the negotiations resulted in a Korean withdrawal and the end of Wokou activities in Korea. | Asia |
| Japan-Korea Treaty of Amity | Bingzi Treaty of Amity | 19th | 26 February 1876 | | The Japanese-Korean Treaty of Amity, also known as the Treaty of Ganghwa or the Bingzi Treaty of Amity was signed and agreed by Japan and Korea after the Ganghwa Island incident. Although the treaty stipulated that Korea held its own sovereign power and was an independent nation separate from the Qing dynasty, the treaty was unequal in its terms. The signing forced Korea to open its ports of Busan, Incheon and Wonsan to Japan, as well as grant Japan’s citizens extraterritorial rights. The Treaty made Korea more vulnerable to imperialistic agendas, and later led to Korea’s annexation by Japan. | Asia |
| Ganghwa Island Incident | Unyo Incident | 19th | 20 September 1875 | Date and year unknown | The Ganghwa Island Incident, also known as the Unyo Incident, was an armed conflict between the Empire of Japan and the Korean Kingdom under the Joseon dynasty, in the area of Ganghwa Island (present-day South Korea). Ganghwa Island and the Korean Peninsula had been a site of violent conflicts in the previous decade between various imperial powers, including the Japanese Empire as well as the Russian Empire, French Empire and Chinese Empire. The result ended in a Japanese victory with the Korean defences severely damaged. | Asia |
| French Expedition to Korea | Byeong-in Yangyo | 19th | 11 October 1866 | 22 November 1866 | The French expedition to Korea, also known as the Byeong-in Yangyo, was fought between the Second French Empire and the Joseon dynasty of the Kingdom of Korea. The French attacked Ganghwa Island in retaliation for the murder of seven French Catholic missionaries. The Koreans managed to repel the French attack, keeping French influence in the region at bay. Although this sustained Korea’s isolationism for another decade, the Japanese-Korean Treaty of Amity later forced Korea to open trade with Imperial Japan. | Asia |
| United States Expedition to Korea | Shinmiyangyo | 19th | 1 June 1871 | 3 July 1871 | The United States Expedition to Korea, also known as Shinmiyangyo in Korea, was a military conflict between the United States and the Joseon dynasty of the Kingdom of Korea, which took place in the vicinity of Ganghwa Island. The American military attack was a retaliation for the destruction of their merchant ship SS General Sherman, whose crews were engaged in an illegal attempt to force Korea to open up trade with America. The attack was a failure, resulting in the withdrawal of their forces and Korea maintaining their isolationist position. | Asia |
| Imo Incident | Jingo Incident | 19th | 23 July 1882 | Date and year unknown | The Imo Incident, also known as the Jingo Incident, was a violent uprising in Seoul, Korea involving soldiers of the Joseon Army, of the Kingdom of Korea and the wider Korean population. Violence broke out due to the growing anger amongst unpaid Korean soldiers against King Gojong's increasing support for reform and modernisation, along with his employment of Japanese military advisors in a restructure of the Joseon Army. The incident resulted in China reasserting its dominion over Korea through military presence and direct interference in Korean internal affairs. | Asia |
| Shufeldt Treaty | Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation | 19th, 20th | 22 May 1882 | 29 August 1910 | The Shufeldt Treaty, or the Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce and Navigation was the treaty negotiated between the United States and the Joseon dynasty of the Kingdom of Korea. The treaty was signed near present-day Seoul and was the first treaty between Korea and a Western nation. It was also a very unfair treaty for Korea, which while stipulating terms that included mutual friendship and assistance in case of attack, it included a clause that the United States would be the most favoured nation for trade and that American citizens would be granted extraterritorial rights. | Asia |
| Japan-Korea Treaty of 1910 | Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty | 20th | 22 August 1910 | 22 June 1965 | The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1910, also known as the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, was signed by representatives of the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire. The treaty was the formal annexation of Korea by Japan and followed previous treaties which made Korea a protectorate of Japan and which removed Korean administration over its own internal affairs. The annexation signalled by this treaty ended the existence of the Korean Empire, enabling Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula. South and North Korea maintain that the Japan-Korea treaties were illegal and invalid from the start. | Asia |
| Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905 | Eulsa Treaty | 20th | 17 November 1905 | | The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905, also called the Eulsa Treaty, Eulsa Unwilling Treaty, or the Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty, was made between the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire, making Korea a protectorate of Imperial Japan and depriving Korea of its diplomatic sovereignty. The Treaty was a result of the Japanese empire winning the 1905 Russo-Japanese War and forced the Korean Empire to end all diplomatic representations abroad. It was the basis for the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1907, which saw the annexation of Korea in 1910. | Asia |
| Japan-Korea Treaty of 1907 | | 20th | 24 July 1907 | | The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1907 was signed between the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire under the Joseon dynasty. Under the previous treaty of 1905, the Korean empire was already a protectorate of Japan. The provisions of this new treaty stipulated that Korea’s administration of internal affairs would be turned over to Japan. This gave Japan full control over all Korean government and policy, and also placed the Korean Army under Japanese control. When the Korean Emperor Gojong sent an envoy to the Hague Conference of World Peace in protest, Japan forced him to abdicate the throne. | Asia |
| Treaty of Shimonoseki | Treaty of Maguan | 19th | 17 April 1895 | | The Treaty of Shimonoseki, also known as the Treaty of Maguan, was signed at the peace conference held after the First Sino-Japanese War. The signatories were the Empire of Japan and Qing Dynasty of Imperial China and superseded the earlier Sino-Japanese Friendship and Trade Treaty of 1871. The terms stipulated that, along with Chinese economic reparations to Japan, the Qing dynasty would cede Liaodong Peninsula, Taiwan and the Penghu islands to Japan. The provisions also recognised the Joseon Dynasty of the Korean Empire as an independent and autonomous nation. | Asia |
| Donghak Peasant Revolution | Tonghak Uprising | 19th | 11 January 1894 | 25 December 1895 | The Donghak Peasant Revolution, also known as the Tonghak Uprising, was an armed peasant rebellion in Korea led by followers of the Donghak religion. Its followers were increasingly opposed to Western influences and called for social reform and equality for all peoples, which the Korean Government heavily opposed, calling for military aid from China to stop the violent uprisings. However, Japan sent in their forces despite not being asked. The rebels eventually laid down their arms to diffuse the situation, but the revolution instigated the first Sino-Japanese War regardless. | Asia |
| Malayan Emergency | Anti-British National Liberation War | 20th | 16 June 1948 | 31 July 1960 | The Malayan Emergency, also called the Anti-British National Liberation War, was fought between the Malayan National Liberation Army and the British Empire and Commonwealth. Aligned with imperialist interests, the incentive to call this an emergency and not a war was so British insurers would not have to pay out in case of war. Guerrilla fighters targeted British monetary assets such as rubber tree plantations, causing huge monetary losses. The British troops indulged in torture, decapitation, scalping, imprisoning 500,000 people in Internment Camps, and deporting 30,000 others. | Asia |
| Communist Insurgency in Malaysia | Second Malayan Emergency | 20th | 17 June 1968 | 2 December 1989 | The Communist Insurgency in Malaysia, also known as the Second Malayan Emergency, was an armed conflict between the Malaysian federal forces and the Malayan Communist Party (MCP),led by the ethnically Chinese leader Chin Peng. It also coincided with renewed domestic tensions between ethnic Chinese and Malays. Rooted in the 1948 insurrection, the insurgency lasted over 20 years, with Britain viewing Peng as dangerous as Osama bin Laden. The MCP were also offered financial backing from China to launch the revolt. The MCP was disbanded after a peace agreement was signed in 1989. | Asia |
| Peace Agreement of Hat Yai 1989 | | 20th | 2 December 1989 | | The Peace Agreement of Hat Yai 1989 was a peace agreement signed by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) and both Malaysia and Thailand. The peace accord marked the end of the Communist insurgency in Malaysia which had been going on for over two decades. Although it did not stipulate the surrender of the MCP, the provisions requested that the MCP cease all militant activities, destroy their armed weapons and disband their armed units. They were also required to pledge allegiance to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, unofficially known as the King of Malaysia. | Asia |
| Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation | Borneo Confrontation | 20th | 20 January 1963 | 11 August 1966 | The Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, also known as the Borneo Confrontation or by the Indonesian/Malay name of Konfrontasi, was an armed conflict between Indonesia and Malaysia allied with Commonwealth forces. The conflict stemmed from Indonesia’s opposition to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. Indonesia’s view was that the status of the new Federation of Malaysia would be neocolonial, as Britain would maintain military bases in Malaya and Singapore. Once Indonesia’s President Sukarno was ousted, the dispute ended and Malaysia was formed. | Asia |
| Indonesian National Revolution | Indonesian War of Independence | 20th | 17 August 1945 | 27 December 1949 | The Indonesian National Revolution, also called the Indonesian War of Independence, was an armed conflict between the Republic of Indonesia and the Dutch Empire. It was sparked by social revolution following Indonesia’s proclamation for independence and challenging of colonial Dutch-established social order and the Dutch Empire, intent on re-establishing their colony in South East Asia. Anti-Japanese resentment was also widespread. Although it resulted in a military victory for the Dutch, Indonesian independence was recognised and the United States of Indonesia was formed. | Asia |
| Darul Islam Rebellion | | 20th | 7 August 1949 | 2 September 1962 | The Darul Islam Rebellion was a thirteen-year war waged between the Darul Islam, who were the Islamic State of Indonesia, against the Government of Indonesia. The war began when a former Indonesian nationalist called Sekarmadji Maridjan Kartosuwirjo refused to recognise the new Republic of Indonesia and proclaimed the establishment of the Islamic State of Indonesia instead. Kartosuwirjo was captured and executed in 1965. Although his execution resulted in the dissolution of Dar Islam, some of its supporters created a new Islamic movement known as Komando Jihad. | Asia |
| Papua Conflict | | 20th, 21st | 1 October 1962 | Ongoing | The Papua Conflict is an ongoing conflict between Indonesia and the Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, or OPM),based in Western New Guinea. The conflict started after the 1963 administration of Indonesia was formed, following the withdrawal of the colonial Dutch administration from the Netherlands New Guinea in 1962. Indonesia has been accused of running a police state and conducting a genocidal campaign against Indigenous people of New Guinea by the Free Papua Movement. Deaths have been estimated to be between 100,000 and 500,000. | Asia |
| Indonesian Invasion of East Timor | Operation Lotus | 20th | 7 December 1975 | 17 July 1976 | The Indonesian Invasion of East Timor, also known as Operation Lotus in Indonesia, was a bloody conflict between Indonesia and East Timor, resulting in a 25-year occupation of East Timor by Indonesian military forces lasting until 1999. Indonesia invaded East Timor to overthrow the Fretilin regime, under the pretext of fighting colonialism and communism. Indonesian forces were responsible for the East Timor genocide, and at least 70% of deaths. It is estimated that over 185,000 deaths were linked to this conflict, which resulted in East Timor becoming a province of Indonesia. | Asia |
| Java War (1741-1743) | Chinese War | 18th | 1 February 1741 | Early 1743 | The Java War (1741-1743),also called the Chinese War, was fought between ethnic Chinese and Javanese forces against the Dutch Colonial Government forces and Pro-Dutch Javanese. After increasing anti-Chinese sentiment, Dutch troops of the VOC (The Dutch East India Company) deported thousands of Chinese while simultaneously massacring 10,000 ethnic Chinese in Batavia (present-day Jakarta) which instigated the war. It ended with a Dutch victory and major reforms to secure profitability of Dutch colonies, gaining the Dutch East India Company large regions of coastal land. | Asia |
| Java War | Diponegoro War | 19th | 25 September 1825 | 28 March 1830 | The Java War, or Diponegoro War, was fought between the colonial Dutch Empire and native Javanese rebels, led by Prince Diponegoro. The Prince had initially been cooperative with the Dutch, however growing resentment due to various factors, including his succession to the throne being passed over, led him to revolt. Under his leadership, rebels engaged in guerrilla tactics challenging Dutch rule for five years before the prince was captured and subsequently exiled. The Dutch victory and costly war resulted in the implementation of major reforms throughout the Dutch East Indies. | Asia |
| Insurgency in Aceh | Rebellion in Aceh | 20th | 4 December 1976 | 15 August 2005 | The Insurgency in Aceh, also known officially by the Indonesian government as the Rebellion in Aceh, was a conflict fought by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) against the government of Indonesia to make the province of Aceh independent from Indonesia. The Indonesian government had support from the United States, while the GAM had support from the Libyan Arab Jamarhiriya. The government led a strong military offensive which saw over 15,000 deaths on the rebel side. Following the tsunami of 2004, a peace agreement was signed to bring the insurgency to an end and grant Aceh special autonomy. | Asia |
| Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding | Helsinki Agreement | 21st | 15 August 2005 | | The Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),also known as the Helsinki Agreement, was signed by representatives from the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM) in Helsinki, Finland. It brought an end to the conflict in Aceh that had been ongoing with varying levels of intensity for nearly three decades. Previous peace talks failed to bring the insurgency to an end, but battle fatigue amongst rebel forces, a presidential election in 2004, and the devastating tsunami of 2004, accelerated the need to find a peaceful solution. | Asia |
| Maji Maji Rebellion | | 20th | July 1905 | August 1907 | The Maji Maji Rebellion was an armed rebellion of Islamic and animist Africans against German colonial rule in German East Africa (present-day Tanzania) from 1905-07. At the turn of the century, Germany had a relatively weak hold on the colony of German East Africa and resorted to violent tactics to control its population and relied heavily on forced labour to build roads and grow cotton for export. In 1905, in open rebellion, insurgents used magic to unify their cause to drive out the colonisers. The war led to famine, caused in large part by the German military governance’s genocidal policies. | Asia |
| First Jewish–Roman War | Great Jewish Revolt | 1st | 66 | 73 | The First Jewish-Roman War, also known as The Great Jewish Revolt, was the first of three notable rebellions of the Jewish people against the Roman Empire. It took place in Roman-controlled Judea, present-day Israel. A series of clashes between the Romans and Jewish people escalated with anti-taxation protests and attacks on Romans in the lead-up to the rebellion. In 66 AD, the Jews expelled the Romans from Jerusalem and formed a revolutionary government. Roman armies fought back, which resulted in the burning of the Temple, the destruction of towns and the collapse of the Jewish state. | Asia |
| Kitos War | | 2nd | 115 | 117 | The Kitos War was an uprising of Jewish people in Cyrenaica, present-day Libya. Whilst Roman armies focused on fighting in Trajan’s Parthian War, the movement spread into revolts in Egypt, Cyprus and Judea, present-day Israel. Other cities with substantial Jewish populations in Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq, and present-day Turkey also joined in the uprising, which was known for its brutality and human tragedy. The revolt ended with the Roman army forcing the rebels into hardship in Lydda, present-day Lod, Israel. | Asia |
| Bar Kokhba Revolt | Third Jewish–Roman War | 2nd | 132 | 135 | The Bar Kokhba revolt, or the Third Jewish-Roman War, happened in Judea, present-day Israel. The Jewish people strove to restore an independent Judean state after a rise in Roman military presence in Judea, restrictions on Jewish religious observances, the construction of a new city in Jerusalem and a temple to Jupiter on Temple Mount. The revolt’s outcome consisted of many casualties on both sides and the extensive depopulation of Jewish people and Judean villages where, according to Christian sources, the Jewish people were forbidden from entering Jerusalem. | Asia |
| Trajan’s Parthian War | | 2nd | 115 | 117 | The Trajan’s Parthian War was the Roman Emperor Trajan’s invasion against the Parthian Empire in the historical region of Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq. In 114, the Romans invaded and annexed Armenia as a Roman province. In 115, they annexed upper Mesopotamia before capturing the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon, southeast of present-day Baghdad. The Parthians fought back at the Romans while revolts happened elsewhere, and Roman military resources were under pressure. Trajan installed the Parthian prince Parthamaspates as a client ruler and withdrew to Syria. | Asia |
| Second Anglo-Afghan War | | 19th | 1878 | 1880 | The Second Anglo-Afghan War between the British Raj and the Emirate of Afghanistan was part of the Great Game of the British and Russian Empires’ rivalry in Afghanistan and Central and South Asia. Britain wanted to ensure that Afghanistan remained free from Russian interference, and in November 1878, they invaded Afghanistan via India. A treaty was signed, but peace was short-lived. A second campaign followed where British forces were dispatched again. The siege ended with an agreement for Afghanistan to be a buffer between the British and Russian Empires. | Asia |
| Indian Rebellion of 1857 | First War of Independence | 19th | 1857 | 1859 | The Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as The First War of Independence, was a major uprising against British rule in India. The pretext of the revolt was rising discontent between the Sepoys in service to the British East India Company and invasive British social reforms. The Sepoy’s rebellion began in Meerut and led to the seizing of Delhi, where they nominally restored the Mughal emperor. The Sepoys captured large parts of the North-Western Provinces until British operations suppressed the rebellion. Peace was declared in 1859. | Asia |
| Third Anglo-Burmese War | Third Burma War | 19th | 7 November 1885 | 29 November 1885 | The Third Anglo-Burmese War, also known as the Third Burma War, occurred in November 1885. It followed two previous wars between the Burmese and Britain’s concern about a political alliance between Burma and France. After a dispute over a fine on the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation and Britain’s claims that the Burmese courts were corrupt, the British demanded that Burma submit to British control. The war resulted in the loss of the Konbang Dynasty’s sovereign rule in Upper Burma, with all of Burma coming under the power of the British Raj as a province of British India. | Asia |
| Turkish War of Independence | | 20th | 1919 | 1923 | The Turkish War of Independence occurred after World War I, after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire and when parts of Anatolia were occupied by the Allies and partitioned in the Treaty of Sèvres. The Turkish National Movement was led by Mustafa Kemal Pasha, also known as Atatürk, who led a series of military campaigns following the Greeks’ occupation of Izmir in 1919. After multiple battles, the Allies left present-day Turkey, and settlements were achieved with the Treaty of Kars in 1921 and the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. The Republic of Turkey was established on 29 October 1923. | Asia |
| Franco-Syrian War | | 20th | 1920 | 25 July 1920 | The Franco-Syrian War occurred between France and the Hashemites of the Arab Kingdom. In 1920 the French asserted control over the whole country when the French high commissioner for Syria, General Gouraud, demanded that King Feisel of Syria accept a French mandate in two days. The King requested an extension and accepted after four days. The French invaded Damascus, and the war resulted in a French victory with a pro-French government in Syria and the exile of the Hashemite King Faisal to Iraq, where he became the new King. | Asia |
| Armenian Genocide | | 20th | 1915 | 1916 | The Armenian Genocide happened during World War I and refers to the genocide of Armenian people living in the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman’s military and territorial losses led to a fear that the Armenians would seek independence in their homeland and be persuaded to join enemy troops. The Ottomans arrested and deported Armenian intellectuals and leaders from present-day Istanbul before death marches and concentration camps ensued, whilst women and children were forcibly converted to Islam. The genocide ended more than two thousand years of Armenian civilisation in eastern Anatolia. | Asia |
| Treaty of Gandamak | | 19th | 26 May 1879 | Date and year unknown | The Treaty of Gandamak was signed by King Mohammad Yaqub Khan of Afghanistan and Sir Louis Cavagnari of British India to end the first phase of the Second Anglo-Afghan War. The Amir surrendered control over Afghani foreign relations policy and agreed to a British Mission in Kabul. The treaty is considered the prelude to the second phase of The Second Anglo-Afghan War, when the British Mission in Kabul were massacred, and another British invasion followed. King Mohammad Yaqub Khan was expelled to India, and in 1880, the British appointed a new Amir who accepted the treaty. | Asia |
| Byzantine-Ottoman Wars | | 13th, 14th, 15th | 1299 | 1479 | The Byzantine-Ottoman Wars were a series of conflicts between the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, which resulted in an Ottoman victory and the rise of their Empire after the Fall of Constantinople, present-day Istanbul, Turkey, in 1451. The Byzantine Empire was in chaos, and morale was weak. The wars between 1299 to 1479 included multiple sieges and the Battle of Ankara, Bapheus, Dimbos and Pelekanon, all located in present-day Turkey. They concluded with the loss of the Byzantine Empire. | Asia |
| Cyprus Emergency | Greek Cypriot War of Independence | 20th | 1955 | 1959 | The Cyprus Emergency, also known as the Greek Cypriot War of Independence, was a military campaign against British rule in Cyprus. Greek Cypriots were dissatisfied with British rule in Cyprus and wanted a union with Greece. They formed The National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters, a guerrilla campaign to drive out the British. The British, who had ruled Cyprus since 1878, fought back as they wanted to base the Suez military headquarters in Cyprus. The uprisings ended with the London-Zürich Agreements that established the Republic of Cyprus, a non-partitioned independent state. | Asia |
| Duar War | Anglo-Bhutan War | 19th | 1864 | 1865 | The Duar War, also known as the Anglo-Bhutan War, occurred when Britain made multiple missions into Bhutan during the 19th century, with cross-border raids by Bhutan as the cause recorded in official documents. Modern historians note Britain’s imperial aims as the pretext for the interest in Bhutan. While the civil war was taking place, Britain sent a peace envoy to Bhutan, but this was rejected. In November 1864, Britain declared war. The conflict lasted five months and resulted in a treaty where Bhutan lost 20 per cent of its territory and occupied territories in return for an annual subsidy. | Asia |
| Egyptian Revolution of 1919 | | 20th | 1919 | 1919 | The Egyptian Revolution of 1919 was between Egyptians against the British protectorate of Egypt and Sudan. Egyptians were dissatisfied with the British occupying Egypt during World War I and expected self-government due to Allied promises made during the war. The British role as a protectorate of Egypt was to protect the British Empire to the east. Social unrest and support for Egypt’s independence led to uprisings, demonstrations and strikes. The British issued a unilateral declaration of Egypt’s independence in 1922. | Asia |
| Portuguese-Egyptian Mamluk Naval War | | 16th | 1505 | 1517 | The Portuguese-Egyptian Mamluk War was a naval conflict between the Egyptian Mamluk state and the Portuguese Empire. The war followed the Portuguese expansion of their Empire in Calicut, where trade links between India and Egypt were interrupted, and the Portuguese destroyed Arab ships. The Portuguese wished to monopolise the Euro-Indian spice trade and stop the spice trade through the Red Sea, while the Mamluks allied with the Venetians, whose trade links were also interrupted. The conflict ended with the fall of the Mamluk Sultanate by the Ottomans in 1517. | Asia |
| Egyptian Revolution of 1952 | | 20th | 23 July 1952 | 23 July 1952 | The Egyptian Revolution of 1952 began with a coup to overthrow King Farouk thought to be corrupt, pro-British, and to blame for the country’s losses in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The Revolution itself was led by the Free Officers Movement and aimed to end the constitutional monarchy, secure Sudan’s independence, and end the British occupation of Egypt. The Revolt led to the establishment of the Republic of Egypt in 1953, and the last British troops left Egypt in June 1956. | Asia |
| Muslim–Quraysh War | | 7th | 13 March 0624 | Date contested | The Muslim–Quraysh War was a six-year-long conflict in Hejaz in present-day Saudi Arabia. The war was a military and religious conflict between early Muslims led by the Prophet Muhammad and the Arab Quraysh Tribe. It began with the Battle of Badr, after which more battles and an invasion followed until the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah established an armistice between the Muslims, the Quraysh and their allies. Allies of the Quraysh violated the treaty, attacking allies of the Muslims. The conflict ended with the conquest of Mecca and the fall of the Quraysh Tribe. | Asia |
| Treaty of Hudaybiyyah | | 7th | 628 | Date and year unknown | The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was a peace treaty between the Prophet Muhammad and the Quraysh Tribe of Mecca. Muhammad represented the state of Medina and his early Muslim followers. The treaty agreed on ten years of peace between Medina and Qurayshi-ruled Mecca. It also enabled Muhammad and his followers to return to Mecca on a peaceful pilgrimage, now known as The First Pilgrimage. The treaty itself was an indirect recognition of the Islamic state in Medina. When Muhammad died in 632 AD, almost all tribes of the Arabian Peninsula had converted to Islam. | Asia |
| Arab–Byzantine Wars | | 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th | 629 | Date and year unknown | The Arab-Byzantine Wars were a series of conflicts between the 7th and 11th centuries. It was between the Muslim Arab dynasties of the Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates and the Byzantine Empire. In 629, Muhammad sent letters to the Kings of Persia, Yemen and Ethiopia and the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius to accept Islam. Syria and Egypt came under Muslim Arab rule, but the Byzantines controlled areas in Asia Minor. The war consisted of sieges and battles for these Byzantine-ruled areas. Conflict continued between the Byzantine and Islamic Empires, which shifted into the Byzantine-Seljuk Wars. | Asia |
| Ridda Wars | Wars of Apostasy | 7th | 632 | 633 | The Ridda Wars, or the Wars of Apostasy, were a series of military engagements between the Rashidun Caliphate and rebel forces of Arabian tribes, apostates and self-proclaimed prophets. Rebels had renounced their allegiance to the Islamic Empire after the death of Muhammad. Abu Bakr, the first elected Caliph, sought to defeat the rebellions, unite the tribes and consolidate control of the region. Tulayha led the first attack on the Caliphate to capture Medina. The wars resulted in the defeat of the rebellions and the Rashidun Caliphate securing control of the Arabian Peninsula. | Asia |
| Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 | Treaty of Rawalpindi | 20th | 8 August 1919 | Date and year unknown | The Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919, also known as The Treaty of Rawalpindi, was a peace treaty between Britain and Afghanistan. The treaty marked the end of the Third Anglo-Afghan War that began after the new ruler of Afghanistan, Amānullāh Khan, announced the country’s independence from Britain. The treaty recognised Afghanistan as an independent country with the Durand line as their border. It also saw the end of Afghanistan’s subsidy from Britain, the receipt of funds from their neutral position in World War I and the country’s import of arms through India. | Asia |
| Soviet–Afghan War | | 20th | 1979 | 1989 | The Soviet-Afghan War was an armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Uprisings against the new Afghan communist government from anti-communist Islamic guerrillas forming the Afghan mujahideen prompted Soviet troops to enter. The new Afghan communist government had little popular support due to the social and land reforms from the mainly anti-communist and Muslim populations. The Soviets intervened, in support of the government, to uphold the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978 but withdrew after the United States entered to support the mujahideen. | Asia |
| Zaraniq Rebellion | | 20th | 1909 | 1910 | The Zaraniq Rebellion occurred in Yemen Vilayet, present-day Yemen, where the Zaraniq Tribe rose against the Ottoman Empire. The uprising began due to the Zaraniq’s opposition to the extension of telegraph lines through their territory and the fact that the Ottomans rejected their demand for the imprisoned sons of their leaders to be released. The Ottomans responded to the resistance with force, refusing amnesty to the Zaraniq Tribe unless they were unarmed. The fighting between the two sides was inconclusive. It is unclear if this offer was accepted. | Asia |
| Carnatic Wars | | 18th | 1744 | 1763 | The Carnatic Wars consisted of three conflicts directly resulting from the English-French rivalry in Europe and India. The British, French, Marathas and Mysore fought for control over the eastern coastal strip of India and the Carnatic region, which was a dependency of Hyderabad State. Regional succession disputes and India’s unsettled political situation led the French East India Company and the British East India Company to intervene. The third and final Carnatic War, or Seven Years’ War, saw the British defeat the French. The war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. | Asia |
| Russo-Persian War | | 19th | 1804 | 1813 | The Russo-Persian War was between the Persian Empire and Imperial Russia. Persia wanted to consolidate present-day Georgia, annexed by Russia after the Russo-Persian War of 1796. Both the Persian king and Russian Tsar wanted control of the disputed territories. Russia’s attack and capture of Ganja, Azerbaijan, started the war and was perceived as a direct threat to the Iranian royal dynasty of Qajar rule. The war ended with the Treaty of Gulistan, in which Georgia, Dagestan, present-day Azerbaijan, and parts of Armenia ceded to Imperial Russia. | Asia |
| Yemen Civil War | | 21st | 2014 | Ongoing | The Yemeni Civil War began when the Islamist political Houthi movement took control of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a. The Houthi takeover in Yemen followed, forcing the then-president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to flee. There had been long-standing unresolved conflict between the government and the Houthis, who had captured territory in the north whilst civilians were increasingly discontent with the government and the regional partitioning of the country. Since 2015 there have been failed ceasefires and alliances, leaving Yemen in an economic and humanitarian crisis and political stalemate. | Asia |
| Treaty of Gulistan | | 19th | 1813 | | The Treaty of Gulistan was a peace treaty between the Russian Empire and Iran. The treaty concluded the 1804-1813 Russo-Persian War after Russia stormed Lankaran in Persia, present-day Azerbaijan, near the Southern border of Iran. Russia had wanted to expand their control over its neighbouring territories, and Persia had wanted to reassert control over Georgia and protect its north-western borders. The treaty confirmed the ceding and inclusion of territories from Iran into the Russian Empire. | Asia |
| Bengal War | | 18th | 1756 | 1765 | The Bengal War between 1756 and 1765 was between the Mughal Empire and the British East India Company. The Mughal emperor, Shah Alam II, wanted to recapture Bengal from the British, who had annexed Bengal since the Seven Years’ War and refused to pay taxes to the Mughal Empire. Emperor Shah Alam II announced war and formed a coalition with the Nawab of Bengal. The decisive Battle of Plassey and Battle of Buxar were both part of this war, concluding in a victory for the British East India Company. | Asia |
| Siege of Trichinopoly | | 18th | 1743 | 1743 | The Siege of Trichinopoly took place in Trichinopoly, present-day Tamil Nadu, under Maratha rule. The Nizam of Hyderabad was enraged by the Maratha’s control over the region, which had been an autonomous dominion of the Mughal Empire under Nizam’s control. Additionally, Dalavayi Devarajaiya, a maharaja of Mysore, offered the Nizam 10,000,000 rupees in return for Trichinopoly. The Nizam ordered a siege, and the Marathas surrendered Trichonopoly and the Madurai territory. The Nizam regained control over the region. | Asia |
| Suez Crisis | Second Arab-Israeli War | 20th | 1956 | 1956 | The Suez Crisis, or the Second Arab-Israeli War or Tripartite Aggression, began when Israel invaded Egypt, followed by the United Kingdom and France. Israel wanted to reopen the blocked sea passages between the Sinai and Arabian peninsulas, the Straits of Tiran. Western powers wanted to regain control of the Suez Canal and remove the Egyptian president who had nationalised the Suez Canal Company. The conflict concluded with a military peacekeeping operation from the United Nations that would police the Egyptian-Israeli border and end the blockade of the Straits of Tiran. | Asia |
| Treaty of Georgievsk | | 18th | 24 July 1783 | | The Treaty of Georgievsk was between the Russian Empire and Kartli-Kakheti. Catherine the Great and Heraclius II signed the treaty. The treaty guaranteed Georgia’s territorial integrity against the threat of Ottoman invasion and the continuation of the Bagratid dynasty while establishing eastern Georgia as a protectorate of Russia, where Russia would have a say in their foreign affairs. Russia would defend Georgia, and Georgia would support Russia in war. Russia failed to uphold their end of the deal and did nothing to help Kartli-Kakhetivery during the Battle of Krtsanisi in 1795. | Asia |
| First Lebanon War | | 20th | 06 June 1982 | 1985 | The First Lebanon War was an Israeli military invasion of Southern Lebanon. The attack followed previous conflicts between the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Israeli Defence Forces. The war began after Abu Nidal’s Organisation, a Palestinian nationalist group, who were enemies of PLO, attempted to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. Israel attacked and occupied Lebanon but withdrew to the south while the Lebanese Civil War was ongoing and Syrian influence in Lebanon increased. | Asia |
| Roman–Persian Wars | | 7th | Date and year unknown | 627 | The Roman–Persian Wars were a series of military conflicts between the Greco-Roman Empire and the Parthian and Sasanian Empires of Iran. Both sides were imperial powers who wanted to establish and secure territories and overcome regional divides. After decades of fighting, the wars concluded with the early Muslim conquests, leading to the fall of the Sasanian Empire and territorial losses for the Byzantine Empire. | Asia |
| Byzantine-Sasanian War of 602-628 | | 7th | 602 | 628 | The Byzantine-Sasanian War of 602-628 was the final war in a series of conflicts between the Byzantine Empire and the Sasanian Empire of Iran. The conflict began when the Eastern Roman Emperor Maurice was murdered by Phocas, who had led the mutiny of 602 and then became Emperor. Maurice had helped Khosrow II, the Sasanian king, to regain his throne, and his murder invoked Khosrow II to declare war on the Byzantines. Both sides exhausted their resources during the war, which led to a status quo after the Sasanians withdrew from occupied territories. | Asia |
| Byzantine-Seljuk Wars | | 11th | 1048 | 1380 | The Byzantine-Seljuk Wars were a series of battles between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuks Turks, resulting in a shift in power over Syria and West Asia from the Byzantines to the Seljuks. The Byzantine Empire, weakened by rebellions, lacked in numbers to defend its territories. Seljuk Turks from Central Asia were expanding westward, where they migrated to Persia and invaded present-day Kayseri and Konya in Turkey. The Byzantines wanted to regain lost territory and led a campaign against the Seljuks in the Battle of Manzikert, which resulted in the Byzantine’s defeat. | Asia |
| Babylonian War | | 4th BC | 312 BC | 310 BC | The Babylonian War was a conflict between the Antigonid dynasty and the Seleucid Empire that followed the disintegration of the Macedonian Empire after Alexander the Great’s death. Antigonus I Monophthalmus held authority over various regions, and he expelled Seleucus I Nicator from Babylon, south of present-day Baghdad, and excluded him from the Peace of the Dynasts. Seleucus aimed to return to his capital Babylon, reinforced with a Macedonian veteran army. Antigonus retreated, and Seleucus regained Babylonia and regions of present-day Iran. | Asia |
| Ottoman–Safavid War of 1532–1555 | | 16th | 1532 | 1555 | The Ottoman–Safavid War of 1532–1555 was a military conflict between the Ottoman and Safavid Empires. The two empires’ disputes over territories and the assassination of the governor of Baghdad by the Safavid Empire’s leader, Tahmasp I, led to the outbreak of war. The Ottomans captured land in Tabriz and Baghdad in the first campaign and made further territorial gains in the second campaign. The third campaign saw the Peace of Amasya Treaty between the Safavids and Ottomans, securing territorial gains and returns. | Asia |
| Ottoman–Safavid War of 1623–1639 | | 17th | 1623 | 1639 | The Ottoman–Safavid War of 1623 to 1639 between the Ottoman and Safavid Empires was the last of a series of conflicts regarding control over Mesopotamia, a historical region consisting of present-day Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Syria and Turkey. The Persian Safavid Empire recaptured Baghdad and the majority of present-day Iraq that the Ottomans had previously seized, but the Ottomans fought back and recovered control over Iraq. The Treaty of Zuhab ended the war and settled the Ottoman-Persian frontier. | Asia |
| Greco-Persian Wars | Persian Wars | 5th BC | Date and year unknown | 449 BCE | The Greco-Persian Wars, also known as the Persian Wars, were a series of wars between the Achaemenid Empire of Persia and Greek city-states over almost 50 years. Cyrus the Great, leader of the Achaemenid Empire, conquered the Greek-inhabited ancient region of Ionia, an area south of present-day Izmir. The Ionians rejected Cyrus’ wishes for them to join him in revolt against the Lydians. The Persians struggled to control Ionian cities and appointed tyrants to control them. Battles elsewhere took place, eventually resulting in a Greek victory. | Asia |
| South Yemen Civil War | | 20th | 1986 | 1986 | The South Yemen Civil War happened following rising tensions and ideological differences between two factions of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP). Abdul Fattah Ismail had been the YSP’s General Secretary but resigned in 1980, believing his rivals were preparing to assassinate him. Muhammad was his successor, but the YSP became increasingly polarised between Ismail and Muhammad’s supporters. Tensions escalated into conflict, resulting in the death of Ismail and the defeat and exile of al-Toghmah. | Asia |
| Anglo-Turkish War | | 19th | 1807 | 1809 | The Anglo-Turkish War was between the United Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire. The war happened after the Ottoman Empire rejected Britain’s demands to surrender the Dardanelles waterway in present-day Turkey, which was only open to the French. The rejection led to the Dardanelles operation and the Alexandria Expedition of 1807, which resulted in a treaty agreeing that no warships should enter the Dardanelles, restoring British privileges in the Ottoman Empire and the promise that Britain would protect the Ottomans against the French. | Asia |
| Simko Shikak Revolt | | 20th | 1918 | 1922 | The Simko Shikak Revolt was an uprising led by Simko Shikak of the Kurdish Shekak Tribe against the Qajar dynasty of Iran from 1918 to 1922. The Ottoman Empire supported the revolt, which consisted of regional invasions to expand areas under Shikak’s control. Eventually, the Iranian army defeated Simko, whose soldiers took refuge in present-day Turkey. Britain and Iraq were accused by the Iranian government of encouraging the unrest. The revolt ended with Brigadier-General Reza Khan’s 1921 coup after he deposed the Qajar dynasty of Iran and defeated rebels, including Simko Shikak. | Asia |
| Saudi-Yemeni War | | 20th | 1934 | 1934 | The Saudi-Yemeni War was a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen which began when the Saudi Kingdom expanded into Yemeni-controlled areas. Yemen and Saudi Arabia both wished to control territory previously under Ottoman rule. Saudi Arabia declared war and captured the cities of Hajara and Najran. Reports are contradictory, stating that Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, was both in upheaval and under the Imam of Yemen’s control. The Treaty of Taif demanded 20 years of peace and concluded the war when Saudi troops left Yemen in July 1934 but remained in other parts of Saudi Arabia. | Asia |
| War of Attrition | | 20th | Date and year unknown | 1970 | The War of Attrition was an inconclusive war between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and their allies. War commenced as Egypt wanted to regain Sinai from Israel, who had seized the peninsula in the Six-Day War in June 1967. In August 1970, Israel, Jordan, and Egypt agreed to a ceasefire. Egypt’s Alliance with the Soviet Union reignited the conflict by defying the agreement with new military installations, and Israel responded with a large-scale retaliation. | Asia |
| Wars of the Diadochi | | 4th BC, 3rd BC | 322 BCE | 281 BCE | The Wars of the Diadochi, also known as the Wars of Succession, were a series of conflicts led by army generals over tensions about who would rule Alexander the Great’s Empire following his death and the lack of a clear successor. Competition between the commanders escalated, some wanted to keep the Empire intact, and others wanted to establish their own rule. The three-decade-long war resulted in the emergence of three successor states, Macedonia, Egypt and the Seleucid Empire. | Asia |
| Yom Kippur War | Ramadan War | 20th | 1973 | 1973 | The Yom Kippur War, or The Ramadan War, was a conflict between Israel and an Arab coalition of states led by Egypt and Syria. Both wanted to regain territory captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel had wanted to return the land in exchange for a peace settlement and demilitarisation, but it was not formally or officially proposed. Surprise attacks began on Yom Kippur, a Jewish holy day, during Islam-observed Ramadan. Egypt and Syria coordinated invasions of the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights. Israel fought back and entered Egypt before ceasefires were brokered and imposed. | Asia |
| First Crusade | | 11th | 1095 | Date and year unknown | The First Crusade was a military campaign from the Byzantines, backed by Pope Urban II as a religious quest to capture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Islamic rule under the Seljuk Empire. The Byzantine emperor, Alexios I Komnenos, also saw the war as a chance to control Anatolia. The Seljuks had taken control of most of Anatolia, northern Syria and Jerusalem, which they had seized from their rivals, the Shiite Fatimids. The war consisted of sieges from what is known as the People’s Crusade and the Princes’ Crusade and resulted in Christian rule over Jerusalem. | Asia |
| Mamluk-Ilkhanid War | | 13th | 1260 | 1281 | The Mamluk-Ilkhanid War was between the Ilkhanid Mongols of Persia and the Mamluks of Egypt, where the Ilkhanid Mongols aimed to expand their territory into the Middle East. The Mamluk State in Egypt was a rising power, while a unified Mongol Empire had dissolved. Before the war, the Mongols had made repeated invasions of Syria, followed by forced retreats. The Mamluks maintained the upper hand in the war with victories at the Battle of Ain Jalut and the Battle of Homs. Following this and the conversion of the Ilkhanid to Islam, the Treaty of Aleppo was signed and ratified in 1323. | Asia |
| Ottoman-Saudi War | Wahhabi War | 19th | 1811 | 1818 | The Ottoman-Saudi War, also known as the Wahhabi War, was between the Ottoman Empire and the first Saudi State, the Emirate of Diriyah, led by the Wahhabi movement. Relations between the Wahhabis and the Ottomans were tense, with political hostility, distrust and a history of sieges and attacks. The Wahhabi leader criticised the religious conditions of the Ottomans, and growing Wahhabi influence incited the Ottomans to warfare with the Saudis. The war began in 1811 with the Ottoman invasion of Hijaz. It ended in 1818 with the Wahhabi surrender and the Emirate of Diriyah’s destruction. | Asia |
| 1485-1491 Ottoman–Mamluk War | | 15th | 1485 | 1491 | The 1485-1491 Ottoman-Mamluk War happened in Anatolia and Syria, where the Ottoman Empire aimed to seize these territories to dominate the Middle East. The Ottomans and Mamluks were already opposed to one another as each wanted to control the spice trade, and the Ottomans wanted to control the Islamic Holy Cities. The war ended when a plague and famine spread, which led to the two sides signing a peace treaty in 1491. | Asia |
| 1516-1517 Ottoman–Mamluk War | | 16th | 1516 | 1517 | The 1516-1517 Ottoman-Mamluk War was a conflict between the Mamluks of Egypt and the Ottoman Empire following a previous war that ended in 1491. The Ottoman sultan, Selim I, was set on conquering the Middle East and focused on the Mamluks. Selim had alleged that the Mamluks oppressed Muslims and were allies of the Shia Safavids. Both sides prepared for the war, which consisted of multiple battles and resulted in the fall of the Mamluk Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire’s gain of the Levant, Egypt and Hejaz. | Asia |
| First Egyptian–Ottoman War | First Syrian War | 19th | 1831 | 1833 | The First Egyptian-Ottoman War, also known as the First Syrian War, was a military conflict between the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. The war was triggered when the ruler of Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha, demanded that the Sublime Porte of the Ottoman Empire reward him by extending his rule into Ottoman-ruled Syria. Pasha had already been vying for control of Syria in 1812 but paused these aims. The war concluded after the Battle of Konya in present-day Turkey, resulting in Egypt’s control of Syria and a peace agreement called the Convention of Kütahya. | Asia |
| Treaty of Hünkâr İskelesi | | 19th | 8 July 1833 | | The Treaty of Hünkâr İskelesi was a defensive alliance that was signed in 1833 at Hünkâr İskelesi near Istanbul in present-day Turkey. The treaty was between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. By this point, the Ottomans were a virtual protectorate of Russia. The treaty followed the Ottoman sultan’s request and acceptance of military assistance from Russia in 1833, and in return, the two nations agreed to eight years of peace and friendship. The treaty included a highly controversial secret article regarding the closure of the Dardanelles Strait to any foreign war vessels at Russia’s command. | Asia |
| Kuwait–Najd War | | 20th | 1919 | 1920 | The Kuwait-Najd War from 1919-1920 occurred between Kuwait and Nejd of present-day Saudi Arabia after their leader, Ibn Saud’s, desired to annex Kuwait. The war resulted in many sporadic border clashes between 1919 and 1920 and victory for Ibn Saud. In 1922 the Treaty of Uqair was signed, setting the boundaries between Kuwait and Najd and establishing an area as a Saudi-Kuwaiti neutral zone. However, no representative for Kuwait was present at the conference for the treaty. | Asia |
| Assyrian Affair | Simele Massacre | 20th | 1933 | 1933 | The Assyrian Affair, also known as The Simele Massacre, was committed by Iraq on the Assyrians in the Simele region. When the British mandate of Iraq ended in 1932, the Assyrians felt betrayed at the lack of consideration of an autonomous Assyrian homeland within Iraq. The Iraqis believed the Assyrians’ demands were a British conspiracy to divide Iraq by inciting its minorities. The Assyrian spiritual leader’s followers planned to resign from the Assyrian Levies and regroup as a militia to create an enclave. The massacre resulted in the death of thousands of people. | Asia |
| Anglo-Iraqi War | | 20th | 1941 | 1941 | The Anglo-Iraqi War took place in 1941 between Britain and the Kingdom of Iraq, where Rashid Gaylani seized control of Iraq with assistance from Germany and Italy. Iraq was nominally independent from 1932, but Britain still held on to their authority in Iraq. Their military bases remained in Iraq to protect Britain’s interest and access to Iraqi petroleum, inciting resentment from Iraqis towards the British. The war resulted in the Iraq army surrendering. An armistice was signed, with Iraq reoccupied by the British. | Asia |
| 1948 Palestine War | | 20th | 1948 | 1949 | The 1948 Palestine War, followed a rejection of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine to divide British Mandate Palestine into Jewish and Arab States. Civil war ensued followed by the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. The war is known in Israel as the War of Independence, preventing the destruction of the Jewish state by Arab aggression. Palestinian Arabs have referred to it as the destruction of Palestinian society and the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Arabs from their homes. The war ended with the 1949 Armistice Agreements. | Asia |
| North Yemen Civil War | | 20th | 1962 | 1970 | The North Yemen Civil War was between Mutawakkilite guerrillas and the Yemen Arab Republic’s supporters. Before the war, the Imam, or king, of Yemen, was dethroned by the Yemen Arab Republic, after which a republic was declared. The Mutawakkilites supported the dethroned royals, who wanted to regain control over the country, while the Republicans wanted to hold onto their new rule. Different foreign military powers allied with each side. War continued between the Republicans and royalists until peace talks and a ceasefire in 1970 with recognition of the Republic. | Asia |
| Jordanian Civil War | Black September | 20th | 1970 | 1971 | The Jordanian Civil War, also known as Black September, was fought between the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Jordanian Armed Forces. The 1968 Battle of Karameh led to an upsurge in Arab support for the Fedayeen in Jordan. Some groups within the PLO were calling to overthrow the monarchy. The king of Jordan took action after Dawson's Field hijacking incident in 1970, attacking cities with significant PLO presence, including Amman and Irbid. Allied with Syrian forces, the PLO fought back before retreating. An agreement was signed to regulate the Fedayeen's presence in Jordan. | Asia |
| Lebanese Civil War | | 20th | 1975 | 1990 | The Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990 took place in the context of a destabilised Lebanese State and the presence of Militias. Divisions between the Militias rose between those who supported and opposed Palestinian resistance against Israel on Lebanese land. The war began after the Phalangist Militia attacked a bus of Palestinian refugees. Battles between the Militias followed. During the war, Beirut was split into Muslim West Beirut and Christian East Beirut, each ruled by their respective Militias. The war came to an end with the Ta’if Accord in 1989. | Asia |
| Iran-Iraq War | | 20th | 22 September 1980 | 1988 | The Iran-Iraq War was a conflict from 1980-1988 in which Iraq invaded Iran. There was a long-running history of border disputes between Iran and Iraq and tensions between Iran as a Pan-Islamic force and Iraq’s Arab nationalism. Iran called for an Islamic revolution in Iraq and used this threat as a pretext for their attack on Iran. Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, was also interested in gaining more control of the region. Iraq failed to invade Iran. Iran failed in its retaliation to invade Iraq. The war resulted in a stalemate and a ceasefire. | Asia |
| Iraq War | | 21st | 20 March 2003 | 15 December 2011 | The Iraq War from 2003 to 2011 was an armed conflict in Iraq in which a United States-led coalition overthrew the Iraqi government. The United States claimed that Iraq had a weapons of mass destruction programme and was a threat to the United States and its allies. The war was part of George W. Bush’s war on terror despite no connection between Iraq and the September 11 terror attacks in the United States. Many countries were publicly opposed to a US-led war. The war resulted in the collapse of Iraq’s Ba’athi government and Saddam Hussein’s execution in 2006 | Asia |
| Syrian Civil War | | 21st | 15 March 2011 | Ongoing | The Syrian Civil War is an ongoing civil war with multiple groups in opposition to one another and the Ba’athist Assad dynasty of the Syrian Arab Republic. The factions involved include the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Free Syrian Army and the Islamist organisations ISIL and Hay’ at Taḥrīr al-Shām. War began after protests against the government’s regime and imposed Ba’athist ideology. The government violently suppressed the protests, which escalated into armed conflict. Russia and Iran have openly allied with Assad, and other regions have openly backed the opposition groups. | Asia |
| War in Iraq | | 21st | 30 December 2013 | 09 December 2017 | The War in Iraq between 2013-2017 was an armed conflict between the Islamic State and Iraqi forces and their Allies. Anti-government sentiment from the Sunnis was invoked when they were detained instead of being employed by Iraq’s Shia government after the United States withdrew their troops from Iraq. Anti-government protests followed, and the Islamic State recruited the Sunnis to regain power and advance into Iraq. The Islamic State seized a third of Iraq by 2014, but Iran and a United States-led coalition intervened and allied with Iraq. The war resulted in the Islamic State’s defeat. | Asia |
| Iraqi-Kurdish Civil War | | 20th | 1994 | 1997 | The Iraqi Kurdish Civil War in Iraqi Kurdistan occurred from 1994-1997. Political rivalry between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party of the split parliament of the 1992 elections triggered the conflict. The rivalry was exacerbated by the economic blockade on Kurdistan, where smuggling routes were used. The war between the factions began in May 1994 with intervention from foreign countries. The outcome was a ceasefire and the Washington Peace Agreement, which established shared power and revenue between the Kurdistan groups. | Asia |
| Jebel Akhdar War | Oman War | 20th | 1954 | 1959 | The Jebel Akhdar War, also known as the Oman War, happened in Oman between Omani residents loyal to their Imam and Sultan Said bin Taimur of Muscat and Oman, who aimed to occupy the area, aided by Britain. Britain had a historical presence in the area for political and economic interests. The war between the Omanis and Sultan’s forces began following the grant of an oil concession in the Imam’s region of Oman and the Imam’s declaration of Oman’s independence from Muscat. The Sultanate claimed victory, and treaties were signed that favoured British interests and trade. | Asia |
| Qatar-Bahraini War | Qatari War of Independence | 20th | 1867 | 1868 | The Qatar-Bahraini War, or the Qatari War of Independence, was an armed conflict in the Persian Gulf that violated the 1835 Maritime Truce. Hostilities between Qatar and Bahrain increased over time. Qatar, led by the Al-Thani Tribe, attacked and expelled the Bahrani army in the region. Bahrain allied with Abu Dhabi and attacked Qatar, and naval warfare ensued. The conflict ended with a truce convened by the British that recognised the Al Thanis as a semi-political unit in Qatar and with Bahrain forced to renounce sovereignty on Qatari soil. | Asia |
| Kurdish-Turkish Conflict | | 20th, 21st | 1978 | Ongoing | The Kurdish-Turkish Conflict is an ongoing armed conflict between the Republic of Turkey and Kurdish insurgent groups, mainly led by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Expressions of Kurdish culture were banned in Turkey, and the Kurdish people campaigned for Kurdish rights, which the Turkish government cracked down on. A civil war began when Kurdish groups wanted independence and to secure the rights of Kurdish people in Turkey. Many cities have been destroyed in violent conflicts, and numerous human rights violations have occurred from both sides. | Asia |
| Convention of Kütahya | Peace Agreement of Kütahya | 19th | 1833 | Date and year unknown | The Convention of Kütahya, also known as the Peace Agreement of Kütahya, concluded the Egyptian-Ottoman War in May 1833, in which Egypt had sought more power in nearby regions and declared war on the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman armies were defeated, and foreign countries allied with either side, Britain and France with Egypt, and Russia with the Ottomans. The peace treaty agreed for Syria and Adana to be ceded from the Ottoman Empire to Egypt and to make Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt the governor-general of the provinces. | Asia |
| 2006 Lebanon War | 2006 Israel–Hezbollah War | 21st | July 2006 | August 2006 | The 2006 Lebanon War, or 2006 Israel–Hezbollah War, happened between July to August 2006. Lebanon-based Hezbollah had previously attacked Israel because of their occupation of Shebaa Farms at the Lebanese-Syrian border and the Israeli internment of Lebanese prisoners. In the 2006 Hezbollah cross-border raid, Hezbollah demanded the release of Lebanese prisoners in exchange for Israeli soldiers. Israel responded by invading Southern Lebanon, and guerrilla warfare followed. A United Nations-brokered ceasefire and Israel’s lift of the naval blockade on Lebanon ended the war. | Asia |
| Treaty of Darin | | 20th | 1915 | | The Treaty of Darin was an agreement signed by the future founder of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz, who ruled the Emirate of Nejd and Sir Perry Cox on behalf of the British government. The treaty was signed on Tārūt Island, present-day Saudi Arabia. It agreed for the House of Saud to be a British protectorate and guaranteed Kuwait, Qatar and the Trucial States (present-day United Arab Emirates) sovereignty. It was the first treaty to give international recognition to the emerging Saudi state, while Britain aimed for the treaty to secure their protectorates in the Persian Gulf. | Asia |
| Turkish Invasion of Cyprus | | 20th | 1974 | 1974 | The Turkish Invasion of Cyprus was a conflict in 1974. Greek and Turkish people had historically lived side-by-side in Cyprus, but the British colonisation from 1925-1960 contributed to inter-communal tensions. The invasion was triggered by a Greek coup where the Greeks wanted to unite Cyprus with mainland Greece and form the Hellenic Republic of Cyprus. Turkish forces responded by seizing and occupying the north of the island. The fighting resulted in a divided Cyprus of Turkish Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus. | Asia |
| Oslo Accords | | 20th | 1993 | 1995 | The Oslo Accords are a pair of agreements, signed as the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian Self-Rule, in Washington D.C, United States, in 1993 and Taba, Egypt, in 1995. The agreements created the Palestine National Authority and were part of a peace process of negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, where both sides formally recognised each other. Both accords aimed to be an interim agreement, intending further negotiations and a settlement within five years of establishing a Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and Gaza. | Asia |
| Dersim Rebellion | Dersim Massacre | 20th | 1937 | 1938 | The Dersim Rebellion, also known as the Dersim Massacre, was an uprising in the Dersim region, present-day Tunceli, Turkey. The Zaza-Kurdish people who lived there rebelled following the Tunceli Law and the Turkish government’s aims to strengthen their authority in the area and promote Turkification as part of the Republic of Turkey’s policies. The Turkish Armed Forces responded with a military campaign between 1937 and 2 January to December 1938 that quelled the rebellion after multiple operations and the hanging of the rebel leaders. | Asia |
| Omani Civil War | Dhofar Rebellion | 20th | 1962 | 1976 | The Omani Civil War, also known as the Dhofar Rebellion, happened in Dhofar, which was culturally and linguistically distinct from Oman but was also a dependency of it. War began when the Marxist group, Dhofar Liberation Front, wanted to create a Dhofar state independent from Oman. Oman, with Britain, had aims to safeguard Oman from communism. The British played a hand in the war with a military modernisation campaign against the rebels. In addition, the Shah of Iran also intervened, resulting in a victory for the Oman government and the rebel's defeat. | Asia |
| Gulf War | | 20th | 2 August 1990 | 28 February 1991 | The Gulf War was an international response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 following Iraq’s accusation that Kuwait had stolen oil. Iraq owed a debt to Kuwait, which their invasion aimed to cancel by acquiring the country’s oil reserves and expanding Iraqi control of the region. A United States-led coalition of 35 countries intervened to protect Kuwait’s oil-rich neighbour Saudi Arabia from invasion. The war happened in two stages, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, which drove Iraqi troops out of Kuwait and restored Kuwait’s independence. | Asia |
| 1963 Syrian Coup D’état | 8 March Revolution | 20th | 8 March 1963 | 8 March 1963 | The 1963 Syrian Coup D’état, also known as 8 March Revolution, refers to the overthrowing of Syria’s democratic government by the military committee of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party. Despite the support from the traditional landholding Sunni elite for the government, discontent among the capitalist middle class, after the domination of the elite and marginalisation of lower classes and minorities in Syria, led to an increase in the appeal of the Ba’ath Party. The coup was successful, and the Ba’athists toppled the government and seized power in Syria. | Asia |
| Sayfo | Assyrian Genocide | 20th | 1915 | Date and year unknown | The Sayfo, also known as the Assyrian Genocide, took place in 1915 and refers to the Ottoman forces and Kurdish tribe's mass slaughter and deportation of the Assyrian Christian population who lived in the Ottoman Empire. The Assyrians lived in remote areas and wanted to maintain their autonomy but rising nationalism and anti-Christian sentiment increased conflict in these regions. The negative effect of European attempts to protect Christians in the Ottoman Empire and the Ottoman's want to resettle displaced Muslims also contributed to the genocide. | Asia |
| Six-Day War | 1967 Arab-Israeli War | 20th | 05 June 1967 | 10 June 1967 | The Six-Day War, or the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, was a conflict between Israel and a coalition of Arab States. Warfare broke out due to heightened tensions between Israel and the neighbouring Arab States caused by the 1949 Armistice Agreements of the First Arab-Israeli War, Egypt’s closure of the Straits of Tiran to Israeli vessels, an increase of guerrilla warfare, and faulty Soviet intelligence that Israel was planning a campaign against Syria. The war resulted in the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula. | Asia |
| Lord Edward's Crusade | Ninth Crusade | 13th | 1271 | 1272 | The Lord Edward’s Crusade, also known as the Ninth Crusade, was a religious, military campaign between Christian crusaders who aimed to regain Christian rule of the Holy Land, the present-day State of Israel, from the Muslim Mamluk Empire. The expedition primarily consisted of English barons and knights led by the future King Edward I of England, who allied with the Mongol army against the Mamluks led by Baibars, the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt. Both sides had limited victories in the crusade, which ended in a truce. | Asia |
| Rojava Conflict | Rojava Revolution | 21st | 19 July 2012 | Ongoing | The Rojava Conflict, or the Rojava Revolution, was a political and military-led conflict in northern Syria, also known as Western Kurdistan or Rojava. Kurds and other ethnic minorities in Syria, repressed by the Syrian government, formed anti-government groups that aimed to establish an autonomous region. After successful advances from the People’s Protection Units on Syrian forces, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party and Kurdish National Council took control over areas in northern Syria. The conflict resulted in the establishment of a self-governed autonomous Rojava. | Asia |
| Gaza War | Gaza Massacre | 21st | 27 December 2008 | 18 January 2009 | The Gaza War, or the Gaza Massacre, was an armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups. Israel wanted to stop weapon smuggling into the Gaza Strip and cease Hamas, a Palestinian organisation, from firing rockets into Israel. Hamas stated their rocket fire was in retaliation to an Israeli raid, which Israel said was a pre-emptive response to a tunnel they believed would be used to abduct Israeli soldiers. The war began with an Israeli military offensive by air and ground, while Hamas used rockets and mortar attacks. The conflict ended with a ceasefire. | Asia |
| 2014 Gaza War | Operation Protective Edge | 21st | 8 July 2014 | 26 August 2014 | The 2014 Gaza War, or Operation Protective Edge, was an Israeli military operation in the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip. Hamas and Israel were in tension due to the kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers by Hamas-affiliated militants. Hamas’s aim in the war was to end Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip and military offensive, release Palestinian prisoners and guarantee a ceasefire. Israel aimed to prevent rockets from being fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip and the threat of militant attacks from tunnelling at the border. After 50 days of warfare, the conflict concluded with a truce. | Asia |
| Operation Pillar of Defence | | 21st | 14 November 2012 | 21 November 2012 | The Operation Pillar of Defence took place over a week in November 2012 when the violent conflict was escalating between Hamas and Israel, and an Israeli airstrike killed the chief of the Hamas military wing. Israel aimed to end the rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip and to disrupt militant organisations. Hamas’ reasoning for the rocket attacks was the Gaza Strip blockade and Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. After days of air strikes and rocket attacks, Hamas and Israel agreed on a ceasefire. Both claimed victory. | Asia |
| Adwan Rebellion | Balqa Revolt | 20th | 1923 | Date and year unknown | The Adwan Rebellion, also known as The Balqa Revolt, was an uprising against the British Mandate and the newly established Transjordanian government of present-day Jordan. The rebellion took place between the Adwan Tribe and the Bani Sakher Tribes in the Balqa region, where unequal taxation and the Adwan’s demand for a more representative assembly and democratic rule were causes for the uprising. The British RAF crushed the revolt, resulting in the Adwan leader and his sons fleeing to Syria. | Asia |
| Italo-Turkish War | Trablusgarp Savaşı | 20th | 29 September 1911 | 18 October 1912 | The Italo-Turkish War, or the Trablusgarp Savaşı in Turkish, refers to Italy’s invasion of Ottoman-ruled Tripolitania Vilayet, present-day Libya. Italy’s reasons for the attack were rooted in their desire to establish a colony in North Africa and their historical claims to Libya. War was declared following Italy’s rejection of the contested land to be under their control and be a formal Ottoman suzerainty. The war, between 29 September 1911 to 18 October 1912, resulted in Italy’s capture of present-day Libya. | Asia |
| Kura Rebellion | | 20th | 1921 | 1921 | The Kura Rebellion of April 1921 refers to an uprising led by Sheikh Kulaib al-Shraideh, the self-established ruler of Kura, Transjordan, present-day Jordan, against the Amman central government. Shraideh demanded that Kura be made separate from Irbid, but the Amman central government refused. Following the murder of a tax collector, armed forces were sent to Kura, but rebels ambushed them. Emir Abdullah, the ruler of Transjordan, then visited Sheikh Kulaib al-Shraideh, who surrendered, and the rebels were given amnesty. | Asia |
| Anglo-Nepalese War | Gorkha War | 19th | 1814 | 1816 | The Anglo-Nepalese War, also called the Gorkha War, was a conflict between the British East India Company and the Gorkha army of present-day Nepal. The British wanted to invade Nepal to expand their control in the Indian subcontinent for profit and trade. The Gorkhas also intended to expand into the southern region and raided Tarai at the border with India. Tensions between the two powers escalated, leading to conflict and warfare with armies sent in by the British. The war resulted in Britain’s victory over the Gorkhas and some of Nepal’s territory and ceded Tarai to the British. | Asia |
| Nepalese Civil War | | 20th, 21st | 1996 | 2006 | The Nepalese Civil War was an armed conflict in the Kingdom of Nepal, present-day Nepal, between the Nepalese royal government and the Communist Party of Nepal. The Communist Party, who were Maoist, were excluded from parliament and wanted to establish a republic by abolishing the monarchy. They launched a revolt to establish a single-party communist republic. Violence increased, and in 2005, to end the insurgency, the monarchy seized direct power. In 2006 the United Nations oversaw the peace process between the Communist Party and the Nepalese government to end the war. | Asia |
| Treaty of Sugauli | | 19th | 4 March 1816 | | The Treaty of Sagauli was drafted in Sugauli, India, in December 1815 and signed in March 1816. The treaty ended the Anglo-Nepalese War between the British East India Company and the Gorkhas of present-day Nepal. The treaty’s terms agreed that Nepal would renounce its claims to the Tarai region and cede a quarter of Nepal-controlled territory to the East India Company. The treaty also agreed for Nepal to remain independent whilst still having a British resident ambassador and for the British to recruit the Gorkhas for military services. | Asia |
| Third Nepal-Tibet War | | 19th | 1855 | 1856 | The Third Nepal-Tibet War between 1855 and 1856 refers to the Nepalese army’s invasion of Tibet. Tibet was under the administrative rule of China’s Qing Empire, which had made Nepal a tributary state. Nepal was humiliated by a previous treaty with the Qing dynasty. They cited abuse to Nepalese Newar traders in Lhasa as one of the reasons for their demands to Tibet’s government of territorial concessions and indemnity payment. Warfare ensued between Tibetan government forces and the Nepalese army. Nepal decreased its demands on Tibet, and the Treaty of Thapathali was signed to end the war. | Asia |
| Nepal–Sikh War | | 19th | 1809 | 1809 | The Nepal-Sikh War between March and August 1809 occurred in the Kangra Fort in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Gorkhas of present-day Nepal wanted to invade Kangra Fort as part of a policy to prevent more territory from coming into possession of foreign powers. As the Gorkha siege continued, Kangra’s Raja Sansar Chand sought help from the Sikh Empire’s Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who demanded dominance of Kangra Fort in return for his help. Sikh forces were dispatched, and a bloody battle ensued. The Gorkhas were forced to retreat. | Asia |
| Limbuwan–Gorkha War | | 18th | 1771 | 1774 | The Limbuwan-Gorkha War from 1771 to 1774 refers to a conflict between the Kingdom of Nepal, who invaded multiple principalities of Limbuwan, the present-day part of eastern Nepal. The war concluded with Limbuwan’s surrender on the condition of full autonomy in Limbuwan. A ceasefire treaty, called the Treaty of Salt and Water, agreed on the independence and self-government of Limbuwan rulers in their principalities. Following this, the Limbu-Gorkha Treaty was signed, in which some Limbuwan territories joined the Kingdom of Nepal. | Asia |
| 2004 Qamishli Riots | | 21st | 12 March 2004 | c. March/June 2004 | The 2004 Qamishli Riots in Qamishl, Syria, was a Kurdish uprising against the Syrian Ba-athist regime. The riots started after a football match when Kurdish fans of the local Kurdish home team were offended by Arab fans of the guest team, who, in turn, insulted Iraqi Kurdish leaders and held up photos of Saddam Hussein, who had targeted Iraqi Kurds. The Syrian Kurds attacked the Ba’ath party office, which triggered a response from the Syrian army. Syrian Kurds fled to Iraqi Kurdistan after the riots, and the President visited Qamishl to pardon Kurds involved in the violence. | Asia |
| Uqair Protocol of 1922 | Uqair Convention | 20th | 2 December 1922 | Date and year unknown | The Uqair Protocol of 1922, also known as the Uqair Convention, was an agreement imposed by the British High Commissioner to Iraq following raids into Kuwait and Iraq by Nejd Bedouins. The protocol took place in Uqair, Saudi Arabia. It defined the boundaries between Mandatory Iraq under British administration, the Sultanate of Nejd of present-day Saudi Arabia, and the Sheikhdom of Kuwait. Kuwait lost two-thirds of its territory in the agreement with its boundaries established by the Sultanate of Nejd and the British, which later led to increased anti-British sentiment in Kuwait. | Asia |
| Iraqi–Kurdish Conflict | | 20th, 21st | Date and year uknown | 2003 | The Iraqi-Kurdish Conflict was a series of conflicts in Iraq between the Iraqi Kurdish people who sought self-government and the central authority of Iraq. The conflict followed the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, but the start of the wars and rebellions are disputed. Some believe the start of the conflict began with the attempt by Mahmud Barzanji to establish an independent Kingdom of Kurdistan. Others recognise the conflict as only the post-1961 insurrection by the Barzanis. The conflict lasted until the United States invaded Iraq in 2003. | Asia |
| Iraqi Revolt | Great Iraqi Revolution | 20th | 1920 | 1920 | The Iraqi Revolt, also known as the Great Iraqi Revolution, was an Iraqi uprising against the British rule of Iraq. The conflict began with demonstrations and escalated to Iraqi fighters driving out British troops. Iraqis wanted independence and to establish an Arab government. The British said they were liberators from foreign oppression but increased their control of the country and made a new administration of mostly British officials. Though the revolt achieved some success, Britain suppressed the uprising and changed their strategy in Iraq with a new administration. | Asia |
| Ekdala War | Bengal Sultanate–Delhi Sultanate War | 14th | 1353 | 1359 | The Ekdala War, or the Bengal Sultanate-Delhi Sultanate War, took place in Bengal between the Bengal and Delhi sultanates. The Delhi sultanate had divided Bengal into three provinces to improve administration, and Ilyas Shah was appointed governor of one of the regions. Ilyas Shah defeated the other province’s rulers and declared himself Sultan of Bengal. Wanting Bengal’s independence to be recognised, he declared war on the Delhi Sultanate. The war resulted in a treaty acknowledging Bengal’s autonomy. Bengal was to make tributary payments to Delhi, while the exchange of gifts acted as signs of sovereignty from both sides. | Asia |
| Bengal–Jaunpur Confrontation | | 15th | 1415 | 1420 | The Bengal-Jaunpur Confrontation between 1415 and 1420 happened in present-day West Bengal. The Jaunpur Sultanate, a kingdom in northern India, opposed the overthrowing of the Bengal Sultanate’s founding dynasty and decided to attack the new Bengal Sultanate of Raja Ganesha. The Tamurid and Ming Empires intervened to mediate, and their involvement led to Jaunpur’s surrender. The confrontation resulted in Raja Ganesha’s son taking the Bengal throne and Jaunpur’s recognition of the new dynasty. | Asia |
| Tajikistani Civil War | | 20th | 1992 | 1997 | The Tajikstani Civil War was an uprising in 1992 by the United Tajik Opposition against the Tajikistan government led by the former general secretary of Tajikistan’s Communist party. Since leaving the Soviet Union in 1991, the country became divided between government supporters and opposition parties of liberal democrat reformers and Islamists who loosely formed the coalition of the United Tajik Opposition. Tensions escalated to violence until the Tajikistan president, the United Tajik Opposition leader and a United Nations representative signed a peace treaty in 1997. | Asia |
| First Anglo-Mysore War | | 18th | 1767 | 1769 | The First Anglo-Mysore War was a conflict that began in 1767 in India and lasted for two years. The war was between Mysore, a kingdom in South India, and the British East India Company. The British wanted an overland connection between its holdings in Madras and Bengal and aimed to access territories controlled by the French. However, Mysore was an ally of the French and so diverted Britain’s resources from controlling the region and instigated a war. Battles ensued until the Treaty of Madras in 1769. | Asia |
| Second Anglo-Mysore War | | 18th | 1780 | 1784 | The Second Anglo-Mysore War was part of a series of wars between the British East India Company and Mysore, who were allied with the French in India. Tensions escalated between Mysore and the East India Company in reflection of those between the British and French in the Anglo-French War. The East India Company wanted to drive the French out of India and seized the French port, Mahé, which was Mysore’s primary source of arms and munitions. Mysore responded with a war against the British. The Anglo-French War ended in 1783 and called for an end to the Second Anglo-Mysore War with a treaty in 1784. | Asia |
| Third Anglo-Mysore War | | 18th | 1790 | 1792 | The Third Anglo-Mysore War was between the Kingdom of Mysore and the allied British East India Company, the Kingdom of Travancore, the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The British East India Company's failure to meet their promises, lack of support for Mysore in conflicts and other actions in favour of Mysore's enemies led to a dislike for the British. Mysore aimed to seize Travancore, present-day Tamil Nadu, before the British and their allies responded with war. The war lasted two years until a treaty, after which Mysore lost half of their territory. | Asia |
| Fourth Anglo-Mysore War | | 18th | 1798 | 1799 | The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War was the last conflict in a series of wars between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore, present-day Karnataka, India. The causes of the war extend from the power rivalry between France and Britain with Mysore, bitter from previous losses to the British, as a territory for tensions to play out. Napoleon Bonaparte intended to seize power from the British in India when he arrived in Ottoman Egypt in 1798, so Britain responded with a military advance on Mysore. The war resulted in Britain’s capture of Mysore and British-advised rulership. | Asia |
| Jaunpur-Bhojpur War | | 14th | 1389 | 1489 | The Jaunpur-Bhojpur War was a conflict in North India between the Jaunpur Sultanate of areas around present-day Jaunpur and the Ujjainiya leaders of the Bhojpur region in Bihar. The war lasted 100 years and began when the Ujjainiyas were angry at the Jaunpurs who had arrived in the holy city of Buxar in Bihar and interfered with Brahmins performing rituals. The Ujjainiyas drove the Jaunpurs from Buxar, which led to a war where the Ujjainiyas used guerrilla warfare resistance. The war ended once the Jaunpur Sultanate absorbed the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. | Asia |
| First Anglo-Maratha War | | 18th | 1775 | 1782 | The First Anglo-Maratha War from 1775 to 1782 between the British East India Company and the Pune Kingdom of the Maratha Empire began after a treaty between the British and the Marathas was violated by both parties. The British in Bombay gave refuge to Raghunathrao, the previous Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, while Nana Phadnavis, regent of the Maratha Empire, granted a port to the French. The British then sent troops to fight the Maratha Empire and capture territory. The war lasted until the Treaty of Salbai established peace between the British and Marathas for 20 years. | Asia |
| Second Anglo-Maratha War | | 19th | 1803 | 1805 | The Second Anglo-Maratha War happened between 1803 and 1805 due to tensions between the British and Maratha Empire after the Peshwa, one of the chiefs of the Maratha Empire, signed a treaty with the British East India Company that ceded territory to them. The other Maratha chiefs, engaged in internal disagreements and battles, contested the agreement. The British used military force to uphold the treaty and attacked Maratha’s forts. The war resulted in a British victory and three treaties signed by the Maratha chiefs that agreed on land ceded to the British. | Asia |
| Third Anglo-Maratha War | Pindari War | 19th | 1817 | 1819 | The Third Anglo-Maratha War, also known as The Pindari War, was the final war in a series of conflicts between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India. The war began in 1817 when the British invaded Maratha territory because of raids from a band of Pindaris who were mercenaries of the Maratha army. The Battle of Kirki, Battle of Koregaon, Battle of Sitabuldi and Battle of Mahidpur took place until the war resulted in a British victory in 1819. The Maratha Empire collapsed at the end of this war, and the East India Company took control of large areas of India. | Asia |
| Unification of Saudi Arabia | | 20th | 1901 | 1934 | The Unification of Saudi Arabia began in 1901 when Ibn Saud of the House of Saud sought to conquer much of the central Arabian Peninsula and create a unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, also called the Third Saudi State. The House of Saud, supported by the Ikhwan military force, recaptured Riyadh and seized Al-Qassim Region, Ha’il and Hejaz in sporadic battles and two-thirds of Kuwait in the Uqair Protocol. These territory gains resulted in Ibn Saud’s Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz, which consolidated with Al-Hasa and Qatif into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. | Asia |
| Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon | | 19th | 30 December 1803 | 30 December 1803 | The Treaty of Surji-Arjungaon was signed on 30 December 1803 between Daulat Rao Sindhia of the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company at Anjangaon, Maharashtra, India. The treaty drew a close to the first phase of the Second Anglo-Maratha War, declaring Ganges-Yamuna Doab, Agra, Gohad and Gujarat of Sindhia, of the Maratha Empire, under British control. The treaty was revised in 1805, in which Gujarat and Gohad were restored to Sindhia, and again in 1817 to grant Sindhia more power in return for helping the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. | Asia |
| Treaty of Salbai | | 18th | 17 May 1782 | | The Treaty of Salbai was signed by the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company after the First Anglo-Maratha War. The treaty allowed the British to retain control of Salsette and Broach, present-day Bharuch, for the Marathas to defeat Mysore and regain territory. The treaty also established that there would be no French settlements in Maratha territories and that the British would acknowledge the new Maratha Peshwa and give a pension to the previous Peshwa. The treaty also agreed for territory occupied by Britain post-Treaty of Purandar to be returned to the Marathas. | Asia |
| Gwalior Campaign | | 19th | 1843 | 1843 | The Gwalior Campaign refers to the conflict between the British and the Marathas. Marathas in Gwalior had dethroned the British-supported Maharaja of Gwalior to regain independence after losing their empire in warfare with the British East India Company. The British did not want the Marathas to secure independence. After failed negotiations, British and Maratha forces fought in the Battle of Maharajpore and the Battle of Punniar. The conflict resulted in a British victory, appointing a British governor at Gwalior Fort. | Asia |
| Treaty of Surat | | 18th | 6 March 1775 | 1776 | The Treaty of Surat was between Raghunathrao and the Bombay office of the British East India Company. Raghunathrao was the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire after Narayanrao, but when Narayanrao’s son and heir was born, Raghunathrao was dethroned. Raghunathrao aimed to regain his position as Peshwa, and in this treaty, he agreed for Bassein and Salsette in present-day Maharashtra state of India to be given to the British in return for military troops to support his aims. | Asia |
| Treaty of Purandar | | 18th | 1776 | | The Treaty of Purandhar was signed in Calcutta, India, by Nana Phadnavis, a minister for the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company. This treaty annulled the Treaty of Surat, previously signed between Raghunathrao, who wanted to regain his position as Peshwa, and the British office of Bombay. The supreme council of the East India Company disagreed with the previous treaty and so signed the new treaty with the Maratha minister, Nana Phadnavis, which gave Raghunathrao a pension instead of supporting his desire to become Peshwa again and securing British control over Salsette. | Asia |
| Wars of Alexander the Great | | 4th BC | 334 BCE | 323 BCE | The Wars of Alexander the Great was a series of conflicts carried out by King Alexander III of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, mainly against the Achaemenid Empire, the First Persian Empire. Alexander II wanted to expand his kingdom and conquer the Achaemenid Empire because of their previous attacks on Greek territory. The wars began with several battles and subsequent conquests of Persian territory of present-day Asia Minor, including Syria, Egypt, present-day Turkey and Tajikistan, and later extended into the Punjab region. | Asia |
| Arab Cold War | | 20th | 1952 | 1979 | The Arab Cold War was a series of conflicts from 1952 to 1979 between Egypt’s new republic that supported socialism, Pan-Arab nationalism and Saudi Arabia’s traditional monarchy. The war refers to conflicts and uprisings after the political rivalry between Egypt’s Arab nationalism and Saudi Arabia’s conservative, traditional Islamism and the perceived complicity of Western powers intervening in the Arab World. Many believe the Iranian Revolution, in which Arab-Iranian tensions overshadowed those of the Arab Cold War, marks the end of the conflict. | Asia |
| 1989–1992 Afghan Civil War | | 20th | 15 February 1989 | 27 April 1992 | The 1989-1992 Afghan Civil War between the Republic of Afghanistan and Mujahideen groups began following a rise of nationalism and rebellions during the Soviet Union’s control of Afghanistan. Though the Soviets were pressured to withdraw from Afghanistan, a Soviet-supporting government remained in power, which the Mujahideen resistance saw as a puppet regime. The civil war occurred when Mujahideen groups formed a coalition to conquer Khost. The republic’s president had lost Soviet support, and the war ended with the agreement for a Mujahideen coalition government. | Asia |
| 1992–1996 Afghan Civil War | | 20th | 28 April 1992 | 27 September 1996 | The 1992–1996 Afghan Civil War took place after the outcome of the previous civil war and the agreement between Mujahideen groups and the Republic of Afghanistan to establish a Mujahideen coalition government. Economic collapse, political instability and increasing divisions between ethnic and religious groups contributed to the civil war’s outbreak in 1992. One Mujahideen group refused to join the coalition and attempted to seize Kabul. Conflict broke out between the Mujahideen groups, and the new Taliban militia captured four Afghan cities during the war. | Asia |
| 1996-2001 Afghan Civil War | | 20th, 21st | 27 September 1996 | 7 October 2001 | The 1996-2001 Afghan Civil War was fought between the United Front or Northern Alliance and the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan after they seized Kabul. The Islamic State of Afghanistan replaced the collapsed Soviet-backed government. The Taliban’s regime rose to power and formed opposition groups of the United Front or Northern Alliance who believed in the democratic rule of Afghanistan. The Taliban aimed to enforce Islamic law and restore peace and security in Afghanistan. The war lasted until the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Afghanistan in 2001. | Asia |
| Arab Revolt | Great Arab Revolt | 20th | 1916 | 1918 | The Arab Revolt, also known as the Great Arab Revolt, was a military uprising of Arab forces in the Sharifian army against the Ottoman Empire between 1916 and 1918. The Arab forces aimed to create a unified and independent Arab state across Ottoman-occupied territory and agreed with the British government that they would back them and recognise the new state. After fighting the Ottomans, the Sharifian army founded the short-lived Arab Kingdom of Syria before the British broke their promise and split the region into mandate territories with France. | Asia |
| Third Anglo-Afghan War | | 20th | 1919 | 1919 | The Third Anglo-Afghan War between the Emirate of Afghanistan and British India was triggered when Afghanistan declared independence and rejected British control over their foreign policy, which had been in place since 1876. British India was concerned about Afghanistan’s alliance with their rivals, the Russian Bolsheviks. Warfare occurred along the North-West frontier, present-day Pakistan, and Afghanistan, aimed to seize Peshawar and prior Afghan provinces. The war ended in a treaty reaffirming the Durand line and agreeing for Afghanistan to conduct its foreign policy. | Asia |
| Great Syrian Revolt | Revolt of 1925 | 20th | 1925 | 1927 | The Great Syrian Revolt, also known as the Revolt of 1925, was an uprising in the French mandates of the State of Syria and Greater Lebanon, present-day Republic of Syria and Lebanon, following World War I. The revolt was led by rebel groups that wanted to end the French mandate due to their repressive policies, prejudiced leadership, division of Syria into territories, and refusal to plan toward future Syrian independence. The resistance had early success but was finally crushed by French forces, and the rebel leaders were forced into exile. | Asia |
| 1953 Iranian Coup D'état | 28 Mordad Coup D'état | 20th | 1953 | 1953 | The 1953 Iranian Coup D’état, also known as 28 Mordad Coup D’état, refers to the United Kingdom, United States and the Iranian army’s alliance to overthrow Iran’s democratically elected prime minister. The United Kingdom instigated the coup to retain control over Iran’s oil after the Iranian government voted to nationalise their oil industry. The United States allied with the United Kingdom due to fears of communist influence in Iran and led an operation to provoke unrest in Iran. The coup was successful, and the dictatorial pro-Western shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, returned to power. | Asia |
| Goharshad Mosque Rebellion | 1935 Goharshad Mosque Massacre | 20th | 1935 | 1935 | The Goharshad Mosque Rebellion, also known as the 1935 Goharshad Mosque Massacre, was an uprising of the Shia Islam clergy and members of Shiite society made up of local villagers and merchants in Mashhad, Iran, against the Shah, Reza Shah Pahlavi. The Shah’s forcefully implemented Westernisation Campaign saw Islamic clothing banned. After a cleric from the Shiite community denounced the new rules, members of Shiite society took shelter in the Imam Rez shrine. Troops from Azerbaijan broke into the shrine and attacked, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries to those taking refuge. | Asia |
| First Anglo-Afghan War | | 19th | 1838 | 1842 | The First Anglo-Afghan War between the British East India Company and the Emirate of Afghanistan happened when Britain invaded Afghanistan. Britain wanted control of Afghanistan out of fear of Russia invading India via Afghanistan, which increased after a Russian-backed Persian army’s siege on Herat, Afghanistan. The British invasion led to unrest, and the Afghans forced the British to withdraw. Britain invaded to avenge the death of their envoy and recover British prisoners in Kabul, but the troops withdrew afterwards. It was one of the first major conflicts of the Great Game. | Asia |
| Iranian Revolution | Islamic Revolution | 20th | 7 January 1978 | 11 February 1979 | The Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution, refers to the Pahlavi monarchy being overthrown in Iran by rebel and guerrilla groups. The Pahlavi dynasty’s reforms to modernise Iran angered the Shia Clergy and landlords as they lessened their control in Iran. These events led to civil unrest where censorship and martial law were enforced on anti-government protests and catalysed the revolution from 1978 to 1979. The revolt was a success that resulted in the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Ruhollah Khomeini. | Asia |
| Second Italo-Senussi War | Pacification of Libya | 20th | 1923 | 1932 | The Second Italo-Senussi War, also called the Pacification of Libya, took place in Cyrenaica and Tripolitania, present-day Libya, between the Italian military and rebels associated with the Senussi Order, a Muslim political-religious clan. The Senussi had led an independent Libya since the previous resistance to Italy’s colonisation of the country. In 1923, Benito Mussolini, the Italian fascist leader, decided to reconquer Libya out of the importance of the new Italian Empire, and Italian troops fought the Senussi guerrilla resistance and seized control of Libya. | Asia |
| Modus Vivendi of Acroma | Treaty of Acroma | 20th | 1917 | Date and year unknown | The Treaty of Acroma, also known as the Modus Vivendi of Acroma, was signed in 1917 in Acroma, Libya, by Italy, Britain and Mohammed Idris, the leader of the Senussi Order. The treaty followed a ceasefire between Italy, which had been occupying Cyrenaica and Tripolitania, present-day Libya, and the Senussi Order, which had led rebel groups and allied with the Ottomans to revolt against Italy’s colonisation of Libya. The treaty recognised Idris’s authority over Libya and led to the establishment of the Tripolitanian Republic in 1918. | Asia |
| Treaty of Ankara | Frontier Treaty of 1926 | 20th | 5 June 1926 | | The Treaty of Ankara, also known as the Frontier Treaty of 1926, was a peace treaty signed in Ankara, Turkey, by Mandatory Iraq, the United Kingdom and Turkey. The treaty aimed to solve Turkey’s belief that due to historical, ethnic, and military reasons, British-occupied Mosul Vilayet, present-day northern Iraq, should be in Turkey. The treaty stated that Mosul would be retained by Iraq, with 10% of oil revenues to be paid to Turkey. It also agreed on a border between Turkey and Iraq to regulate relations between the countries which, if destabilised, would mean Turkey had the right to attack. | Asia |
| Ankara Agreement | Franklin-Bouillon Agreement | 20th | 12 September 1963 | | The Ankara Agreement, also known as the Franklin-Bouillon Agreement, provided the terms of peace between France and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, following the 1918-1921 Franco-Turkish War. The agreement stipulated that France was to leave the region of Cilicia, while also defining the boundary between Turkey and Syria, with certain territories ceded by France to Turkey. | Asia |
| Franco-Turkish War | Cilicia Campaign | 20th | 1918 | 1921 | The Franco-Turkish War, or Cilicia Campaign, happened between 1918 and 1921 between France and Turkey and was part of the Turkish War of Independence. France aimed to dismantle the Ottoman administration and occupy Ottoman ports and provinces with the French Armenian Legion following agreements made in the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the French-Armenian Agreement in 1916. The French troops met resistance from Turkish National Forces, which led to the Battle of Marash in 1920. The French retreated gradually, and the Treaty of Ankara and the Armistice of Mudanya ended the war. | Asia |
| Sheikh Said Rebellion | | 20th | 1925 | 1925 | The Sheikh Said Rebellion of 1925 was a Kurdish revolt led by Sheikh Said and fought by Azadi officers against the Turkish Republic in Turkish Kurdistan, Diyarbakir and Mardin, of present-day Turkey. Historians believe the causes for the uprising were the dissatisfaction with the Turkish Parliament’s abolition of the Islamic Caliphate, alongside the maltreatment and exploitation of Kurds. The new Turkish Republic did not want a Kurdish state established in northern Iraq as they thought it would spread into their territory. The rebellion was unsuccessful, and many Kurds fled to Syria. | Asia |
| 1958 Lebanon Crisis | Lebanese Civil War of 1958 | 20th | 15 July 1958 | 1958 | The 1958 Lebanon Crisis, or the Lebanese Civil War of 1958, occurred out of Christian-Muslim tensions, the discontent with Camille Chamoun’s presidency due to the rigging of the election, the United States' financial backing of Chamoun’s election, pro-Chamonun troops attacking the opposition and the belief that Chamoun’s actions went against the National Pact. Protests led to rioting and mob attacks, and United States forces intervened to support Chamoun and secure Beirut. Eventually, both sides agreed that Chamoun would finish his term in power with Fouad Chehab as his successor. | Asia |
| Wars of the Delian League | | 5th BC | 477 BCE | 449 BCE | The Wars of the Delian League from 477 to 449 BCE were between the Persian Achaemenid Empire and the Delian League of Athens, present-day Greece, and their allies. The wars continued during the Greco-Persian Wars and the historical tensions between the two powers who had invaded one another’s territories. Athens’ aims to invade Asia Minor were to strengthen the Greek position in the region. Warfare with the Persian army resulted in a Persian counter-attack forcing the Athenians’ withdrawal. Some historians suggest the Peace of Callias treaty ended the Greco-Persian Wars. | Asia |
| Ionian Revolt | | 5th BC | 499 BCE | 493 BCE | The Ionian Revolt refers to rebellions by the Ionians and Greeks against the Persian Empire. The revolt occurred in Greek states in Asia Minor, present-day Turkey and Cyprus, in the Persian Empire and ruled by Persian-nominated tyrants. Discontent about Persia’s support of tyrants and demands for tribute and service developed into the revolt, raised by a tyrant fearful of reprisals from the Persians. Ionian and Greek troops fought the Persians in multiple battles resulting in a Persian victory and a peace settlement re-establishing their control of Asia Minor. | Asia |
| Tanggu Truce | Tangku Truce | 20th | 31 May 1933 | | The Tanggu Truce, also known as the Tangku Truce, was a significant event in the lead-up to the Pacific War. It was signed by the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan in Tanggu District, Tianjin, formally ending the Japanese invasion of Manchuria through the mediation of Great Britain and the United States. The invasion began in 1931 and led to the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo. Notwithstanding, the truce was short-lived, as Japan continued to expand its control over China, and in 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out. | Asia |
| Treaty of Nanking | Nanjing Treaty | 19th | 29 August 1842 | | The Treaty of Nanking, also called the Nanjing Treaty or Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Commerce, was an agreement signed between China and the United Kingdom. It ended the First Opium War, which had been fought between China and the British Empire over trade and diplomacy issues. Under the terms of the Treaty, China ceded the island of Hong Kong to the British and was forced to open up several treaty ports to foreign trade and residence, including Shanghai. It marked the beginning of the unequal treaties imposed on China by Western powers and Japan during the 19th and early 20th centuries. | Asia |
| Treaty of Shaoxing | Treaty of Zhaoqing | 12th | 1141 / 1142 | | The Treaty of Shaoxing, also called the Treaty of Zhaoqing or the Treaty of Shaoguan, was a peace agreement signed between the Southern Song Dynasty of China and the Jurchen-led Jin Dynasty. It ended the Jin-Song Wars, which had been fought between the two dynasties over control of northern China. Under the terms of the Treaty, the Southern Song Dynasty was forced to cede significant territories to the Jin Dynasty, which weakened the dynasty’s military power. The treaty also paved the way for the eventual conquest of the Southern Song Dynasty by the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. | Asia |
| Treaty of Chanyuan | | 11th | 1005 | | The Chanyuan Treaty was signed between the Liao Dynasty and the Song Dynasty of China. Under the terms of the Treaty, the Liao Dynasty withdrew its forces from Kaifeng, the Song Dynasty’s capital. The Song Dynasty paid a large tribute to the Liao Dynasty in acknowledging the Liao emperor as its suzerain, and the treaty established a system of regular tribute payments from the Song Dynasty to the Liao Dynasty. | Asia |
| Treaty of Changqing | | 9th | 822 | | The Treaty of Changqing was a peace treaty signed between the Tibetan emperor of the Yarlung dynasty and the Chinese Emperor of the Tang dynasty following a series of military conflicts between the two empires. In exchange for peace, the Tibetans agreed to stop their military campaigns against the Tang dynasty and the Tang agreed to pay tribute to the Tibetans. The Treaty established a period of stability between Tibet and Tang China that lasted for more than 50 years, until hostilities resumed in the mid-9th century. | Asia |
| Goguryeo-Tang War | Goguryeo-Tang Border War | 7th | 645 | 668 | The Goguryeo-Tang War, also called the Goguryeo-Tang Border War, was a conflict fought between the Goguryeo kingdom in Korea and the Tang dynasty of China. Sparked by the Tang dynasty’s expansionist policies and its desire to gain control over the Korean Peninsula, the two sides engaged in many battles and skirmishes along the border between Goguryeo and the Tang-controlled Silla Kingdom in southern Korea for several years. This war was a significant event in Korean and Chinese history, shaping the political and cultural landscape of the region for centuries to come. | Asia |
| Sino-Burmese War | Qing Invasions of Burma | 18th | December 1765 | 22 December 1769/1790 | The Sino-Burmese War, also called the Qing Invasions of Burma, was a series of military campaigns fought between the Qing Dynasty of China and the Konbaung Dynasty of Burma (present-day Myanmar). The war was sparked by the expansionist policies of the Konbaung Dynasty, which had conquered the Shan states in northern Burma and threatened Chinese interests in the region. In response, the Qing Dynasty launched a series of invasions of Burma to protect its border and assert dominance over the region, with both sides suffering significant casualties. | Asia |
| Sino-Nepalese War | Sino-Gorkha War | 18th | 1788 | 1789 | The Sino-Nepalese War, also known as the Sino-Gorkha War, was fought between the Kingdom of Nepal and the Qing dynasty of China. Nepal launched an invasion of Tibet, which was under Qing rule, and China sent an army to reassert control over Tibet. The war took place in the difficult terrain of the Himalayan foothills. Despite being outnumbered, the Nepalese forces were able to repel the Chinese army. The war ended with the Treaty of Betrawati in 1792, which recognized Nepal’s sovereignty and established a border between Nepal and Tibet. | Asia |
| Treaty of Betrawati | Nepal-China Treaty of 1792 | 18th | 6 September 1792 | | The Treaty of Betrawati, also known as the Nepal-China Treaty of 1792, was signed between the Kingdom of Nepal and the Qing Dynasty of China in the village of Betrawati (present-day Nuwakot district of Nepal). It established diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, recognising Nepal’s sovereignty and delineating the border between Nepal and Tibet. The treaty guaranteed trade between the two nations and the establishment of consulates in each other’s territories. It also marked Nepal’s transition from a landlocked Himalayan kingdom into a regional power. | Asia |
| Sino-Indian War | Sino-Indian Border Conflict | 20th | 20 October 1962 | 21 November 1962 | The Sino-Indian War, also called the Sino-Indian Border Conflict, was a brief war between China and India after the 1959 Tibetan uprising when India granted asylum to the Dalai Lama. The war was fought over a disputed Himalayan border region, with both sides claiming sovereignty over the area. The war resulted in a decisive Chinese victory, with China gaining control of Aksai Chin, a strategic region in the western Himalayas. The Dalai Lama still resides in exile in India, causing continuing tensions in China and India’s relationship. Casualties of this war were soldiers from both forces. | Asia |
| Ming-Mong Mao War | | 14th | January 1386 | 1388 | The Ming-Mong Mao War was a series of conflicts between the Ming Dynasty of China and the Mong Mao state in what is now known as the Yunnan province of China. The Mong Mao was an important trading hub, connecting China with Southeast Asia and India and known for its rich natural resources of gold, silver, and other minerals. The Ming Dynasty sought to expand its control over these resources and trade routes. The Ming Dynasty was victorious and Mong Mao state was dissolved and became part of the Ming Empire. Its people were assimilated into Chinese culture and society. | Asia |
| First Opium War | Anglo-Chinese War of 1839-1842 | 19th | 4 September 1839 | 29 August 1842 | The First Opium War, also known as the Anglo-Chinese War of 1839-1842, was fought between the British East India Company and China. As the leading seller of opium to China, Britain was keen to maintain its monopoly on the drug grown in its colonies in India. In 1976, China made the import and cultivation of opium illegal to crack down on the opium trade, which was being conducted illegally by British merchants. The British responded by initiating war. The Qing government was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, which ceded Hong Kong to the British Empire. | Asia |
| Second Opium War | Second Anglo-Sino War | 19th | 8 October 1856 | 24 October 1860 | The Second Opium War, also known as the Second Anglo-Sino War, was a colonial war between the British Empire and the French Empire against the Qing Dynasty of China. The war was fought over issues relating to trade and diplomatic relations between China and the Western powers, including the treatment of foreign envoys in China. It ended with the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 and the Convention of Beijing in 1860, which imposed several unequal treaties on China, such as the opening of additional treaty ports to foreign trade and the legalisation of the opium trade. | Asia |
| Tientsin Accord | Li-Fournier Convention | 19th | 11 May 1884 | | The Tientsin Accord, also called the Li-Fournier Convention, was an agreement intended to settle an undeclared war between France and China over the sovereignty of Tonkin (present-day northern Vietnam). The accord recognised France’s right to extend its influence over parts of northern Vietnam, which was then part of the Chinese Empire. In return, France recognised China’s sovereignty over Annam and Tonkin, which it had previously attempted to conquer. The accord established rules for further foreign encroachment in China and was seen as a major defeat for Chinese sovereignty. | Asia |
| 1911 Revolution | Xinhai Revolution | 20th | 10 October 1911 | 12 February 1912 | The 1911 Revolution, also known as the Xinhai Revolution, was a nationwide uprising that began in the city of Wuchang (now the Wuchang District of Wuhan) by a group of revolutionaries who sought to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish a democratic government. The revolution spread throughout the country, with rebellions breaking out in many major cities. The revolutionaries were united in their desire to end the Qing Dynasty’s rule and create a new, modern China. This uprising marked the end of over 2,000 years of imperial rule in China and established the Republic of China. | Asia |
| National Protection War | Anti-Monarchy War | 20th | 25 December 1915 | 14 July 1916 | The National Protection War, also known as the Anti-Monarchy War, was a civil war that took place in China three years after the last Chinese dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, had been overthrown and the Republic of China was established in its place. Yuan Shikai, the President of the Republic of China, declared himself emperor in 1915 and was met with widespread opposition, which turned into open rebellion and war. Yuan’s attempt to establish an imperial dynasty came to an end with his death in 1916. The war is considered a pivotal moment in the early years of the Republic of China. | Asia |
| Sino-Tibetan War | Second Sino-Tibetan War | 20th | 1930 | 1932 | The Sino-Tibetan War, also called the Second Sino-Tibetan War, was a war between the Republic of China and Tibet that began when Tibetan forces attacked Chinese positions in the Chumbi Valley, a region located on the border between Tibet and the Chinese province of Sichuan. The Chinese responded with a full-scale invasion of Tibet, capturing the Tibetan capital of Lhasa and causing the Dalai Lama to seek exile in India. The Sino-Tibetan War was a significant event in the history of Tibet and China, marking the beginning of China’s occupation of Tibet and the end of Tibet’s independence. | Asia |
| Seventeen Point Agreement | | 20th | 23 May 1951 | | The Seventeen Point Agreement was signed between the Chinese Central People’s Government and the government of Tibet. It provided for the incorporation of Tibet into the People’s Republic of China while allowing the traditional Tibetan social system, including the role of the Dalai Lama as a spiritual and temporal leader, to continue. However, the agreement was not recognised by the government of the Republic of China in Taiwan nor by the exiled Tibetan government led by the Dalai Lama. | Asia |
| Mongol Invasions | Mongol Wars | 13th, 14th | 1206 | 1368 | The Mongol Invasions progressed through the 13th century as a series of campaigns and invasions which led to the vast Mongol Empire covering much of Asia and Europe by the year 1300. Key figures include Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire, and his grandson Kublai Khan, who completed the conquest of China and established the Yuan Dynasty, and Ögedei Khan, Genghis Khan’s successor as Great Khan. The Mongol Invasions have been recorded as an orgy of violence and destruction and as likely to have spread the bubonic plague across Eurasia. | Asia |
| Chinese Civil War | Chinese Revolution | 20th | 1 August 1927 | 7 December 1949 | The Chinese Civil War, also known as the Chinese Revolution, was a long and intermittent conflict in China between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Party or Kuomintang (KMT) that lasted from 1927 to 1949. It was a struggle for power and control of China, with the CCP ultimately emerging victorious and establishing the People’s Republic of China in 1949. While no official death toll was recorded, estimates suggest that millions of civilians lost their lives due to direct combat, famine, disease, and other factors related to the war. | Asia |
| First Taiwan Strait Crisis | Formosa Crisis | 20th | 3 September 1954 | 1 May 1955 | The First Taiwan Strait Crisis, also known as the Formosa Crisis, was a conflict between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC). It was sparked by the PRC’s decision to launch a series of attacks on the ROC-held islands of Quemoy and Matsu, located just off the coast of mainland China. The crisis raised fears of a wider conflict between the United States, which supported the ROC, and the Soviet Union, which supported the PRC. It eventually ended with a ceasefire in 1955, but tensions between the PRC and ROC continued, leading to the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1958. | Asia |
| Second Taiwan Strait Crisis | 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis | 20th | 23 August 1958 | 22 September 1958 | The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, also called the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis, was a continuation of the conflict between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC),commonly known as Taiwan. It was the first time that the United States and the PRC were involved in a direct military confrontation. The crisis began when the PRC began shelling the islands held by the ROC to test the extent of the United States’ defence, as it was supporting the ROC through military aid. The crisis initially escalated but ended when the PRC announced a ceasefire and the ROC agreed to stop its air raids against the PRC. | Asia |
| Manchu Restoration | Dingsi Restoration | 20th | 1 July 1917 | 12 July 1917 | The Manchu Restoration, also known as the Dingsi Restoration, was an attempt to restore imperial rule in China by the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty. It was led by Qing loyalist General Zhang Xun whose army seized Beijing and briefly reinstalled the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Puyi, to the throne. Zhang Xun’s forces were defeated by the republican army, and he was forced to flee. The Manchu Restoration failed and marked the end of the Qing Dynasty’s attempts to regain power. It also highlighted the continued instability in China, with various factions vying for power and control. | Asia |
| Ming-Hồ War | Ming-Đại Ngu War | 15th | 11 May 1406 | 17 June 1407 | The Ming-Hồ War, also known in Vietnam as the Ming-Đại Ngu War, was fought between the kingdom of Đại Ngu (present-day northern Vietnam) under the Hồ Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty of China. The conflict began with Ming intervention in support of a rival faction to the Hồ Dynasty which ruled Đại Ngu, but ended with the incorporation of Đại Ngu into the Ming Dynasty as the province of Jiaozhi. The invasion is recognised by historians as a significant war of the late medieval period, where both sides used the most advanced weapons in the world at the time. | Asia |
| Ming-Kotte War | | 15th | 1410 / 1411 | Unknown | The Ming-Kotte War was a military conflict that took place in the early 15th century between the Ming Dynasty of China and the Sinhalese Kingdom of Kotte in Sri Lanka. It occurred when the Chinese treasure fleet returned to Sri Lanka in 1410 or 1411, and resulted in the overthrow of King Alakeshvara of the Alagakkonara feudatory, who was replaced by Parakramabahu VI of the previous royal family. The conflict ended with a Chinese victory, with China establishing a diplomatic and trade relationship with the new king. | Asia |
| Sino-Russian Border Conflicts | | 17th | 1652 | 1689 | The Sino-Russian border conflicts of 1652-1689 were a series of intermittent battles and wars between the Qing Dynasty of China and the Russian Empire. The conflict was mainly fought over the control of Siberia and the Amur River region by the Tsardom of Russia and involved both military clashes and diplomatic negotiations. The conflict resulted in the Treaty of Nerchinsk (1689),a border treaty between the two powers that established the borders of Siberia and China. | Asia |
| Dzungar-Qing Wars | Zunghar-Qing Wars | 17th | 1687 | 1758 | The Dzungar-Qing Wars were a series of conflicts fought between the Dzungar Khanate, a Mongol-Oirat empire based in present-day Kazakhstan, and the Qing Dynasty of China. The wars were sparked by a territorial dispute over control of Mongolia and Tibet, which both sides claimed as their own. The Qing defeated the Dzungars and consolidated their control over Mongolia and Tibet, resulting in the near annihilation of the Dzungar Khanate, with significant loss of life and the forced migration of many Dzungars from their homeland. | Asia |
| Treaty of Nerchinsk | Treaty of Nerchinsk-Aigun | 17th | 27 August 1689 | | The Treaty of Nerchinsk, also known as the Treaty of Nerchinsk-Aigun, was a peace treaty signed by the Tsardom of Russia and the Qing Dynasty of China and negotiated in Nerchinsk, a border town between the two countries. It resolved the border disputes that had led to a series of conflicts between the two empires in the region of Siberia and Mongolia. The treaty defined the borders between the two empires and established a trade relationship between Russia and China. It was the first treaty between Russia and China and marked a significant moment in the history of Sino-Russian relations. | Asia |
| Sino-Sikh War | Dogra-Tibetan War | 19th | May 1841 | August 1842 | The Sino-Sikh War, also called the Dogra-Tibetan War, was fought between the Sikh Empire and the Chinese Qing Dynasty over the control of Ladakh, a region in the western Himalayas. The Sikh Empire had previously annexed Ladakh, but the Chinese claimed it as a tributary state. The Chinese forces were led by a Dogra commander who had defected from the Sikh Empire. The Chinese forces were victorious, and the Sikhs were forced to cede Ladakh to China. The war marked the first time the Chinese had established direct control over Ladakh, leading to tensions with the British East India Company. | Asia |
| Taiping Rebellion | Taiping Civil War | 19th | December 1850 | August 1864 | The Taiping Rebellion, also known as the Taiping Civil War or Taiping Revolution, was a massive civil war in China between the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty and the Hakka-led Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The latter wanted to establish a new dynasty, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and replace the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty. The rebellion was characterised by its religious fervour and radical political and social ideology. It was marked by brutal fighting, including massacres of civilians, and the loss of an estimated 20-30 million lives, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. | Asia |
| First Manchu Invasion of Korea | Later Jin Invasion of Joseon | 17th | January 1627 | 3 March 1627 | The First Manchu Invasion of Korea, also known as the Later Jin Invasion of Joseon, was a conflict launched by the Later Jin Dynasty of Manchu-led China against the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The main objective of the invasion was to acquire Joseon’s abundant natural resources and establish a tributary relationship with the Korean state. The invasion was successful, and the Manchu forces briefly occupied the Korean capital, Hanyang (modern-day Seoul). The war ended with the Treaty of Ningbo, which forced Joseon to recognise the Later Jin as its suzerain state and pay tribute to China. | Asia |
| Qing Invasion of Joseon | Qing Conquest of Joseon | 17th | 9 December 1636 | 30 January 1637 | The Qing Invasion of Joseon, also known as the Qing Conquest of Joseon, was fought between the Qing Dynasty of China against the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. The invasion was aimed at establishing the Qing Dynasty as the dominant power in East Asia and formalising Joseon’s relationship as a tributary state to the Qing Dynasty, thus severing its relationship with the previous Ming Dynasty. The invasion was successful, and Joseon was forced to acknowledge Qing suzerainty and pay tribute to China. This marked the beginning of Joseon’s long-term tributary relationship with Qing China. | Asia |
| Gwangju Uprising | May 18 | 20th | 18 May 1980 | 27 May 1980 | The Gwangju Uprising, also known as May 18, was a popular uprising that took place in the city of Gwangju, South Korea, in response to the imposition of martial law and the arrest of the democratic leader Kim Dae-jung, who would later become the president of South Korea. Protestors fought against the authoritarian government that had taken power in a military coup. The military used deadly force resulting in numerous civilian deaths. The Gwangju Uprising is commemorated in South Korea each year on May 18 as a national holiday and has become a symbol of the struggle for democracy and human rights. | Asia |
| Punti-Hakka Clan Wars | Hakka-Punti Clan Wars | 19th | 1855 | 1868 | The Punti-Hakka Clan Wars, also known as the Hakka-Punti Clan Wars, were a series of large-scale conflicts in Guangdong province, China, during the 19th century. They were fought between the Punti and Hakka people, who were two major Han Chinese subgroups with different customs, languages, and geographical origins. The clashes were fuelled by long-standing social, economic, and political grievances, and competition for territory and power. It is estimated that over a million died, through brutal violence and mass killings, and thousands of villages were destroyed. | Asia |
| Nian Rebellion | Nian Uprising | 19th | c. 1853 | c. 1868 | The Nian Rebellion, also called the Nian Uprising, was a major conflict in northern China during the late Qing dynasty that took place at the same time as the Taiping Rebellion in southern and central China. Led by the Nian Army, a group of rebel farmers discontent with the government’s policies and the social and economic conditions of the time, it began in the eastern province of Shandong, quickly spreading to other northern provinces. Marked by several large-scale battles, the rebellion was finally defeated after a long and bloody campaign by the government forces. | Asia |
| Zhili-Anhui War | Anhui-Zhili War | 20th | 14 July 1920 | 23 July 1920 | The Zhili-Anhui War, also known as the Anhui-Zhili War, was fought in China between two rival factions of the Beiyang government, the Zhili clique and the Anhui clique. The former was based in the Zhili province (present-day Hebei) and led by military governor Feng Guozhang, while the latter was based in the Anhui province and led by general Duan Qirui. The war broke out over control of the central government and the capital city of Beijing. It lasted for several months and resulted in the defeat of the Anhui clique, strengthening the power of the Zhili clique in the Beiyang government. | Asia |
| First Sino-Japanese War | War of Jiawu | 19th | 1 August 1894 | 17 April 1895 | The First Sino-Japanese War, also known as the War of Jiawu in China, was a war between the Qing Dynasty of the Empire of China and the Empire of Japan, primarily for supremacy in Korea and the Korean Peninsula. Korea had been one of China’s most important states, but its strategic position and rich resources attracted Japan’s interest and desire for control. Japan forced Korea to open itself to Japanese trade in 1875, allowing Korea to declare itself independent from China. The Japanese victory saw China cede Taiwan, Penghu and Liaodong provinces in the Korean Peninsula to the Empire of Japan. | Asia |
| Second Sino-Japanese War | War of Resistance | 20th | 7 July 1937 | 2 September 1945 | The Second Sino-Japanese War, also known as the War of Resistance, was fought between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. The war is viewed as the start of WWII in Asia. China was supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany at different periods during the war. It resulted in a victory for the Republic of China, although deaths and casualties were estimated at over 2.5 million. Japan lost territory to China, which became a permanent member of the UN Security Council. | Asia |
| Bombardment of Kagoshima | Anglo-Satsuma War | 19th | 15 August 1863 | 17 August 1863 | The Bombardment of Kagoshima, also known as the Anglo-Satsuma War, was a two-day military conflict fought between Imperial Britain and the Satsuma Domain of Kagoshima, in Japan. Britain wanted compensation from the Shimazu feudal lords who ruled Satsuma for the Namamugi Incident of 1862, when a British Royal Navy fleet was attacked by Satsuma coastal forces. The British response was to bombard the city, though they were unable to gain a decisive victory and retreated two days later. The Satsuma declared victory following the fulfilment of certain negotiations demanded by the British. | Asia |
| Boshin War | Japanese Revolution | 19th | 27 January 1868 | 27 June 1869 | The Boshin War, also known as the Japanese Revolution or the Japanese Civil War, was a civil war fought in Japan between the ruling Tokugawa shogunate forces and a new government seeking the restoration of the Japanese Imperial court and monarchy by seizing power. Feudal lords from both the Satsuma and Choshu Domains were actively involved in the formation of the new government called the Meiji. The Meiji government were victorious and restored imperial rule in Japan. The number of casualties was significantly lower than in other wars and has thus been idealised as a “bloodless revolution”. | Asia |
| Japanese Invasion of Taiwan (1874) | Mudan Incident | 19th | 6 May 1874 | 3 December 1874 | The Japanese invasion of Taiwan in 1874, also referred to as the Mudan Incident, was launched by the Japanese in retaliation for the murder of a number of Ryukyuan sailors by Paiwan, the indigenous people of Taiwan. The invasion was a success for the Empire of Japan and the first overseas deployment of imperial Japanese forces. It exposed the Qing Dynasty's fragile hold on Taiwan, triggering further Japanese attacks. British diplomacy eventually resolved Japan's conflict with China, although this was to Japan’s advantage as China was forced to pay indemnity to Japan. | Asia |
| Satsuma Rebellion | Southwestern War | 19th | 29 January 1877 | 24 September 1877 | The Satsuma Rebellion, also known as the Seinan War and the Southwestern War, was the final military revolt by disaffected samurai warriors against the new Meiji imperial government and its military reforms. The Meiji government’s reforms had left the samurai warriors - who were influential during the Restoration which saw the Imperial Court return to power - unemployed and their status obsolete. The rebellion pitted an experienced samurai army against the conscripted Imperial army, however, when the samurai leader Saigō Takamori was mortally wounded, the rebellion was crushed. | Asia |
| Boxer Rebellion | Boxer Uprising | 19th, 20th | 18 October 1899 | 7 September 1901 | The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising, began as an anti-foreign, anti-colonial movement by a secret society that the British called the Boxers, due to their practice of Chinese boxing (a form of martial arts). Once Empress Dowager Cixi of Qing China gave her support, it turned into a war against European nations and the United States. The allied forces were able to quash the rebellion and took over Beijing and the Forgotten City. The Qing Dynasty was forced to pay a huge cash indemnity and sign the Boxer Protocol. | Asia |
| Russo-Japanese War | Japanese-Russian War | 20th | 8 February 1904 | 5 September 1905 | The Russo-Japanese War, also known as the Japanese-Russian War, was a war waged between the Empire of Japan and the Russian Empire over opposing imperial ambitions in Manchuria (present-day China) and the Korean Empire. The war was initiated by Japan to ensure the sovereignty of Japan in the Korean Peninsula and to stop the expansion of the Russian Empire southward. Although it resulted in a Japanese victory, both sides suffered heavy losses with Russian deaths estimated at up to 120,000 and Japanese deaths up to 87,000. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth. | Asia |
| Boxer Protocol | Xinchou Treaty | 20th | 7 September 1901 | | The Boxer Protocol, also known as the Xinchou Treaty, was signed by the Qing Dynasty of the Empire of China and the Eight-Nation Alliance, which included the British Empire and the United States. It was one of the unequal treaties, a name coined by the Chinese for treaties they were forced to sign in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Boxer Protocol was humiliating for China and exposed the weakness of the Qing government, who were forced to pay a huge indemnity. It has shaped contemporary Chinese diplomacy, strength, and sovereignty over the past century. | Asia |
| Treaty of Portsmouth | Japan-Russia Treaty of Peace | 20th | 5 September 1905 | | The Treaty of Portsmouth, also referred to as the Japan-Russia Treaty of Peace, is a treaty that officially ended the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The signing of the treaty was mediated by the United States in the naval port of Portsmouth in New Hampshire, United States. The treaty confirmed Japan as a pre-eminent power in South Asia but also secured three decades of peace between Russia and Japan. The treaty consented to Japan the right of predominance and colonisation of the Korean Peninsula, resulting in the annexation of Korea to Japan in 1910. | Asia |
| Beipu Incident | Beipu Uprising | 20th | 14 November 1907 | Unknown | The Beipu Incident, also known as the Beipu Uprising, was an armed local uprising by a group of insurgents from multiple indigenous groups mainly of Hakka culture. The insurgents were resisting the oppressive Japanese colonial rule of the island of Taiwan. The uprising was the first of its kind in Taiwan under Japanese rule, but for nearly a century the uprising has been overlooked and distorted. The tragedy is still remembered in Beipu as families of the victims are still seeking justice. In 2007 the remains of victims were uncovered, and a formal memorial was held to commemorate the dead. | Asia |
| Japanese Invasion of Taiwan (1895) | Yiwei War | 19th | 29 May 1895 | 21 October 1895 | The Japanese Invasion of Taiwan 1895, also known as the Yiwei War, was an armed conflict between the Empire of Japan and the Republic of Formosa, a short-lived republic of Taiwan that existed before the Qing Dynasty of The Empire of China’s cession of Taiwan to Japan following the First Sino-Japanese War. The Formosan forces fought to resist Japanese occupation and suffered heavy losses with deaths estimated at around 14,000, including civilians. Japanese victory at the Battle of Baguashan crushed Republican forces, ending organised resistance to Japanese occupation. It led to five decades of Japanese rule in Taiwan. | Asia |
| Tapani Incident | Tapani Uprising | 20th | 1915 | 1915 | The Tapani Incident, also referred to as the Tapani Uprising, was one of the largest armed uprisings by indigenous Taiwanese Han and Taivoan against Japanese rule in Taiwan. The uprising is also known as the Xilai Temple Incident, after the Xilai Temple in Tainan where the revolt began. The uprising was quickly quashed after Japanese authorities escalated their devastating use of military force. Historical data and the remains of many victims were hidden until recently when the Tainan City Government officiated the first release of victims' names as part of a commemorative act. | Asia |
| Jinan Incident | 3 May Tragedy | 20th | 3 May 1928 | 11 May 1928 | The Jinan Incident, also called the 3 May Tragedy, was an armed conflict between the Chinese National Revolutionary Army (NRA) and the Japanese Imperial Army. It began as a dispute between the military arm of the Chinese nationalist party, the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) and Japanese soldiers stationed in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province in China. The Japanese Imperial forces were deployed to protect Japanese interests in the region, and their attack resulted in thousands of deaths on the NRA side, who fled the area and left Jinan under Japanese occupation until March 1929. | Asia |
| Musha Incident | Wushe Rebellion | 20th | 27 October 1930 | December 1930 | The Musha Incident, also known as the Wushe Rebellion, was the last main uprising by Taiwanese indigenous groups against the Japanese colonial forces in Taiwan, and viewed as a key moment in Taiwan’s colonial history. The indigenous Seediq group led the uprising and were brought to the verge of genocide by Japanese colonial authorities. Long-term oppression by Japanese colonisers led the Seediq to attack Japanese attendees at the Musha Elementary School, triggering a relentless counter-attack by Japanese forces who deployed heavy artillery and battalions of troops. | Asia |
| Japanese Invasion of Manchuria | Mukden Incident | 20th | 18 September 1931 | 28 February 1932 | The Japanese Invasion of Manchuria, also known as the Manchurian Incident, was fought between the Empire of Japan’s Kwantung Army and the Empire of China, after Japan invaded Manchuria in China to take control of the region’s rich natural resources for Japan’s growing industries. Japan used the Mukden Incident to seize control of the Mukden province, claiming Chinese interference in Japan controlled South Manchuria Railway Zone, establishing a puppet state of Manchukuo. Their occupation lasted until the end of the Second World War. | Asia |
| Manchuria Corrective Treaty | Peking Treaty of 1905 | 20th | 22 December 1905 | | The Manchuria Corrective Treaty, also referred to as the Peking Treaty of 1905, was a treaty between the Japanese Empire and the Qing Dynasty of China. It followed the Treaty of Portsmouth and reasserted the transferral of the Russian Empire's interests in Manchuria to Japan. Although the region was in part a Japanese Colony, the Qing did effectively still control the Manchurian province, making this treaty necessary to approve Japan’s additional demands already agreed upon in the Portsmouth Treaty. | Asia |
| January 28 Incident | Shanghai Incident | 20th | 28 January 1932 | 3 March 1932 | The January 28 Incident, also known as the Shanghai Incident, was an armed conflict between the Japanese Empire and the Republic of China. Following the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, Japanese soldiers in the Shanghai International Settlement provoked anti-Japanese demonstrations. The Japanese government responded by sending militant ultranationalist Japanese Buddhist priests to the area to promote Japanese rule by engaging in public anti-Chinese protests. Intense violence increased anti-Japanese sentiment until a ceasefire was agreed, and Shanghai demilitarised. | Asia |
| Soviet-Japanese Border War | First Soviet-Japanese War | 20th | 1 March 1932 | 16 September 1939 | The Soviet-Japanese Border War, also known as the First Soviet-Japanese War or the Soviet-Japanese border conflicts, were a series of armed conflicts fought between the Soviet Union allied with Mongolia and Imperial Japan. Increased Japanese expansion in Northeast China between Japanese-occupied Manchuria, China and the Soviet Far East border (in the Soviet client state of Mongolia) led to growing tensions between the Soviets and Japanese. The victory over Japan for Soviet-Mongolian forces in the Battles of Khalkhin Gol reverted the borders to status quo ante bellum. | Asia |
| Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact | Japanese-Soviet Non-aggression Pact | 20th | 13 April 1941 | 5 April 1945 | The Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, also called the Japanese-Soviet Non-aggression Pact, was a treaty between the Soviet Union and the Empire of Japan following the end of the Soviet-Japanese Border War. Under the terms of the agreement, the two nations would be able to fight against each other's allies during WWII but not against each other. At the same time, they signed a declaration pledging to respect the territorial integrity of their client states of Mongolia and Manchukuo. However, towards the end of WWII Russia denounced the treaty and joined the Allied campaign against Japan. | Asia |
| Japanese Invasion of French Indochina | | 20th | 22 September 1940 | 26 September 1940 | The Japanese Invasion of French Indochina was a very brief undeclared military conflict between The Japanese Empire and Vichy France, the colonial authority of French Indochina. Japan wanted to stop China from using the Kunming-Haiphong railway, which ran through the regions of northern French Indochina, to import arms and fuel. The Japanese and Vichy French governments reached an agreement, but fighting had already broken out on the ground. The agreement resulted in a blockade on China and directly led to Japan’s occupation of Tonkin (present-day Vietnam). | Asia |
| Guangdong-Guangxi War | 1st and 2nd Yue-Gui Wars | 20th | 1920 | 1922 | The Guangdong-Guangxi War, also known as the 1st and 2nd Yue-Gui Wars, was a series of conflicts between the Kuomintang-led government of Guangdong and the Old Guangxi Clique in the Guangxi province of China. The war was fought between two factions of the Kuomintang, the Guomindang-led government of Guangdong and the Old Guangxi Clique, led by warlord Lu Rongting. The war marked the beginning of Chiang Kai-shek’s campaign to reunify China under Kuomintang rule and demonstrated the challenges faced by the Kuomintang in their efforts to establish a unified government in China. | Asia |
| First Zhili-Fengtian War | First Zhili-Feng War | 20th | 10 April 1922 | 18 June 1922 | The First Zhili-Fengtian War, also called the First Zhili-Feng War, was fought between two powerful cliques in China during the Warlord Era, the Zhili and the Fengtian, who were vying for control of Beijing. The war lasted for several months, with fierce fighting taking place in and around Beijing. The Zhili forces emerged victorious, and the Fengtian clique were forced to flee from Beijing. The defeat of the Fengtian clique weakened their position in the coalition government, and the Zhili were able to consolidate their power, cementing their dominance in northern China. | Asia |
| Second Zhili-Fengtian War | Second Chihli-Fengtien War | 20th | 15 September 1924 | | The Second Zhili-Fengtian War, also called the Second Chihli-Fengtien War, was fought between the Japanese-backed Fengtian clique and the Zhili clique, who after the First Zhili-Fengtian War controlled Beijing with Anglo-American support. A power struggle over control of the Beijing government escalated into a full-scale war that lasted several months. The Fengtian forces emerged victorious. The war demonstrated the growing influence of foreign powers in Chinese politics and the increasing use of military force to settle political disputes among warlords. | Asia |
| Kaidu-Kublai War | Chaghatai Khanate-Yuan Dynasty War | 13th, 14th | 1268 | 1301 | The Kaidu-Kublai War, also called the Chaghatai Khanate-Yuan Dynasty War, was fought over control of Central Asia between Kaidu, the Chaghatai Khanate ruler in Central Asia, and Kublai Khan of the Yuan dynasty in China. Kaidu viewed Kublai’s attempts to centralise power in China as a threat to Mongol autonomy. Both sides experienced victories and defeats, but ultimately the war ended inconclusively. Kaidu retained his power in the Chaghatai Khanate, while Kublai shifted focus towards consolidating control over China. | Asia |
| Anti-Fengtian War | Guominjun-Fengtian War | 20th | November 1925 | April 1926 | The Anti-Fengtian War, also called the Guominjun-Fengtian War, was a major civil war within the Republic of China’s northern Beiyang government. The war was waged by the Guominjun, a faction led by Sun Yat-sen’s Kuomintang, against the Fengtian clique and their Zhili-clique allies, who sought to overthrow the Beiyang government and establish a new government based on the Three Principles of the People. The Guominjun were defeated, and yet the war paved the way for the Northern Expedition and the reunification of China under the Nationalist government. | Asia |
| Central Plains War | | 20th | May 1930 | November 1930 | The Central Plains War was a Chinese civil war between the Nationalist government in Nanjing, led by Chiang Kai-shek, and a coalition of regional military commanders and warlords who were his former allies. The war, which was fought in the central provinces of China, was sparked by a power struggle between Chiang and the military leaders who had helped him reunify China but felt his policies were too authoritarian. The war was marked by a high number of civilian casualties on both sides. Although Chiang emerged victorious, the war ultimately weakened his authority. | Asia |
| Northern Expedition | Northern March | 20th | 9 July 1926 | 29 December 1928 | The Northern Expedition, also known as the Northern March, was a major military campaign launched by the National Revolutionary Army of the Kuomintang against the Beiyang government and other regional warlords in China. The goal was to reunify China under the control of the Kuomintang and establish a unified government. The conflict was supported by the Soviet Union which provided military advisers and supplies to the National Revolutionary Army. The Northern Expedition defeated the Beiyang government and established the Nationalist government in Nanjing. Nearly one million deaths are estimated. | Asia |
| Anglo-Thai Peace Treaty | | 20th | 1 January 1946 | | The Anglo-Thai Peace Treaty, also known as the Formal Agreement for the Termination of the State of War between Siam (present-day Thailand) and Great Britain and India, was a treaty that brought an end to the state of war that had existed between Thailand and the United Kingdom since the former’s declaration of war during WWII. Under the terms of the treaty, Siam renounced all claims to territories occupied during the war, including British Malaya, British Borneo, and French Indochina. Siam also agreed to the release of Allied prisoners of war and to pay reparations to the British government. | Asia |
| Peace Treaty between China and Tibet | Sino-Tibetan Peace Treaty of 783 | 8th | 783 | | The Peace Treaty between China and Tibet, also called the Sino-Tibetan Peace Treaty of 783, is a peace treaty between the Chinese Empire of the Tang dynasty and the Tibetan Empire. The treaty granted the latter all the land in the Kokonor region, which corresponds to present-day Qinghai Lake. The treaty brought an end to the hostilities that had been ongoing between the two empires for over 200 years and set boundaries between the two which remained in place for several centuries. Under the agreement, Tibet concurred to pay an annual tribute to the Tang Empire in exchange for the recognition of Tibetan autonomy. | Asia |
| Treaty of Kyakhta | Treaty of Kiakhta | 18th | 25 June 1727 | | The Treaty of Kyakhta of 1727, also known as the Treaty of Kiakhta, was a treaty agreed between the Qing Empire of China and the Russian Empire to regulate trade relations between the two empires and to establish a border between Siberia and China. One of the key provisions of the treaty was the establishment of a fixed border between Siberia and China, which ran along the Argun River and Lake Baikal. The treaty allowed mutual access to markets in each other’s territories, and set out trade tariffs and taxes, while also establishing rules for the treatment of prisoners crossing the border. | Asia |
| China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty | | 20th | 12 August 1978 | | The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People’s Republic of China, also known as the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty, was signed between the governments of Japan and China. It served to normalise diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries after years of tension and conflict following WWII. The treaty recognised the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China, affirming that Japan would not support any actions or activities to undermine Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. | Asia |
| Russian Conquest of Siberia | Russian Colonisation of Siberia | 16th, 17th, 18th | 1580 | 1778 | The Russian Conquest of Siberia, also called the Russian Colonisation of Siberia, was a gradual annexation of Siberia by the Russian Empire which began in 1580 when a group of Cossacks invaded Siberia. The indigenous peoples of Siberia fiercely resisted, however, after establishing a foothold in Siberia, the Russians gradually expanded their control over the region through a combination of military force, diplomacy, and intermarriage. The conquest was a significant achievement for the Russian Empire, and Siberia’s vast natural resources continue to be a key factor in Russia’s economy. | Asia |
| Genkō War | Genkō Incident | 14th | 1331 | 1333 | The Genkō War, also known as the Genkō Incident, was a civil war in Japan between the Emperor Go-Daigo and the Kamakura shogunate, the feudal military government of Japan during the Kamakura period. Emperor Go-Daigo believed the Kamakura shogunate was corrupt and, favouring the interests of the samurai, he aimed to restore imperial power. The conflict had significant consequences for Japanese history, marking the end of the Kamakura period and the beginning of the Muromachi period. It also contributed to the growth of the samurai class, who played a crucial role in the fighting. | Asia |
| Mongol Invasion of Java | Mongol-Javanese War | 13th | 22 January 1293 | August 1293 | The Mongol Invasion of Java, also called the Mongol-Javanese War, was an attack on the island of Java by Kublai Khan, founder of the Yuan dynasty in China. The invasion force consisted of a large fleet of ships and an army of over 20,000 men, but they were met with stiff resistance from the Javanese who made use of guerrilla tactics. After several months of fighting, the Mongols were forced to withdraw due to a combination of disease, dwindling supplies, and mounting losses. The Javanese victory was a significant setback for the Mongols, who had hoped to establish a foothold in Southeast Asia. | Asia |
| Qinghai-Tibet War | Tsinghai-Tibet War | 20th | 1932 | Unknown | The Qinghai-Tibet War, also called the Tsinghai-Tibet War, took place during the Chinese Civil War and the Sino-Tibetan War. With British support, it was led by the 13th Dalai Lama to expand the original conflict taking place between the Tibetan Army and the forces of the warlord Liu Wenhui. The Dalai Lama’s forces hoped to gain control over Qinghai and parts of Tibet, which were controlled by Liu’s troops. The Tibetans lost considerable land, leading the British to put pressure on Nanjing to declare a ceasefire. Truces were signed in 1933, ending the fighting. | Asia |
| Ōnin War | Ōnin-Bunmei War | 15th | 1467 | 1477 | The Ōnin War, also called the Ōnin-Bunmei War, was a civil war between two powerful samurai clans, the Hosokawa and the Yamana, who were vying for control over the shogunate. The conflict was triggered by the death of the shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who had failed to name a successor. The war was characterised by its brutality, widespread looting and pillaging, as well as its use of firearms, which were introduced to Japan by the Portuguese. The war devastated Japan, leading to a period of instability that lasted for more than a century and saw the displacement of many people. | Asia |
| Han-Liu War | | 20th | September 1932 | November 1932 | The Han-Liu War was a major military conflict in late 1932 between the private armies of two warlords, Han Fuju and Liu Zhennian, over control of the Shandong province in China. Han controlled most of Shandong and had long desired to capture the eastern part of the province, which was held by Liu. Han emerged victorious and went on to rule Shandong unopposed for the following six years, while Liu was exiled to southern China. The war lasted for several months and resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life. | Asia |
| Soviet Invasion of Xinjiang | Soviet Reconquest of Xinjiang | 20th | 1934 | 1934 | The Soviet Invasion of Xinjiang, also called the Soviet Reconquest of Xinjiang, was a military campaign initiated by the Soviet Union against the provincial government of Xinjiang. Xinjiang was controlled by Sheng Shicai, a warlord who had taken power in a coup with Soviet support. Given its proximity to Central Asia, the Soviet Union viewed Xinjiang as a strategic region. Although Sheng Shicai had initially cooperated with the Soviets, he had become increasingly independent. The Soviet invasion was criticised by many as an act of aggression and strained relations between China and the Soviet Union. | Asia |
| War in Ningxia of 1934 | Sun Dianying Campaign | 20th | January 1934 | April 1934 | The War in Ningxia of 1934, also called the Sun Dianying Campaign, was a civil war for control over the Republic of China’s province of Ningxia, waged by the Chinese Muslim General Ma Hongbin and his ally, bandit leader Ma Bufang, against General Sun Dianying and his ally, the warlord Yan Xishan. The conflict began when Sun attempted to take control of Ningxia from Ma Hongbin, who had been appointed governor by the Nationalist government in Nanjing. Hongbin and Bufang were victorious, but the war resulted in the deaths of thousands of soldiers and civilians and the displacement of many more. | Asia |
| Soviet Invasion of Manchuria | Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation | 20th | 9 August 1945 | 20 August 1945 | The Soviet Invasion of Manchuria, also known as the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation, was a military campaign launched by the Soviet Union against the Japanese Kwantung Army in Manchuria, north-eastern China. It followed the Soviet Union’s declaration of war against the Empire of Japan and was part of the wider Soviet-Japanese War, which lasted until Japan formally surrendered. This was one of the largest and most complex military operations of WWII, involving more than 1.5 million Soviet troops, who faced a Japanese force of approximately 700,000. | Asia |
| 1959 Tibetan Uprising | Lhasa Uprising | 20th | 10 March 1959 | 23 March 1959 | The 1959 Tibetan Uprising, also known as the Lhasa Uprising, was a revolt against the Chinese government’s rule in Tibet opposing Chinese attempts to remove the Dalai Lama from power. Tibetans rose up against Chinese rule in various regions but were ultimately unsuccessful, and the Dalai Lama, along with tens of thousands of Tibetans were forced to flee into exile in India and other countries. The Chinese government established direct rule over Tibet, which lasts to this day and has been widely criticised for its policies and alleged human rights abuses towards Tibetans. | Asia |
| Invasion of Ambon | Ambonese War of Independence | 20th | 28 September 1950 | 5 November 1950 | The Invasion of Ambon, also known as the Ambonese War of Independence, was launched by the Indonesian Armed Forces to reclaim the island of Ambon and the surrounding regions from the self-proclaimed Republic of South Maluku (RMS). The RMS, which was formed in April 1950, claimed to be the legitimate government of the region and sought independence from Indonesia. The fighting continued for several months, with the Indonesian forces facing stiff resistance from the RMS guerrilla fighters. It ended in an Indonesian victory, and up to 5000 civilians were killed. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1547-1549 | Shwehti War | 16th | October 1547 | February 1549 | The Burmese-Siamese War, also called the Shwehti War, was fought between the Kingdom of Burma (present-day Myanmar) and the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand). The war was notable for introducing modern warfare to the region, particularly by the Burmese forces, who had recently acquired Portuguese matchlocks. The Burmese army attempted to expand their territory eastwards but was unable to overcome the Siamese defences, which maintained Siamese independence for 15 years. The war is also notable in Thai history for the death in battle of Siamese Queen Suriyothai on her war elephant. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1584-1593 | Nandric War | 16th | 1584 | 1593 | The Burmese-Siamese War of 1584-1593, also known as the Nandric War, took place in several phases. It was fought between the Burmese dynasty of Toungoo and the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand) over the control of the Malay Peninsula. The war was sparked by Toungoo’s expansionist policy and desire to control the lucrative trade routes in the region. The war ended with the Treaty of Nonthaburi which recognised Siamese control over several key cities in the Malay Peninsula, establishing a period of peace between the two kingdoms until 1765. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1593-1600 | Naresuan War | 16th, 17th | Early 1593 | May 1600 | The Burmese-Siamese War of 1593-1600, also called the Naresuan War, was a war between the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Siam and the Toungoo dynasty of Burma. The war was started by a Siamese campaign to ensure independence following subjugation after the war of 1584-1593. The war ended with a victory by Siam. According to legend, after years of defensive wars, King Naresuan had at the battle of Nong Sarai in 1593 challenged the Crown Prince of Burma, Mingyi Swa, to a one-on-one elephant battle, defeating the king-to-be in front of both armies. This event is celebrated annually in Thailand as Royal Thai Armed Forces Day. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1765-1767 | War of the Second Fall of Ayutthaya | 18th | 23 August 1765 | 7 April 1767 | The Burmese-Siamese War of 1765-1767, also called the War of the Second Fall of Ayutthaya, was fought between the Burmese Konbaung Dynasty and the Siamese Ayutthaya Kingdom. It is considered one of the bloodiest wars in Southeast Asian history and marked the end of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (present-day Thailand). The Burmese caused widespread destruction, capturing the Siamese royal family, and killing thousands. The war ended in a stalemate, as the Burmese were unable to consolidate their hold on Siam and were forced to retreat due to outbreaks of disease and growing resistance from the Siamese people. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1775-1776 | Maha Thiha Thura’s Invasion of Siam | 18th | October 1775 | September 1776 | The Burmese-Siamese War of 1775-1776, also called Maha Thiha Thura’s Invasion of Siam or Athi Wungyi’s War, was a conflict between the Burmese Konbaung Dynasty and the Thonburi Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand). The Burmese invaded northern Siam but were eventually defeated by defenders and forced to withdraw from Siamese territory. The war was one of the largest of the period and significantly impacted the region, depopulating large areas of Siam for decades to come. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1785-1786 | Nine Armies’ Wars | 18th | January 1785 | January 1786 | The Burmese-Siamese War of 1785-1786, also known as the Nine Armies’ Wars, was fought between the Konbaung Dynasty of Burma (present-day Myanmar) and the Thonburi Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand). It was one of several wars between the two over control of key cities on the Tenasserim coast during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Burmese launched an invasion with nine armies but were halted by Siamese forces, who launched a counteroffensive. The war ultimately ended in a stalemate, with neither side able to make significant gains. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1792-1794 | Siamese Invasion of Tavoy | 18th | March 1792 | March 1794 | The Burmese-Siamese War of 1792-1794, also called the Siamese Invasion of Tavoy, was fought between the Konbaung Dynasty of Burma (present-day Myanmar) and the Chakri Dynasty of Siam (present-day Thailand) over the town of Tavoy and the Tenasserim coast. Both sides suffered heavy losses and a peace treaty was signed. The Burmese ceded Tavoy and the Tenasserim Coast to Siam. The war marked a significant turning point in the history of Burma as it signalled the decline of the Konbaung Dynasty’s power and influence – and, in turn, the rise of Siam as a major regional power. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1809-1812 | Burmese Invasion of Thalang | 19th | June 1809 | January 1812 | The Burmese-Siamese War of 1809-1812, also called the Burmese Invasion of Thalang, was an armed conflict fought between Burma under the Konbaung Dynasty (present-day Myanmar) and Siam (present-day Thailand). The war was fought over control of the city of Thalang (present-day Phuket) and surrounding areas on the Tenasserim coast, which the Burmese occupied until the Siamese forces regained control. The conflict was the start of a period of hostility and border disputes between Burma and Siam, lasting several decades. | Asia |
| Burmese-Siamese War of 1849-1855 | Kengtung Wars | 19th | 1849 | May 1855 | The Burmese-Siamese War of 1849-1855, also known as the Kengtung Wars or the Siamese Invasions of Kengtung, was a series of conflicts fought between the Kingdom of Burma (present-day Myanmar) and the Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand) over the control of the Shan state of Kengtung (present-day Shan State, Myanmar). The war resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and the destruction of many towns and villages in Kengtung. It weakened both the Burmese and Siamese kingdoms, making them vulnerable to further foreign aggression. | Asia |
| Australian-Thai Peace Treaty | | 20th | 3 April 1946 | | The Australian–Thai Peace Treaty that ended World War II between Australia and Thailand was signed in Bangkok on 3 April 1946. The full title of the peace treaty is "Final Peace Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Siam". It was one of the first expressions of Australian sovereignty and independence in foreign affairs after the Statute of Westminster came into effect in 1942. | Asia |
| Yongle Emperor’s Campaigns Against the Mongols | Emperor Chengzu’s Northern Campaigns | 15th | 1410 | 1424 | Yongle Emperor’s Campaigns Against the Mongols, also known as Emperor Chengzu’s Northern Campaigns, were fought between the Chinese Ming dynasty under Emperor Yongle against the Mongol tribes of the northern steppes. The campaigns were part of Yongle’s efforts to consolidate his rule over China, expand his influence in Inner Asia, end Mongol raids on Ming territory, and ensure acknowledgement of Ming suzerainty. These wars cemented China’s dominance over the Mongol tribes of Inner Asia, but also depleted the Ming treasury, subsequently contributing to the decline of the dynasty in the later 16th century. | Asia |
| Tumu Crisis | Crisis of Tumu Fortress | 15th | 1 September 1449 | Unknown | The Tumu Crisis, also called the Crisis of Tumu Fortress, was a military conflict launched by the Mongol Empire against the Ming Dynasty of China, which culminated in a siege of the Tumu Fortress in northern China. The Ming general Wu Jin and his troops were captured during the siege and the Mongols demanded a ransom of 10,000 taels of silver and 10,000 rolls of silk for their release. The Tumu Crisis is regarded as a significant event in Ming history as it marked a turning point in the Ming-Mongol relationship demonstrating the decline of the Ming military and the growing power of the Mongols. | Asia |
| Defence of Jingshi | Defence of Beijing | 15th | 11 October 1449 | 17 October 1449 | The Defense of Jingshi, also known as the Defense of Beijing, was a military conflict between the Oirats, who were Mongolian tribes, and the Ming dynasty of China. The Oirats had been raiding Chinese settlements for years and, in response, the Ming emperor, Zhengtong, ordered a massive army to march north and confront the Oirats. The Ming emperor was captured during battle, leading to the defeat of the Ming dynasty. The crisis led to a change in Ming policy towards the Mongols, with the Ming dynasty adopting a more conciliatory approach towards their northern neighbours. | Asia |
| Chahar-Jurchen War | Chahar-Jin War | 17th | 1619 | 1634 | The Chahar-Jurchen War, also called the Chahar-Jin War, was a major conflict of the late Ming Dynasty in China, fought between the Chahar Mongols and the Jurchen-led Later Jin Dynasty as well as several other Mongol groups. It lasted for several years and was characterised by a series of raids, counter-raids, and sieges. Both sides suffered significant casualties, and ultimately the conflict ended in a stalemate. Weakening both sides, made them vulnerable to outside invasion. The war is significant in the history of the Mongols and the Jurchens, who were later known as the Manchu people. | Asia |
| Song-Đại Việt War | Lý-Song War | 11th | 1075 | 1077 | The Song-Đại Việt War, also known as the Lý-Song War, was a military conflict between the Lý Dynasty of Đại Việt (present-day Vietnam) and the Song Dynasty of China. The conflict began when the Song Dynasty attempted to assert its dominance over its southern neighbour by demanding tribute payments and military support for Song military campaigns. After two years of fighting and a stalemate, the two sides agreed to a peace treaty, which recognised Đại Việt as an independent state. It also established a system of regular tribute payments from Đại Việt to the Song Dynasty. | Asia |
| South Thailand Insurgency | Southern Thailand Conflict | 21st | 4 January 2004 | Ongoing | The South Thailand Insurgency, also known as the Southern Thailand Conflict, is an ongoing conflict concentrated in the predominantly Malay-Muslim provinces of southern Thailand. It is rooted in a long history of tensions between the Muslim population of the southern provinces and the Buddhist central government. Thousands of people have died due to allegations of human rights abuses committed by both sides, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced disappearances. Peace talks have been sporadic and largely ineffective. | Asia |
| 1999 East Timorese Crisis | East Timor Conflict | 20th, 21st | April 1999 | 20 May 2002 | The 1999 East Timorese Crisis, also known as the East Timor Conflict, was a political conflict in the nation of East Timor, rooted in decades-long tensions between the Indonesian government and the Timorese people over East Timor’s status as part of Indonesia. The Indonesian government’s referendum on East Timor’s future sparked mass violence with pro-Indonesian militias and military attacking, and carrying out human rights abuses against, the Timorese people. Peacekeeping forces led by the UN helped end the crisis, resulting in East Timor officially becoming Timor-Leste. | Asia |
| Japanese Invasion of Thailand | Thailand Campaign | 20th | 8 December 1941 | August 1945 | The Japanese Invasion of Thailand, also known as the Thailand Campaign, was a military campaign launched by the Empire of Japan during WWII. It resulted in the occupation of Thailand by Japanese forces and the establishment of a collaborationist government. The Japanese demanded the right to move their troops through Thailand to attack British-held Malaya (what is now peninsular Malaysia) and Burma (present-day Myanmar). The Thai government initially resisted but ultimately signed an armistice with Japan, allowing Japanese troops to enter and occupy Thailand. The Thai government also declared war on the United States and the United Kingdom. | Asia |
| Cambodian Rebellion of 1811-1812 | Cambodian Usurpation of 1811-1812 | 19th | 1811 | 1812 | The Cambodian Rebellion of 1811-1812, also called the Cambodian Usurpation of 1811-1812, took place after Ang Snguon had overhtrown his brother King Ang Chan II. Vietnamese military sent assistance to reinstate Ang Chan, resulting in a Siamese-Vietnamese standoff that lasted for four months until the general Nguyễn Văn Nhơn pulled his troops back to Saigon in January 1811. Ang Chan was enthroned again, but the Khmer Kingdom was weak, alternating as a vassal to the Siamese kings and the Vietnamese emperors. | Asia |
| Anglo-Siamese War | Anglo-Thai War | 17th | 1687 | 1688 | The Anglo-Siamese War, also called the Anglo-Thai War, was fought between the English East India Company and the Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand) due to a dispute over the demarcation of the border between Siam and British Malaya. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, which defined Siam’s borders with French Indochina and British Malaya, left the boundary between Siam and Malaya unclear, leading to disputes over control, and Siam officially declared war against the Company in August 1687. The conflict is one where a European power was forced to back down during the colonial era. Moreover, it established Siam as a buffer state between French Indochina and British Malaya. | Asia |
| Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 | Bangkok Treaty of 1909 | 20th | 10 March 1909 | | The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, also known as the Bangkok Treaty of 1909, was a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand). It ended the territorial disputes between the two countries, which were a result of French territorial expansion in Southeast Asia. Under the terms of the treaty, the British relinquished their claims to parts of north-eastern Siam, while Siam ceded certain Malay states which were subsequently placed under British protection. It also established a joint boundary commission to demarcate the border between Siam and British Malaya. | Asia |
| Kazakh-Dzungar Wars | Dzungarian Conquest of Central Asia | 17th | 1643 | 1756 | The Kazakh-Dzungar Wars, also called the Dzungarian Conquest of Central Asia, were a series of wars between the Kazakh Juzes and the Dzungar Khanate over control of the Central Asian steppe and its resources. The Dzungars were a confederation of Mongol tribes that had established a powerful empire in the 17th century, while the Kazakhs were a Turkic nomadic people forming a confederation of their own. The Dzungars were considered a threat by most of Central Asia, including the Russian Empire. Through several wars with the Qing Dynasty, the entire Dzungar population were ultimately decimated by the Qing army in the Dzungar genocide. | Asia |
| Mongolian Revolution of 1921 | People’s Revolution of 1921 | 20th | 1 March 1921 | 11 July 1921 | The Mongolian Revolution of 1921, also called the People’s Revolution of 1921 or the Outer Mongolian Revolution of 1921, was a conflict instigated by sentiment among Mongolians for independence from China and opposition to economic exploitation by Chinese and Russian interests. It resulted in the overthrow of the ruling party and establishment of the Mongolian People’s Republic, with military support from Bolsheviks from Russia. It was the beginning of a new era in Mongolian history, shifting from Chinese to Soviet influence. | Asia |
| Xinjiang Conflict | Uyghur-Chinese Conflict | 20th | 1930 | Ongoing | The Xinjiang Conflict, also known as the Uyghur-Chinese Conflict, is a decades-long conflict with periodic outbreaks of violence between the ethnic Uyghur population and the Chinese government in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The Chinese government has implemented various policies aimed at assimilating and controlling the Uyghur population, who are a predominantly Muslim Turkic ethnic group. Reports of mass detention, surveillance, forced labour, and serious human rights abuses against the Uyghur population have drawn international attention and condemnation. | Asia |
| Sino-Soviet Border Conflict | | 20th | 2 March 1969 | 11 September 1969 | The Sino-Soviet Border Conflict was a series of military clashes between the Soviet Union and China occurring primarily along the border between the two states. It was a result of tensions that had been building since the 1950s, fuelled by ideological and territorial disputes, as well as competition for leadership in the communist world. The conflict was eventually resolved through diplomatic efforts, and a ceasefire was declared leading to a return to the status quo. | Asia |
| Kumul Rebellion | | 20th | 4 April 1931 | 1934 | The Kumul Rebellion was a rebellion of Kumulik Uyghurs against the Kuomintang government in China. It was sparked by a combination of factors, including economic hardship, social inequality, and ethnic tensions. The Uyghur rebels, who were loyalists of the Kumul Khanate, sought to establish an independent Islamic state in the Xinjiang region by restoring the heir to the Khanate and overthrowing Jin Shuren, the governor of Xinjiang. The Chinese government launched a massive military campaign to crush the rebellion, which has since increased tensions between Uyghurs, other minority groups, and the Han Chinese majority. | Asia |
| Nathu La and Cho La Clashes | Sino-Indian War of 1967 | 20th | 11 September 1967 | 1 October 1967 | The Nathu La and Cho La Clashes, also called the Sino-Indian War of 1967, the Second Sino-Indian War, or the Indo-China War of 1967, were a series of border conflicts that took place between India and China in the Indian protectorate of the Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim, which was disputed by both nations. The clashes at Nathu La continued for several days, with both sides suffering casualties. On 1 October, another duel took place at Cho La that ended on the same day. The conflict was resolved through diplomatic channels, with both sides agreeing to withdraw their troops to their respective sides of the border. | Asia |
| Second Chōshū Expedition | Summer War | 19th | 7 June 1866 | Unknown | The Second Chōshū Expedition, also called the Summer War, was launched by the Japanese government against the Chōshū Domain, one of the most powerful domains in Japan at the time. The campaign was part of a larger effort to consolidate centralised authority in the hands of the Emperor and the Meiji government but failed disastrously, with the government forces suffering heavy losses. The signing of the Treaty of Bakan brought an end to the conflict, marking the end of the samurai era and the start of the modernisation of Japan. | Asia |
| Shimabara Rebellion | Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion | 17th | 17 December 1637 | 15 April 1638 | The Shimabara Rebellion, also known as the Shimabara-Amakusa Rebellion, was an uprising that occurred in the Shimabara Domain of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan. It was led by a group of discontented Japanese peasants and Catholic converts who were protesting the shogunate’s harsh policies on Christianity and the persecution of the lower classes. The shogunate responded by brutally killing thousands of rebels and civilians and tightening its restrictions on Christianity, making it illegal to practice the religion and expelling foreign missionaries from Japan. | Asia |
| Sino-British Joint Declaration | | 20th | 19 December 1984 | | The Sino-British Joint Declaration was a treaty signed between the United Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China which agreed the terms for the transfer of Hong Kong from British to Chinese control as of 1 July 1997. Under the terms set out in the treaty, Hong Kong would enjoy autonomy for 50 years after the transfer, under a ‘one country, two systems’ principle. The treaty also provided for the continued protection of the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong’s residents, including freedom of speech, assembly, and the press, as well as the right to a fair trial and the protection of private property. There is continued dispute over the treaty’s binding status. | Asia |
| Treaty of Tientsin | Treaty of Tianjin | 19th | 26 and 27 June 1858 | | The Treaty of Tientsin, also called the Treaty of Tianjin, was a series of documents signed between the Qing Dynasty of China and the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States on ending the Second Opium War. These treaties are counted among the unequal treaties signed during the Qing Dynasty as they expanded the access of foreign powers to Chinese markets and territory. They allowed foreign powers to establish their diplomatic missions in Beijing, opened additional Chinese ports to foreign trade, legalised the import of opium into China, and granted extraterritoriality to foreign citizens living in China. | Asia |
| Treaty of Aigun | Treaty of Aihun | 19th | May 1858 | | The Treaty of Aigun, also called the Treaty of Aihun, was a treaty between the Russian Empire and the Qing Dynasty of China. The treaty was signed in Aigun, located on the northern bank of the Amur River, and aimed to settle a border dispute between Russia and China. The treaty gave Russia the right to navigate the Amur River, ceded the left bank of the Amur River and the territory south of the Stanovoy Mountains from China to Russia, and established the Amur River as the border between the two states. Granting the Russian Empire vast new territories, it was one of the unequal treaties that China signed with foreign powers during the Qing Dynasty. | Asia |
| Munayṭirah Revolt | | 8th | 759 | 760 | The Munayṭirah Revolt was the second rebellion by Christian people living in Lebanon against the ruling Abbasid Caliphate. The rebellion took place in 759 out of the oppressive rule of the Abbasids over the Christians. The Christian inhabitants of Baalbek, Lebanon rebelled against the actions of a collector of kharaj, an Islamic tax, in the area. The Abbasid Caliphate responded with an ambush on the rebels and the rebellion ended in 760 where the Christian inhabitants fled from the villages and Arab tribes repopulated the previously Christian regions. | Asia |
| Operation Shield and Arrow | 2023 Gaza-Israel Clashes | 21st | 9 May 2023 | 13 May 2023 | Operation Shield and Arrow, also known as the 2023 Gaza-Israel clashes, started on 9 May 2023 with the killing of three suspected leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and civilians by the Israeli military, which was Israel’s response to rocket attacks from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad into Israel. The rocket attacks were triggered by the death of a hunger striker in an Israeli jail who had links to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Palestinian militants responded to Israeli airstrikes into Gaza with Operation Revenge of the Free. A ceasefire was reached on 13 May 2023. | Asia |
| Siege of Baghdad | | 13th | 1258 | 1258 | The Siege of Baghdad took place from 29 January to 10 February 1258 in Baghdad in present-day Iraq between the Mongol Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate. The Mongol leader, Möngke Khan, aimed to expand his empire into Mesopotamia and wanted Baghdad’s Abbasid Caliphate to submit to the Mongol Ilkhanate and pay tribute to them by supporting them with military in Persia. The Abbasids refused to submit, which resulted in Mongol forces and allied troops besieging the city until the Abbasids surrendered. | Asia |
| Khojaly Massacre | | 20th | 26 February 1992 | 26 February 1992 | The Khojaly Massacre occurred on 26 February 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijanis and Armenians who both laid claims to the region. Azerbaijani forces had blockaded Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, in February 1992, and Armenian forces made an ultimatum stating they would attack unless attacks on Stepanakert stopped. The ultimatum was ignored, and Armenian forces massacred Azerbaijani inhabitants of Khojaly, a town with a large Azerbaijani population in Nagorno-Karabakh that had an airport and was used as the base for attacking Stepanakert. | Asia |
| Baskinta Revolt | | 8th | 752 | 754 | The Baskinta Revolt was one of the Mount Lebanon revolts of 752 and 759. It began in 752 in the Beqaa region, in present-day Lebanon. The Mardaïtes, an early Christian group, revolted against the ruling Abbasid Caliphate due to the oppressive treatment of Lebanese Christians. The rebellion failed when the Mardaïte leader Baskinta got drunk and was attacked by Abbasid soldiers, who then reclaimed control of the Beqaa region. | Asia |
| Kharijite Rebellion | | 9th | 866 | 896 | The Kharijite Rebellion from 866 to 896 against the Abbasid Caliphate took place in Mosul and Diyar Rabi’a, Al-Jazira in upper Mesopotamia, corresponding to areas in present-day northern Iraq and Iran. The Kharijite was an early Islamic sect that had led previous uprisings and rebellions against Muslim governments and rejected the Abbasid’s rule and because of religious beliefs that rejected the legitimacy claims of ruling tribes and Ali’s descendants. The Abbasid Caliphate aimed to suppress the rebellion and eventually managed to restore their authority in the region. | Asia |
| Perso-Roman Peace Treaty of 363 | Treaty of Dura | 4th | 363 | 363 | The Perso-Roman Peace Treaty of 363, also known as the Treaty of Dura, was a treaty between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Sasanian Empire that concluded the Roman emperor Julian’s Persian expedition into Sassanid territory of Persia. After Julian’s death in the Battle of Samarra in June 363, his successor, Jovian, continued the Roman campaign but eventually petitioned the Sasanian King, Shapur II, for peace. The treaty’s terms included a thirty-year truce, territorial gains, territorial returns to the Sasanian Empire, and the end of the Roman alliance with Armenia. | Asia |
| Iraqi Civil War | | 21st | 22 February 2006 | 15 May 2008 | The Iraqi Civil War was fought between 22 February 2006 and 15 May 2008. It was fought between sectarian groups including Al Qaeda and the Mahdi Army, as well as Iraq’s Shiite-led government with a coalition of United States-led forces. In February 2006, the Sunni organisation, Al-Qaeda, bombed one of the holiest Shia Islam sites, the Al-Askari Shrine, which triggered the violence between Sunni and Shiite civilians and militias in Iraq. Shia militant attacks on Sunnis were in response to Al-Qaeda’s attacks on Shias, but clashes between rival Shiite groups also occurred. | Asia |
| Kalinga War | | 3rd BC | 261 BCE | 261 BCE | The Kalinga War took place in ancient India in 261 BCE and was fought between the Maurya Empire and the Kalinga kingdom, in present-day Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh, India. The Maurya Empire’s invasion of Kalinga was motivated by imperialistic ambitions. Due to its wealth and commerce, Kalinga was a threat to the Maurya Empire, and it had previously failed in its attempts to conquer the kingdom. The Maurya Empire was victorious in the war, however, its violence impacted its Emperor, Ashoka, who subsequently ended his aims for military expansion. | Asia |
| Battle of Ager Sanguinis | Battle of the Field of Blood | 12th | 28 June 1119 | 14 August 1119 | The Battle of Ager Sanguinis, also known as the Battle of the Field of Blood, was fought on 28 June 1119 between the Principality of Antioch, a Christian Crusader state in present-day Antakya, Turkey, and Ilghazi, the Artuqid ruler of Mardin, who ruled over Aleppo, Syria. The battle was fought over Ilghazi’s invasion of Antioch in response to the Crusaders’ capture of Azaz, Syria, which meant that Aleppo was at risk of attack. The battle between the two sides resulted in Ilghazi’s victory, but he did not advance further and only some regions in north-western Syria came under Muslim rule. | Asia |
| Hejaz-Nejd War | Second Saudi-Hashemite War | 20th | September 1924 | December 1925 | The Hejaz-Nejd War, also known as the Second Saudi-Hashemite War, was fought between the Saudi Sultan Abdulaziz of Nejd and the Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz from September 1924 until December 1925. The war followed a previous conflict between the two sides that took place in 1919. When Nejd pilgrims were denied access to holy places situated in Hejaz, war was sparked, and Nejd forces advanced into Hejaz of present-day Saudi Arabia. The war resulted in Abdulaziz’s victory and the creation of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz. | Asia |
| War in Abkhazia | | 20th | 20 May 1998 | 26 May 1998 | The War in Abkhazia began on 20 May 1998 in Abkhazia, which had declared itself independent from Georgia in 1992. War was triggered by an insurgency led by ethnic Georgians against the Abkhazian government. Prior to the war, Georgian paramilitary forces had attacked the Abkhazian military and violent clashes had occurred during local elections in which Georgian refugees could not participate. Abkhazia responded to the uprising with an offensive, leading Georgian residents fled. Two cease-fires were signed, but fighting continued until the Georgian guerrillas were forced out on 26 May 1998. | Asia |
| Maoist Insurgency in Turkey | People’s War in Turkey | 20th, 21st | 24 April 1972 | Ongoing | The Maoist Insurgency in Turkey, also known as the People’s War in Turkey, is an ongoing low-level insurgency that began on 24 April 1972 between Maoist insurgent groups and the Turkish government. It mainly began in the Tunceli Province of eastern Turkey where the population aimed to avenge the repression of the Dersim rebellion. The Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist aimed to wage a people’s war, and the insurgency has consisted of militant and guerrilla attacks by groups such as the Liberation Army of the Workers and Peasants of Turkey (TİKKO) and People's Partisan Forces (PHG). | Asia |
| Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency | | 20th, 21st | 18 May 1967 | Ongoing | The Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency is a conflict that began on 18 May 1967 between Maoist groups known as Naxalites or Naxals and the Indian government. The insurgency has mainly taken place in what is called the Red Corridor, also known as the Red Zone, a region in eastern, central, and southern India. The Naxalites view the insurgency as similar to a people’s war against the government, aiming for improvements in land rights and jobs for agricultural labourers and the poor. India’s government considers Naxalism as a threat to the country’s internal security. The insurgency is ongoing but has diminished steadily over the years. | Asia |
| War over Water | Battle over Water | 20th | November 1964 | May 1967 | The War over Water, also known as the Battle over Water, was fought from November 1964 to May 1967 between Israel and the Arab states of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. The war was over control of the water source of the Jordan River drainage basin. Small-scale skirmishes had occurred since 1949 and led to the Jordan Valley Unified Water Plan. The war was triggered in response to Israel pumping water from the Sea of Galilee, also called Lake Tiberias or Kinneret, and the aim of the Arab states to divert the Jordan River’s headwaters. Conflict ensued on the Israel-Syria border, and the war is considered to be a contributing factor to the Six-Day War that began in June 1967. | Asia |
| Mughal-Portuguese War | | 20th | 1692 | 1693 | The Mughal-Portuguese War from 1692 to 1693 was fought in India between the Mughal Empire and the Portuguese Empire. The war began in retaliation to the Portuguese governor’s favour of the Marathas when he gave shelter to Maratha families. One of the refuges was the fort of Sidhgarh, which was captured by the Mughals. When the Portuguese denied the Mughals entry to their territory, they were attacked by the Mughals and other allied enemies of the Portuguese. Due to concerns about trade with Europe, the Mughal Emperor eventually ordered the war to end and for Portuguese prisoners to be released. | Asia |
| Anglo-Mughal War | Child’s War | 17th | 1686 | 1690 | The Anglo-Mughal War, also known as Child’s War, was fought between the English East India Company and the Mughal Empire between 1686 and 1690. The war was initiated when the Mughal Emperor broke off trading agreements with the East India Company due to their governor in London, Sir Josiah Child, intervening with the negotiations made by another English governor in Bengal. In response, Child declared war against the Mughal Empire, which ensued while various negotiations took place. The war resulted in the East India Company’s surrender, and a large fine was subsequently paid to the Mughal Empire. | Asia |
| 14 July Revolution | 1958 Iraqi Military Coup | 20th | 14 July 1958 | 14 July 1958 | The 14 July Revolution, also known as the 1958 Iraqi Military Coup, took place on 14 July 1958 in Iraq where the ruling Hashemite dynasty was overthrown by Iraqi Free Officers. The increase of Pan-Arab nationalism and frustration over policies, economic issues, Western influence in Iraq, and Iraq’s King Faisal II’s support of the British during the Suez Crisis, led to the formation of opposition groups and the subsequent coup. Iraqi Free Officers led the coup, seized Baghdad, and executed members of the Hashemite dynasty, which resulted in the establishment of the Iraqi Republic. | Asia |
| Treaty of Yandabo | | 19th | 24 February 1826 | 24 February 1826 | The Treaty of Yandabo was a peace treaty that was signed on 24 February 1826 between the Burmese Empire and the British Empire’s East India Company. The treaty was signed in Yandabo, a village in central Burma, and was the result of the British Empire’s victory in the First Anglo-Burmese War. The treaty concerned the territory of kingdoms that did not give their consent to the treaty, and the Burmese Empire was forced to agree to it without negotiation. The treaty set out that Burma would cede territory to the British, renounce their claims to Assam and Manipur, and pay an indemnity in sterling. | Asia |
| Yemenite War of 1979 | Second Yemenite War | 20th | 24 February 1979 | 19 March 1979 | The Yemenite War of 1979, also known as the Second Yemenite War, took place from 24 February to 19 March 1979. It was a conflict between the Yemen Arab Republic of North Yemen and the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen of South Yemen. Hostility between North and South Yemen increased after the North Yemen president was killed, with the head of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen being killed days later. South Yemen troops advanced into the north, but due to aid from Saudi Arabia and the United States, North Yemen was able to halt the advances. The war ended with a ceasefire, and the signing of the Kuwait Agreement of 1979. | Asia |
| Second Anglo-Burmese War | | 19th | 5 April 1852 | 20 January 1853 | The Second Anglo-Burmese War took place from 5 April 1852 to 20 January 1853 and was fought between the Burmese Empire and the British Empire. The British sent Commodore George Lambert to Burma due to a governor’s arrest of two British captains whom he aimed to extort money from. Burma removed the governor, but his successor refused to meet Lambert, which provoked a naval blockade and an ultimatum, which Burma did not respond to. Warfare ensued while a Burmese revolution took place. The war resulted in a British victory with more Burmese territory being annexed to British India, with the British annexing Pegu, present-day Bago, Myanmar. | Asia |
| First Anglo-Burmese War | First Burma War | 19th | 5 March 1824 | 24 February 1826 | The First Anglo-Burma War, also known as the First Burma War, took place from 5 March 1824 to 24 February 1826 between the British Empire’s East India Company and the Burmese Empire. Burma was angered by raids in their recently acquired territory, Arakan, present-day Rakhine State, and the British were angered by Burma’s territorial gains near East India Company-occupied Chittagong. The British declared war with the aim of expanding their influence as well as to limit French influence in Burma. The war ended with a treaty that agreed for Burma to cede territory to the British and pay an indemnity. | Asia |
| Pompeiian-Parthian Invasion of 40 BCE | | 1st BC | 40 BCE | 38 BCE | The Pompeiian-Parthian Invasion of 40 BCE refers to the Pompeiian and Parthian Empire’s invasion of eastern Roman territory that took place between 40 and 38 BCE. The Parthians and Romans had historically been at tension with one another, with Julius Caesar’s unrealized plans of an invasion of Parthia and the Roman defeat of the Parthian and Pompeiian alliance in the Liberators’ Civil War. The outcome of the civil war led the Parthians and Pompeiians to invade Roman territory in Asia Minor. The war eventually resulted in a Roman victory that drove the Parthians out of Syria. | Asia |
| Revolt of Babylon | | 7th BC | 626 BCE | 616 BCE | The Revolt of Babylon in 626 BC refers to Nabopolassar’s war of independence that aimed to gain control over Babylonia against the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The revolt was the last in a series of rebellions by the Babylonians against the Assyrian rule over Babylonia that sought to restore independence. The Assyrians fought against the revolt, however, by 22 or 23 November, Nabopolassar was given the title of King of Babylon, resulting in Babylonia becoming an independent kingdom. The Assyrians made further campaigns into Babylonia but ultimately lost their reign over the kingdom. | Asia |
| Hamidian Massacres | Armenian Massacres | 19th | 1894 | 1897 | The Hamidian Massacres, also known as the Armenian Massacres, refer to the Ottoman Empire’s massacre of Armenians and took place between 1894 and 1897. The Ottoman Empire was in a state of decline and Sultan Abdul Hamid II aimed to retain the empire’s imperialist control. At the same time, there was a rise of Armenian nationalistic sentiment. The Armenians had approached foreign powers in regards to reforms to how they were treated within the Ottoman Empire, which the Ottomans saw as treachery and against Sharia law. | Asia |
| Bangladesh Genocide | Gonohotta | 20th | 25 March 1971 | 16 December 1971 | The Bangladesh Genocide, also known as the Gonohotta, began on 25 March 1971 in East Pakistan, present-day Bangladesh. The West-Pakistan-dominated Pakistani government began a military campaign, Operation Searchlight, on 25 March 1971 that aimed to suppress Bengali self-determination in East Pakistan and to neutralize the Bengali independence movement with the belief that the citizens of East Pakistan were second-class citizens. The mass killings and rapes of Bengalis were carried out by the Pakistan army and ended on 16 December 1971. | Asia |
| Pakistani Instrument of Surrender | | 20th | 16 December 1971 | 16 December 1971 | The Pakistani Instrument of Surrender of 16 December 1971 was a treaty signed in Dacca, present-day Bangladesh between India, Pakistan, and the Provisional Government of Bangladesh. The treaty agreed for the surrender of the Pakistan Armed Forces in Bangladesh, thereby ending the Bangladesh Liberation War between West Pakistan and East Pakistan, present-day Bangladesh, as well as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The Pakistan Eastern Command would come under the control of Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, joint-commander of the Bangladesh-India Allied Forces. | Asia |
| Magadha-Anga War | | 6th BC | 540 BCE | 535 BCE | The Magadha-Anga War took place between 540 and 535 BCE between the Anga Kingdom and the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha, an empire of ancient India. The war was fought to avenge King Brahmadatta of Anga’s defeat of the father of King Bimbisara of Magadha, who had been an older contemporary of Brahmadatta. The war resulted in victory for Bimbisara, with Anga being annexed to the Magadha Empire. Bimbisara’s son, Ajatashatru, was appointed governor. | Asia |
| Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 | Second Kashmir War | 20th | 8 April 1965 | 23 September 1965 | The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, also known as the Second Kashmir War, was fought between Pakistan and India, from April to September 1965. The war was caused by the border disputes between India and Pakistan since the partition of British India. Pakistan believed Jammu and Kashmir rightfully belonged to them due to this union territory being a majority-Muslim state. War was triggered by Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar in Indian-ruled Jammu and Kashmir which aimed to create an insurgency. The war fought in Kashmir and along the border of India and Pakistan, ended with a ceasefire after foreign powers intervened. | Asia |
| 1913 Ottoman Coup d’état | Raid on the Sublime Porte | 20th | 23 January 1913 | 23 January 1913 | The 1913 Ottoman Coup d’état, also known as the Raid of the Sublime Porte, took place on 23 January 1913. The coup was led by the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) against the Freedom and Accord Party of the Ottoman government. The CUP’s aim was to regain power from their rivals, the Freedom and Accord Party. The coup was triggered when the Turkish people and the CUP were outraged by the demand to give the city of Adrianople, present-day Edirne, to Bulgaria. During the coup, the Ottoman Empire’s Minister of War, Nazım Pasha, was assassinated, and the CUP forced the Grand Vizier, Kâmil Pasha, to resign, after which it took control of the empire. | Asia |
| 2017 Iraqi-Kurdish Conflict | Kirkuk Crisis | 21st | 15 October 2017 | 27 October 2017 | The 2017 Iraqi-Kurdish conflict, also known as the Kirkuk Crisis, was fought from 15 October to 27 October 2017 between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq’s central government. The Iraq central government invaded territory, including the oil-rich Kirkuk, in the Kurdistan Region because the Kurdistan Regional Government had rejected their demands for the territory to be returned. The war came after a Kurdish referendum vote for independence from Iraq that included the disputed areas. The conflict resulted in the Iraqi government capturing 20% of the Kurdistan Region, including Kirkuk. | Asia |
| Siege of Lachish | | 8th BC | 701 BCE | 701 BCE | The Siege of Lachish of 701 BCE was the Neo-Assyrian Empire’s siege on Lachish, a town in the Kingdom of Judah, present-day Israel. Several kingdoms had stopped paying tribute to Sennacharib, the Assyrian king, and in response, the king declared a campaign to conquer the rebelling kingdoms. When King Hezekiah of Judah rebelled against Assyrian control by ceasing to pay Judah’s taxes to Sennacharib, the Assyrians conquered the walled city of Lachish while the kind was on his way to Jerusalem. | Asia |
| Treaty of Lahore | | 19th | 9 March 1846 | 1846 | The Treaty of Lahore was a peace treaty that was signed on 9 March 1846 following the British East India Company’s defeat of the Sikh Empire in the First Anglo-Sikh War. Unrest in Lahore and escalated tension between the British and Sikhs had led the British to declare war on the Sikhs. The treaty’s terms agreed for the Sikhs to surrender valuable territory to the British, and for the Lahore Durbar, the Sikh court of Lahore, to pay an indemnity. This they could not raise, and so further territory was ceded to the British. | Asia |
| Treaty of Turkmenchay | | 19th | 21 February 1828 | | The Treaty of Turkmenchay was agreed between the Qajar dynasty of Iran and the Russian Empire in Turkmenchay, a city in present-day Iran. The treaty followed the Russo-Persian War of 1826 to 1828 which Russia had won, with Russia now threatening to occupy Tehran unless the treaty was signed. The terms of the treaty were for Persia, present-day Iran, to cede to Russia the Erivan Khanate, Nakhchivan Khanate, and remaining Talysh Khanate, corresponding to areas in present-day Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. | Asia |
| Insurgency in Balochistan | | 20th, 21st | 1948 | Ongoing | The Insurgency in Balochistan is an ongoing nationalist revolt that began in July 1948 between Baloch insurgents and the Pakistani and Iranian government in the Balochistan region in southwestern Pakistan, south-eastern Iran and southern Afghanistan. Five insurgencies have occurred since 1948. The Balochistan separatists aim for autonomy and to have more control over the region’s resources due to resent regarding economic inequality and neglect in education, employment, and development in the Baloch region. | Asia |
| First Intifada | | 20th | 8 December 1987 | 13 September 1993 | The First Intifada was an uprising against Israeli repression of Palestinians in Palestinian Territories and Israel that took place from 8 December 1987 to 13 September 1993. Israel’s conquests during the Six-Day War, along with violence from Israeli soldiers, rising unemployment, and deportations of Palestinians, increased Palestinian nationalism and discontent. The Palestinians wanted Israel to withdraw from territory it had occupied since 1967, to lift curfews and checkpoints, and to create a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 1993, a peace process was agreed in the Oslo Accords. | Asia |
| Second Intifada | Al-Aqsa Intifada | 21st | 28 September 2000 | 8 February 2005 | The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, was the second Palestinian uprising against Israel. It began on 28 September 2000 following Israel’s refusal to uphold the Oslo Accords and Camp David Summit’s failure to agree on an Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The Palestinians wanted to improve the post-Oslo conditions through the Intifada. Israeli politician Ariel Sharon’s visit to a holy site in Jerusalem triggered the uprising, which was more violent than the previous Intifada. It ended on 8 February 2005 with a ceasefire and the Sharm El Sheikh Summit of 2005. | Asia |
| 1978 South Lebanon Conflict | Operation Litani | 20th | 14 March 1978 | 21 March 1978 | The 1978 South Lebanon Conflict, also known as Operation Litani in Israel, was a conflict that took place from 14 to 21 March 1978 between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. Israel invaded southern Lebanon in retaliation to the Coastal Road Massacre on 11 March 1978, which was in response to ongoing strife between Israel and Palestine. Israel aimed to force Palestinian militants away from the border and out of south Lebanon. On 19 March 1978, the United Nations Security Council created a resolution that demanded Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon. | Asia |
| 1929 Palestine Riots | Buraq Uprising | 20th | 23 August 1929 | 29 August 1929 | The 1929 Palestine Riots, also known as the Buraq Uprising, took place from 23 to 29 August 1929 in the British Mandate of Palestine. The riots were due to escalating tensions between Muslims and Jews over a long dispute about access to the Western Wall, a holy site in Jerusalem. Arabs were concerned about their economic future and the effects of increasing Jewish immigration. Rumours that Zionists aimed to seize control of holy sites for both religions triggered the riots, with British police intervening. During the riots, looting, burning and attacks of villages took place, as well as the 1929 Hebron Massacre. | Asia |
| Second Nagorno-Karabakh War | 44-Day War | 21st | 27 September 2020 | 10 November 2020 | The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, also known as the 44-Day War, took place from 27 September 2020 to 10 November 2020 and was fought between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the breakaway state of Artsakh. The war concerned Armenia and Azerbaijan’s disputes over control of the de facto independent Nagorno-Karabakh region. Increasing violations of the ceasefire of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War led to the second war, in which Azerbaijan aimed for full control of the region. The war resulted with Azerbaijan, allied with Turkey, reclaiming territory, and led to the establishment of the Lachin corridor. | Asia |
| First Nagorno-Karabakh War | | 20th | 20 February 1988 | 12 May 1994 | The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, also known as the 44-Day War, took place from 27 September 2020 to 10 November 2020 and was fought between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the breakaway state of Artsakh. The war concerned Armenia and Azerbaijan’s disputes over control of the de facto independent Nagorno-Karabakh region. Increasing violations of the ceasefire of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War led to the second war, in which Azerbaijan aimed for full control of the region. The war resulted in Azerbaijan, allied with Turkey, reclaiming territory, and led to the establishment of the Lachin corridor. | Asia |
| Conquest of Ha’il | Second Saudi-Rashidi War | 20th | 1921 | 2 November 1921 | The Conquest of Ha’il, also known as the Second Saudi-Rashidi War, took place in 1921 and was part of the political and military campaign of the Unification of Saudi Arabia. It was fought by Saudi forces under Ibn Saud against the Rashidi-ruled Emirate of Jabal Shammar, also known as the Emirate of Ha’il. The war occurred in Ha’il, the Emirate of Jabal Shammar’s capital, which is a city in present-day Saudi Arabia. The British supported the Saudis in the Conquest of Ha’il, which was conquered by 2 November 1921 and subsequently became part of the Sultanate of Nejd. | Asia |
| Malabar Rebellion | Moplah Rebellion | 20th | 20 August 1921 | 1922 | The Malabar Rebellion, also known as the Moplah Rebellion, began on 20 August 1921 in Malabar, Kerala, British India, present-day India. The indigenous Mappila Muslims revolted against the British East India Company and the Jemni upper classes. Resentment had been caused by the introduction of Western juridical systems, in which all land became the private property of the Jemni upper class, so Mappilas who were agricultural labourers lost formal or customary rights. Mappilas forcibly converted Hindus to Islam during the rebellion, which ended when the British imposed martial law. | Asia |
| Constitutional Revolution of Iran | | 20th | 1905 | 1911 | The Constitutional Revolution of Iran occurred from 1905 to December 1911. Protests against tariff collections in order to repay a Russian loan for a royal tour marked the beginning of the revolution in 1905. The rebels demanded a parliament out of dissatisfaction with the Qajar dynasty’s rule. A constitution was created, but the next shah opposed it and a civil war between the shah and the reformers ensued. In 1909, the constitution was re-established, but a year later, there was conflict within the revolutionary movement. | Asia |
| Turkish-Armenian War | Eastern Front | 21st | 24 September 2020 | 2 December 2020 | The Turkish-Armenian War, also known as the Eastern Front in Turkey, took place between 24 September and 2 December 1920. The war was fought between the First Republic of Armenia and the Turkish National Movement in reaction to the Treaty of Sèvres, in which the Republic of Armenia was given areas of eastern Anatolia as reparation for Ottoman persecution of Armenians during World War I. Turkish Nationalists crossed into Armenia and captured territory in a surprise offensive, a victory that was followed by the Soviet Union's occupation and annexation of Armenia. | Asia |
| Farhud | | 20th | 1 June 1941 | 2 June 1941 | Farhud was a pogrom that was carried out by soldiers and policemen who supported the pro-Nazi government Rashid Ali against the Jewish population of Baghdad, Iraq, between 1 and 2 June 1941. The violence began when Rashid Ali’s pro-Nazi government of Iraq was defeated by the British in the Anglo-Iraqi War, and allegations were made that Iraqi Jews had aided the British. There was a history of violence against Jews living in Iraq prior to the Farhud and antisemitic propaganda was broadcast. The violence stopped when British troops intervened with a curfew and shot violators on sight. | Asia |
| Syria-Lebanon Campaign | Operation Exporter | 20th | 8 June 1941 | 14 July 1941 | The Syria-Lebanon campaign, also known as Operation Exporter, refers to the British Empire’s invasion of Vichy France-controlled Syria and Lebanon during World War II. The campaign took place between 8 June and 14 July 1941. The British invasion sought to prevent the Axis powers from using Syria and Lebanon as bases for attacks on Egypt, as the Vichy admiral François Darlan had already granted German aircrafts access to their airfields in Syria for attacks against the British in Iraq. The French called for an armistice, leading to the Armistice of Saint Jean d’Acre ending the campaign. | Asia |
| Vadda Ghalughara | Sikh Genocide | 18th | 5 February 1762 | April 1762 | The Vadda Ghalughara, also known as the Sikh Genocide, was the mass murder of unarmed Sikhs by the Afghan forces of the Durrani Empire. It began on 5 February 1762 in India’s Punjab region. This came after the Sikhs had been oppressed by the Durrani governor of Lahore, various conflicts between the Muslim forces of the Afghan Durranis and Sikhs had taken place, as well as the massacre of Chhota Ghalughara. The Durrani leader saw the Sikhs as a threat after they attacked Durrani forces in 1761 to liberate women captives. The Durrani Empire aimed to wipe out the Sikhs in the region in order to secure territorial Afghani control, and it is estimated that between 10,000 and 50,0000 Sikhs were killed. | Asia |
| Sino-Indian War | Indo-China War of 1962 | 20th | 20 October 1962 | 20 November 1962 | The Sino-Indian War, also known as the Indo-China War of 1962, was fought from 20 October to 20 November 1962 between India and China over border disputes between the two countries since the partition of India in 1947. Tensions between China and India were exacerbated by skirmishes along the border after the uprising in Tibet, and India’s rejection of China’s diplomatic settlements from 1960 to 1962. China invaded the disputed territory and defeated Indian troops, but foreign powers supported India, which led China to retreat from most of the invaded regions and announce a ceasefire. | Asia |
| 1921 Persian coup d’état | 3 Esfand 1299 coup d’état | 20th | 21 February 1921 | 21 February 1921 | The 1921 Persian coup d’état, known as 3 Esfand 1299 coup d’état in Iran, took place in Tehran in present-day Iran on 21 February 1921. The ruling Qajar dynasty was corrupt and inefficient and there were various levels of unrest in Tehran. The Persian Cossack Brigade, led by the Iranian officer Reza Khan, launched the coup against the Qajar shah in response to unpaid salaries. The rebels were supported by Britain in their coup, as the foreign power was concerned by the Qajar government’s rule of Persia. The coup resulted in the government’s dissolution and Khan became minister of war. | Asia |
| Al-Wadiah War | | 20th | 27 November 1969 | 6 December 1969 | Al-Wadiah War took place in al-Wadiah, Saudi Arabia, between 27 November to 6 December 1969. The war was fought between the People’s Republic of South Yemen and Saudi Arabia over territorial disputes in which each side laid claim to al-Wadiah. Tensions between the South Yemen and Saudi Arabian governments were heightened due to the former’s support of overthrowing the Gulf monarchies, and the latter’s support of South Yemeni rebels. South Yemen aimed to control al-Wadiah and seized it, but the war ended ultimately with Saudi Arabia pushing back the Yemenis and reconquering al-Wadiah. | Asia |
| Treaty of Zuhab | Treaty of Qasr-e Shirin | 17th | 17 May 1639 | 17 May 1639 | The Treaty of Zuhab, also known as the Treaty of Qasar-e Shirin, was signed on 17 May 1639 by the Safavid and Ottoman empires and was one of many treaties to solve border disputes. The Treaty of Zuhab was signed in order to end the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1623-1639 which resulted in a victory for the Ottoman Empire. The treaty’s terms agreed on territory in West Asia that was formerly under Safavid control to be split between the Ottomans and Safavids. Eastern territories remained with the Safavid Empire, but Western Georgia and Western Armenia were transferred to the Ottoman Empire. | Asia |
| Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828 | Nicholas I's Persian War | 19th | 19 July 1826 | 22 February 1828 | The Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828, also known as Nicholas I's Persian War, was fought between the Russian Empire and Persia, present-day Iran, after a previous war between the two in 1813. The Qajar shah was relying on foreign subsidies and was advised and supported by Britain to reconquer territory he had previously lost to Russia after the Treaty of Gulistan. The Qajar prince, Abbas Mirza, invaded Khanates under Russian rule, but Russia counter-invaded. The war resulted in a Russian victory with Persia handing over khanates as well as paying an indemnity and allowing Russia free trade in Persia. | Asia |
| Treaty of Akhal | Akhal-Khorasan Boundary Convention | 19th | 21 September 1881 | | The Treaty of Akhal, also known as the Akhal-Khorasan Boundary Convention, was signed on 21 September 1881 by the Qajar dynasty of Persia, present-day Iran, and Imperial Russia. It took place in Akhal, a region north of Khorasan. The treaty officially recognized the Russian Empire’s annexation of Khwarazm, which corresponds largely with present-day Turkmenistan. Imperial Russia’s policy of territorial expansion resulted in conquering regions in Central Asia, which led to the Akhal Treaty being enforced and the transfer of Persian territory to Russian control. | Asia |
| Pink’s War | | 20th | 9 March 1925 | 1 May 1925 | Pink’s War was fought between 9 March 1925 and 1 May 1925 between the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Mahsud tribe in South Waziristan, a region that corresponds with present-day Lower South Waziristan District, Upper South Waziristan District and southern Waziristan, Pakistan. The RAF acted independently from the army and navy in Pink’s war, which is named after an RAF officer. They conducted air operations against the Mahsud people in order to defend themselves against raids and attacks from the tribesmen. The Mahsud tribesmen sought peace, which ended the war. | Asia |
| First Saudi-Rashidi War | Battles over Qasim | 20th | 1903 | 1907 | The First Saudi-Rashidi War, also known as the Battles over Qasim, took place between 1903 and 1907 between Saudi loyalist forces of the new Sultanate of Nejd and the Rashidi-ruled Emirate of Ha’il. The Saudis aimed to expand their territory in the Arabian peninsula and in 1902 Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, known in the West as Ibn Saud, had seized Riyadh and become the new emir. Saud was supported by Britain, whereas the Rashidi emirate was supported by Germany and backed by Ottoman troops. The war consisted of many battles and ended with a Saudi victory once they seized the al-Qassim region. | Asia |
| First Saudi-Hashemite War | First Nejd-Hejaz War | 20th | July 1918 | 4 July 1919 | The First Saudi-Hashemite War, also known as the First Nejd-Hejaz War, was fought between 1918 and 1919 between Ibn Saud of the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa and the Hashemites of the Kingdom of Hejaz over power in the Arabian peninsula. The conflict was triggered after Sharif Husayn of Hejaz refused Ibn Saud’s demands for negotiation after he laid claim to the Arab peninsula and declared himself king. The war began with Al-Khurma’s emir switching from Hashemite to Saudi rule, and concluded with the British issuing an ultimatum to the Saudis to stop their campaign against Hejaz, which Ibn Saud submitted to. | Asia |
| Ikhwan Revolt | | 20th | 1927 | 1930 | The Ikhwan Revolt was an uprising that took place between 1927 and 1930 and was led by the Ikhwan, a religious militia of tribespeople, who had been part of King of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud’s, army. As traditionalists, they revolted against his introduction of modern innovations and for sending his son to Egypt. The revolt took place in the British protectorate of Transjordan, present-day Jordan, Mandatory Iraq which was under British Administration, and the British protectorate Sheikhdom of Kuwait, present-day Kuwait. The Ikhwan surrendered to the British when they were surrounded in Kuwait in January 1930. | Asia |
| Treaties of Erzurum | | 19th | 29 July 1823 | 31 May 1847 | The Treaties of Erzurum were signed in 1823 and 1847 by the Ottoman and Persian empires to solve disputes about territorial boundaries following the victory of Persia, also referred to as Iran, in the 1821 Battle of Erzurum. The 1823 treaty of Erzurum confirmed a border between the two empires that had been established in 1639, as well as terms relating to taxes, trade, and access to holy sites. Another round of border incidents between Persia and the Ottoman Empire increased tensions again. Foreign powers tried to mediate between the two sides and a second treaty was signed in 1847. | Asia |
| Anglo-Persian War | Anglo-Iranian War | 19th | 1 November 1856 | 4 April 1857 | The Anglo-Persian War, also known as the Anglo-Iranian War, took place from 1 November 1856 to 4 April 1857 between the United Kingdom and Qajar-ruled Iran, or the state of Persia. On 25 October 1856 Iran conquered Herat in Western Afghanistan, which had been under Iran’s control until Afghanistan’s independence. The invasion also aimed to compensate for Iran’s defeat in the Russo-Persian Wars. The invasion violated the Anglo-Persian Treaty, and so Britain retaliated with war on Iran. The conflict ended with the Treaty of Paris, in which Iran withdrew from Herat. | Asia |
| Anglo-Manipur War | | 19th | 31 March 1891 | 27 April 1891 | The Anglo-Manipur War was fought from 31 March to 27 April 1891 between the British Empire and the Kingdom of Manipur when the military commander Senapati Tikendrajit began to take leadership and aimed to stop the British influence in Manipur. Britain allied with the Maharajah of Manipur, Tikendrajit’s brother, and seeing Tikendrajit’s leadership as a threat, they aimed to remove him and restore the king’s power in Manipur. Tikendrajit led a successful coup and when British demands were rejected, British India declared war, which ended with the Khongjom Battle and British victory. | Asia |
| Aden Emergency | Radfan Uprising | 20th | 1963 | 1967 | The Aden Uprising, or the Radfan Uprising, occurred in The Aden Protectorate in the present-day Republic of Yemen. The National Liberation Front (South Yemen) and the Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen were rival organisations that rebelled against the British Protectorate known as The Federation of South Arabia, leading to the collapse of The Aden Protectorate and British rule. The rebel fighters held anti-British sentiment influenced by Arab nationalism. The British wanted to maintain control of Aden as an air and naval base. It was also a safeguard for accessing oil supplies. | Asia |
| Al-Wathbah Uprising | | 20th | 1948 | 1948 | The Al-Wathbah Uprising happened in January 1948 in Baghdad, triggered by secret plans between the British-installed Iraqi monarchy and Britain to renew the 1930 Anglo-Iraqi Treaty. The treaty agreed to protect the Iraqi monarchy, tie Iraq to British interests and unrestricted movement of British troops in Iraq. Along with widespread poverty, rigid class barriers and dissatisfied workers, the treaty provoked an uprising among workers, students, impoverished people, and political parties. The uprising resulted in a new government and the strengthening of the Iraqi Communist Party. | Asia |
| Second Syrian War | | 3rd BC | 260 BC | 253 BC | The Second Syrian War occurred between 260 and 253 BC in Coele, Syria, present-day Israel. Of all the Hellenistic wars, it is possibly the most badly documented. The estimated causes for the conflict were Antiochus II of the Seleucid Empire’s aiming to avenge losses in The First Syrian War and expand his empire into Syria under Ptolemy II’s control. The Seleucids allied with Macedonia, who wanted to expel Ptolemy II from the Aegean, and attacked Ptolemy’s outposts in Asia. Ptolemy lost territory while the Seleucid Empire regained territory. The war ended with Antiochus’s marriage to Ptolemy’s daughter. | Asia |
| Third Syrian War | Laodicean War | 3rd BC | 246 BC | 241 BC | The Third Syrian War, also known as the Laodicean War, was instigated following a debate over power and succession after the death of the Seleucid Empire’s leader Antiochus. The mothers of Antiochus’s sons, Laodice and Berenice Syra, each claimed that their son was his heir. Laodice’s supporters assassinated Berenice and her son, which led to Berenice’s brother and leader of Ptolemaic Egypt, Ptolemy III’s, declaration of war on Seleucus II, Laodice’s son and new heir to the Seleucid Empire. Peace was agreed when Ptolemy III was given new territories on the Northern coast of Syria. | Asia |
| Fourth Syrian War | | 3rd BC | 219 BC | 217 BC | The Fourth Syrian War was part of a series of conflicts. It happened between 219 and 217 BC, between the Seleucid Empire and the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Antiochus III of the Seleucid Empire aimed to regain his empire’s lost territories from previous wars and extend his empire into Syria and Egypt. Antiochus invaded and recaptured various cities before engaging Ptolemy IV in the Battle of Raphia for Egypt. The war resulted in victory for the Ptolemaic Kingdom, which maintained its control over Coele-Syria, an area in present-day Syria and Lebanon. | Asia |
| Fifth Syrian War | | 3rd BC | 202 BC | 195 BC | The Fifth Syrian War began when Antiochus III of the Seleucid Empire saw an opportunity to invade the Ptolemaic Kingdom after Ptolemy IV died in 204 BC. Antiochus allied with Macedonia to conquer Ptolemaic territory in Asia Minor, and they invaded Coele-Syria, of present-day Syria and Lebanon, but halted at Egypt due to Roman intervention. Antiochus claimed victory, and a treaty agreed to Seleucid possession of Coele-Syria and Ptolemy’s marriage to Antiochus’ daughter. | Asia |
| Sixth Syrian War | | 2nd BC | 171 BC | 168 BC | The Sixth Syrian War was the last in the series of Syrian Wars between the Seleucid Empire and the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Relations between the two powers had declined, and the regents of Ptolemaic Egypt declared war on the Seleucid Empire to unify the state and gain political support from pro-war factions. The war resulted in the Seleucid Empire’s effective control of Egypt, but the people of Alexandria revolted. The Seleucids lost control of Egypt and invaded again until the Romans intervened and ordered the Seleucid forces to retreat from Egypt and Cyprus. | Asia |
| Seleucid–Parthian Wars | | 3rd BC | 238 BC | 129 BC | The Seleucid-Parthian Wars happened between the Seleucid Empire and Parthia of present-day Iran. The Seleucid Empire was vast, and there was unrest among Iranians who inhabited it. Bactria, an area in present-day Central Asia, and Parthia declared themselves independent states and allied to conquer the eastern Seleucid Empire. The Seleucid Empire regained territory but lost it again when Parthia continually invaded more Seleucid cities. The wars resulted in unrecoverable losses for the Seleucid Empire and the establishment of the Parthian Empire. | Asia |
| Seleucid Dynastic Wars | | 1st BC, 2nd BC | 157 BC | 63 BC | The Seleucid Dynastic Wars between 157 and 63 BC were a series of civil wars borne out of the Seleucid Empire’s succession crises and the agreement for Rome to hold a member of the Seleucid royal family hostage. The conflict took place between different branches of the Seleucid Empire’s royal household who each vied for power over the empire. The wars included the War of Antiochus VI and Tryphon, The Wars of Alexander Balas, The War of Antiochus VI and Tryphon, The War of Alexander Zabinas, The War between Grypus and Cyzicenus and The War of the Brothers, and concluded with the Seleucid Empire’s collapse. | Asia |
| Maccabean Revolt | | 2nd BC | 167 BC | 160 BC | The Maccabean Revolt between 167 to 160 BC was a rebellion in Judea of Jewish people against the rule of the Seleucid Empire, who conquered Judea from Egypt in a series of campaigns. The uprising began with guerrilla warfare, provoked by the empire’s promotion of Hellenism and ban on people practising Judaism. The Maccabees were a Jewish Army who eventually captured Jerusalem in 164 BC. The Seleucids unbanned Judaism, and the Jewish people reclaimed their temple, but the Maccabees resumed war and asked for help from Rome to secure total independence from the Seleucid empire. | Asia |
| Seleucid–Mauryan War | | 4th BC | 305 BC | 303 BC | The Seleucid-Mauryan War happened from 305 to 303 BC between the Seleucid and Maurya Empires. Chandragupta Maurya, leader of the Maurya Empire had expanded his territory to the Indus Valley of north-western India and Seleucus I Nicator, leader of the Seleucids, wanted to regain control of the territories left by Alexander the Great that were near the valley. The dispute over the Indus Valley territories incited war between the Seleucids and Mauryans that resulted in a peace treaty where the Maurya Empire gained five territories and the Seleucid Empire received 500 war elephants. | Asia |
| Second Perso-Turkic War | | 1st | Date and year unknown | 608 | The Second Perso-Turkic War came after the Persian Sassanid Empire defeated the Göktürks and Hephthalites. The Göktürks and Hephthalites seized the opportunity to invade Sassanid territory whilst the Sassanid focused on fighting Byzantium. The Turk and Hephthalite invasion led to a loss in their first battle. After reinforcements, they experienced successes until the eastern Persian forces reorganised, and the Turks and Hephthalites retreated. | Asia |
| Mithridatic Wars | | 1st BC | 89 BC | 63 BC | The Mithridiatic Wars refers to the three wars between Rome and the Kingdom of Pontus, a historical kingdom on the south coast of the Black Sea. Mithridates VI, king of Pontus, aimed to expand his domain, so he conquered Roman provinces in present-day Asia Minor and incited revolts in Greece. The Romans fought back to resist Mithridates’ territorial ambitions, and the first war ended with a Roman victory. A second war followed but ended inconclusively until the third war, where the Romans regained control of Asia Minor, including Pontus. | Asia |
| Hasmonean Civil War | | 1st BC | 67 BC | 63 BC | The Hasmonean Civil War was a dynastic succession war between Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II. Hyrcanus was overthrown in battle by his younger brother, Aristobulus, only a few months after being crowned King of Judea. After abdicating his throne, Hyrcanus allied with the king of the Nabataeans and defeated Aristobulus’ forces. Both brothers approached Pompey, a general and statesman of the Roman Republic, for support during the war. Pompey reinstalled Hyrcanus II as a puppet king of Judea before Rome conquered Jerusalem for themselves. | Asia |
| 2011 Egyptian Revolution | 25 January Revolution | 21st | 25 January 2011 | 11 February 2011 | The 2011 Egyptian Revolution, also known as the 25 January Revolution, took place intending to overthrow President Hosni Mubarak and establish free elections and democracy. The revolts were a statement against police brutality, state-of-emergency laws, lack of political freedom, civil liberty, low wages, unemployment, inflation, and corruption under Mubarak’s regime. After weeks of marches, strikes, looting and violent clashes between protesters and the regime’s forces, the revolution resulted in Mubarak’s resignation. | Asia |
| Egyptian Revolt | | 5th BC | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Egyptian Revolt occurred after Darius I, the Persian ruler of the Achaemenid Empire, failed in his attempt to invade Greece. Sources vary as to the reason why the revolt against Persian rule broke out; some report that it was due to the state of turmoil Asia Minor was in because of the military demands of raising an army. While other sources report that it was due to heavy taxes and the deportation of artisans. The revolt took place sometime between 487-484 BCE, but sources vary and the revolt may have broken out before or during the reign of Darius I’s heir Xerxes, who quashed the rebellion. | Asia |
| War of the Antiochene Succession | Antiochene War of Succession | 13th | 1201 | 1219 | The War of the Antiochene Succession, also known as the Antiochene War of Succession, refers to armed conflicts in Antioch, a northern Syrian crusader state, from 1201 to 1219. The war was between Bohemond IV, the second son of Bohemond III and designated heir, and Raymon-Roupen, the grandson of Bohemond III, by his first son who had died, who believed he should rule. The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia supported Raymond-Roupen and invaded Antioch, successfully instating Raymond-Roupen. But Raymond-Roupen’s rulership was unpopular, and an uprising led to Bohemond IV’s return to rule. | Asia |
| Aksumite–Persian Wars | | 6th | 570 | 578 | The Aksumite-Persian Wars were a series of wars between the Sasanian Persian Empire and the Ethiopian Aksumite Empire that occupied the Himyarite Kingdom of present-day Yemen. The conflict followed the Siege of Sana, during which the Sasanian Empire captured the Aksumite city, Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, and expelled many Aksumites. The Persian Empire reinstated King Sayf ibn Dhī Yazan, most known for ending Aksumite rule over Southern Arabia. Yazan's murder led to the Aksumites regaining power in the region before the Sasanian army re-conquered Yemen, expelling the Ethiopians again and establishing control. The Persian military general, Wahrez, was appointed governor. | Asia |
| Muslim Conquest of Persia | Arab Conquest of Iran | 7th | Date and year unknown | 654 | The Muslim Conquest of Persia, also known as the Arab Conquest of Iran, began around 633 AD and was led by the Rashidun Caliphate following the death of the Prophet Muhammad. After decades of war against the Byzantine Empire, the Sasanian Empire was exhausted. This weakness coincided with the rise of Muslim presence in Arabia. Muslims aimed to expand and conquer Persian territory, beginning with present-day Iraq but eventually lost to Sasanian counterattacks. The Muslims continued to attack, and in 642, the Rashidun Army invaded Persia, leading to the fall of the Sasanian Empire by 651. | Asia |
| Hephthalite–Sasanian War of 484 | | 5th BC | 484 BC | 484 BC | The Hephthalite-Sasanian War of 484 was a conflict between the Sasanian Empire, led by the Sasanian king, Peroz I, and the Hephthalite Empire. The Romans supported the Sasanian Empire in their efforts to stop the Hephthalite expansion in Eastern Iran, but the Sasanians were met with failure when Peroz was taken prisoner and made to hand over his son as a hostage for three years until a ransom was paid for his release. Peroz was later killed during the war whilst the Hephthalites’ continued to invade and pillage Sasanid territories. | Asia |
| Treaty of Dardanos | | 1st BC | 85 BC | 85 BC | The Treaty of Dardanos was signed in 85 BC in Dardanos, an ancient city in Anatolia, present-day Turkey, by Lucius Cornelius Sulla of the Roman Republic and Mithridates VI, King of Pontus. The treaty concluded the First Mithridatic War following Pontus’ defeat to Rome. The treaty’s terms required Mithridates to pay indemnities and surrender territory on the Greek mainland and islands. The treaty aimed to establish that Greece belonged to Rome. Greek cities that revolted during the wars were made to pay indemnities to Rome. | Asia |
| Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591 | | 6th | 572 | 591 | The Byzantine-Sasanian War of 572 to 591 between the Persian Sasanian Empire and the Roman-Byzantine Empire occurred in present-day Iraq, Turkey, Southern Europe and Syria. Growing tensions between the two Empires were caused by pro-Byzantine revolts in the Caucasus region under Persian hegemony and interferences between their circles of influence and conquests. Having played a vital role in restoring Khosrow II to the throne, the Byzantines were in a strong position in their relations with Persia. A partition of the Caucasus region was agreed upon, handing over to the Byzantines numerous cities. However, the alliance between Maurice, the Eastern Roman Emporer, and Khosrow triggered a new war 11 years later, with catastrophic results for both empires. | Asia |
| Arab Spring | | 21st | 17 December 2010 | 2012 | The Arab Spring was a series of protests and uprisings against the ruling regimes and governments. It began in December 2010 in Tunisia and spread to Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and other regions in the Middle East and North Africa and ended two years later. Varying factors led to the Arab Spring, including human rights violations, political corruption, poverty, rising food prices and dissatisfied youth. The protesters aimed for democratic political systems, better economic prospects, and ending corruption. Some of the protests were met with violence, leading to civil wars. | Asia |
| Anastasian War | | 6th | 502 | 506 | The Anastasian War was between the Byzantine Empire and Sasanian Empire. Sassanid King Kavad I needed money to pay debts, but his treasury was depleted due to famines and flooding that affected the empire’s finances. Kavad I asked the Roman Byzantines for help, but they refused, so Kavad I declared war to gain the finances he needed. The conflict occurred in present-day Turkey, where the Persians were successful in their invasions, but eventually, the Romans gained the upper hand. The war ended with a peace treaty in November 506. | Asia |
| First Perso-Turkic War | | 6th BC | 588 BC | 589 BC | The First Perso-Turkic war between the Sasanian Empire and Hephtalite principalities followed a campaign by the Sasanian Empire, allied with the Göktürks, to end the Hephthalite Empire’s control in Central Asia. It resulted in areas south of the present-day Amu-Darya River under Sasanian rule and areas north of the river to the Turks. War erupted again in 588 when the Turkic Khagan, along with his Hephthalite subjects, invaded the Sasanian territories, but the Sasanians pushed back against the invasion and took over Turkic-occupied Hephthalite territory. | Asia |
| Antigonid–Nabataean Confrontations | Nabataean Expeditions | 4th BC | 312 BC | 312 BC | The Antigonid-Nabataean Confrontations, also known as The Nabataean Expeditions in 312 BC, were three conflicts between the Greek general Antigonus I and the Arab Nabataean people. After Alexander the Great’s death, Antigonus took rule of the Levant, near the Nabataeans, by Petra, Jordan. His reasons for attacking them are unclear but are likely due to economic interests due to the Nabataean’s wealth from trade routes and taxes. Three attacks on the Nabataeans followed that were unsuccessful, and eventually, Antigonus abandoned his interest in the tribe. | Asia |
| Roman–Sasanian War of 421–422 | | 5th | 421 | 422 | The Roman-Sasanian War of 421-422 between the Eastern Roman and Sasanian empires, already on the defensive from one another, was triggered by the Sassanid king’s persecution of Christians in an attempt to gain favour with his subjects and in retaliation to earlier Christian attacks on Zoroastrian temples. The Romans declared war, and both sides attacked with sieges, occurring in present-day Turkey and Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. A peace treaty ended the war, agreeing that the empires were to tolerate one another’s religions. | Asia |
| Roman–Parthian War of 58–63 | War of the Armenian Succession | 1st | 58 | 63 | The Roman-Parthian War of 58 to 63, also known as The War of the Armenian Succession, between the Roman and Parthian empires was a conflict over the control of Armenia, a buffer state and historically contested territory between the two powers. The Parthian invasion of Armenia in 58 to install their ruler as the Armenian king affected Roman pride, and the new emperor, Nero, aimed to prove his ability by leading a campaign into Armenia. The Parthians then fought back, eventually defeating the Romans in battle. The war ended in a stalemate, and both powers agreed to rule Armenia equally. | Asia |
| Parthian War of Caracalla | | 3rd | 216 | 217 | The Parthian War of Caracalla was a Roman campaign against the Parthian Empire in the northern regions of the Parthian Empire, present-day Iraq. Roman emperor Caracalla requested to marry the new Parthian king’s daughter, using the opportunity to attack. Sources vary on whether the marriage was refused or agreed to. Caracalla’s campaign began with a massacre at the Parthian palace and continued into Parthia until defeat. The Parthians regrouped and fought the Romans until Caracalla’s successor, Macrinus, paid reparations to the Parthians to end the war. | Asia |
| Sasanian Civil War of 589–591 | | 6th | 589 | 591 | The Sasanian Civil War of 589-591 was an uprising against the Sassanid King Hormizd IV. The conflict grew out of the king’s hostile relationship and distrust of the elite, many of whom he killed, along with his rejection of the Zoroastrian priesthood’s requests to persecute Christians and a decrease in payments to the military. A disgruntled general, Bahram Chobin, led the revolt, which loyalists tried to suppress. Following the murder of Hormizd, his son Khosrow II, succeeded the throne. The new king allied with the Byzantines, and the war ended with Bahram’s defeat in 591. | Asia |
| Siege of Jerusalem | | 6th BC | 597 BC | 597 BC | The Siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC was a campaign led by the Neo-Babylonian Empire into Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar II of the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem to reinstate his power over Judah that had previously held allegiance to him, but had stopped paying tribute, switched to being pro-Egypt and had revolted against Babylonian rule. In 587 BC the new vassal king of Judah, Zedekiah, revolted against the Babylonians and again the revolt was crushed with a second siege on Jerusalem in 588 BCE that ended with the destruction of the city in 586 BCE. | Asia |
| Babylonian–Assyrian War of 1235 BC | | 13th BC | 1235 BC | 1235 BC | The Babylonian-Assyrian War of 1235 BCE was fought between Babylonia and Assyria in a period of rising tensions in Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, where both states were based. The Assyrian king, Tukulti-Ninurta stated that he declared war on Babylonia due to a pre-emptive attack from them. Another reason is believed to have been the fact that the King of Babylonia, Kaštiliašu, had given a royal land grant to a fugitive from an Assyrian vassal state. Tukulti-Ninurta invaded Babylonia, present-day Iraq and Syria, and destroyed the city where he claimed victory. | Asia |
| Venetian Crusade | | 12th | 1122 | 1124 | The Venetian Crusade from 1122 to 1124 refers to the Republic of Venice’s campaign to the Holy Land, Jerusalem. The Crusader King of Jerusalem requested help after Frank crusaders experienced losses in battle and Venice aimed to help. The Venetians had already attacked Byzantine Corfu to avenge their emperor before reaching present-day Israel and fighting the Egyptians. Venetian and Frank crusaders together besieged Tyre, in present-day Lebanon, which resulted in the crusader’s acquisition of a third of Tyre’s territory and trading concessions. | Asia |
| Fourth Crusade | | 13th | 1202 | 1204 | The Fourth Crusade, 1202 to 1204, was called by Pope Innocent III to defeat the Ayyubid Sultanate and capture Jerusalem under Muslim control. Instead, it resulted in a war on Constantinople, present-day Istanbul, Turkey. The Byzantine prince Alexius IV offered to help the crusaders if they helped topple the emperor of Constantinople. After they did so, the prince did not hold up his end of the agreement. The Crusaders declared war and sacked the city of Constantinople. The Crusaders took control and elected Baldwin of Flanders as emperor and a Venetian patriarch. | Asia |
| Kargil War | Operation Vijay | 20th | 1999 | 1999 | The Kargil War, also known as Operation Vijay in India, began in Kargil, in an area of the disputed Kashmir region, present-day Ladakh, India. India and Pakistan had previously fought in the region at the Line of Control that separates their countries. Pakistan had disguised their army as Kashmiri militants and entered the Indian side of the Line of Control to sever the link between Kashmir and Ladakh. After realising, India fought to push the Pakistani army out of their land. The conflict ended with an agreement in July 1999 and the withdrawal of Pakistani troops. | Asia |
| Greco-Turkish War | | 20th | 1919 | 1922 | The Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922 was between Greece and the Turkish National Movement after World War I had led to the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire. Anatolia was promised to Greece in the Treaty of Sèvres, and they had their claims to the territory because it had been in Ancient Greece and the Byzantine Empires. The Greeks invaded Smyrna, present-day Izmir, Turkey and took control of Anatolian cities, where they fought against Turkish forces in the Battle of the Sakarya in 1921. The Greeks were defeated, and Turkish forces recaptured Smyrna. | Asia |
| Kurdistan Region–PKK Conflict | | 20th, 21st | 1983 | Ongoing | The Kurdistan Region-PKK Conflict is an ongoing conflict in Iraqi Kurdistan between the Pesherga soldiers of the ruling KRG, Kurdistan Regional Government, and the KDP, Kurdistan Democratic Party against the PKK, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. The conflict began in 1983 after a breakdown in relations between the parties. The PKK wanted more territorial control to gain more influence in the Kurdistan region, and so they invaded villages ruled by the KRG. The KRG carried out military action as they felt the PKK had undermined their sovereignty and become oppressive to residents. | Asia |
| Cadusian Campaign of Artaxerxes II | | 4th BC | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Cadusian Campaign of Artaxerxes II is said to have occurred when King Artaxerxes II of Persia of the Achaemenid Empire campaigned against the Cadusii, an ancient Iranian tribe. However, the origins of the campaign are not historically certified. The conflict took place in Media Atropatene of present-day Northern Iran. King Artaxerxes’s reason for invading the region was likely due to revolts and the tribe’s refusal to pay tribute to the king. One of the Persian officers tricked the Cadusii’s rival chiefs into thinking each one had offered peace, which successfully ended the campaign. | Asia |
| Third Mithridatic War | | 1st BC | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Third Mithridatic War was between King Mithridates of the Pontus Kingdom and the Romans. There is debate on whether the conflict began in 74 or 73 BC. Mithridates was preparing for war against Rome following two previous wars. The third war was triggered when Bithynia’s king died, and Rome laid claim to the kingdom, corresponding to present-day northern Turkey. Mithridates advanced into Bithynia, and the two powers went to war with Rome, aiming to invade Pontus. The war ended with the fall of the Pontus Kingdom and the Seleucid Empire. | Asia |
| Galatian War | | 2nd BC | 189 BC | 189 BC | The Galatian War of 189 BC was between the Galatian Gauls and the Roman Republic allied with Pergamum. The war occurred in Galatia, present-day Turkey, where the Gallic tribes were based. The Romans consul, Gnaeus Manilus Vulso, acted without the Roman Senate’s consent and declared war on the Galatians to avenge them for supplying troops to the Seleucids in the Roman-Syrian War. Roman troops, allied with the Pergamums, attacked and defeated the Galatians. The Galatians fled, but many were sold into slavery. | Asia |
| Julian's Persian War | Perso-Roman War of 363 | 4th | 363 | 363 | Julian’s Persian War, or the Perso-Roman War of 363, was a campaign led by Emperor Julian of the Roman Empire against the Sasanian Empire. Julian aimed to capture Ctesiphon, southeast of present-day Baghdad. His reasons for doing so are disputed by historians. One theory is that he wanted to increase his fame and avenge the Persian invasions of Roman provinces. Another is his aim to prove his support from the Roman gods by a victory over the Christian Sassanians. The war resulted in the Romans being forced to retreat and a peace treaty that ceded land to the Persians. | Asia |
| Nizari–Seljuk Conflicts | | 11th, 12th | 1090 | 1194 | The Nizari-Seljuk Conflicts from 1090 to 1194 AD were between the Nizari Ismailis and the Seljuk Empire that ruled Persia. The Nizari Ismailis, a sect of Shi’a Muslim, had taken control of Alamut in present-day Iran and expanded into nearby towns by force or conversion. The Nizaris’ actions were triggered by the Sunni Muslim Seljuks’ oppression of Shi’a Muslims. The Seljuks, threatened by the Nizari’s growth, besieged Alamut. Conflict between the two sides continued as the Nizaris continued their attempts to expand into Seljuk territory, but the ongoing effects of war led to a stalemate. | Asia |
| Qays–Yaman War | War of the Watermelon | 8th | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Qays-Yaman War, or the War of the Watermelon, was fought between the Northern Mudhar and Southern Yaman tribal confederations formed in Palestine and Transjordan, present-day Jordan. The two confederations’ disputes often resulted in the ruling Abbasid Caliphate siding with the Yamani. War broke out when a northern tribesman stole marrow and watermelons from a southern tribesman. The Abbasid Caliph intervened, but in 796, conflict began again with the Mudhars against the Yamani and the Abbasids, who responded with a large army that crushed the revolt. | Asia |
| Jewish Revolt Against Constantius Gallus | | 4th | 351 | 352 | The Jewish Revolt Against Constantius Gallus happened from 351 to 352 in the Roman province of Syria Palaestina consisting of Roman Judea and Galilee, present-day Israel and Gaza. The war was a Jewish rebellion against Roman rule where Christians persecuted Jews and attacked synagogues and temples. When Constantius Gallus took the position of Caesar of the East, the Jews revolted against their persecution under Roman rule. The Romans destroyed cities that the rebels had captured and quashed the revolts, resulting in a permanent garrison occupying Galilee in present-day Israel. | Asia |
| Antony's Parthian War | Roman-Parthian War of 40-33 BC | 1st BC | 40 BC | 33 BC | Antony’s Parthian War, also known as the Roman-Parthian War of 40-33 BC, was a conflict between the Roman Republic led by Mark Antony and the Parthian Empire. Antony aimed to carry out his predecessor, Julius Caesar’s wishes to avenge the Roman defeat in the Battle of Carrhae with an invasion of Parthia. Before he did so, the Parthians and their allies captured Roman-ruled Syria and Judea, present-day Israel, and advanced further into Roman territory until defeated. The Romans recaptured Judea and attacked the Parthians in present-day north-western Iran, but in the end, they retreated. | Asia |
| Mari–Ebla War | | 25th BC, 24th BC | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Mari-Ebla War was fought around 2400 to 2300 BC between the Second Mari Kingdom and the surrounding First Kingdom of Ebla based in Northern Mesopotamia, a region that corresponds to present-day Syria. The war was triggered when Mari invaded and defeated Nagar, an ally of Ebla, resulting in Ebla’s trade routes being blocked. Ebla responded with a military campaign and allied with Nagar and Kish, a nearby town, to defeat Mari in the Battle of Terqa. After their defeat Mari sought vengeance and destroyed the First Kingdom of Ebla. | Asia |
| Byzantine–Sasanian War of 440 | | 5th | 440 | 440 | The Byzantine-Sasanian War of 440 was between the Roman-Byzantine Empire and the Sasanian Empire. The Sassanids declared war following the Roman Emperor, Theodosius II’s, refusal to continue payments to them and agreed to protect the Caucasus region, which the Sassanids saw as Rome’s subordination to them. The Romans offered peace to the Sassanids as they wanted to end the war quickly to focus on an invasion in their southern provinces. They agreed to make payments again and that neither side would build forts in Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq. | Asia |
| Medo-Babylonian Conquest of the Assyrian Empire | | 7th BC | 626 BC | 609 BC | The Medo-Babylonian Conquest of the Assyrian Empire from 626 to 609 BC refers to the Neo-Babylonian Empire and Median Empire’s invasion of the Assyrian Empire. Babylonia was a vassal kingdom of the Assyrian Empire, until a Babylonian uprising regained the kingdom’s independence. The Assyrians attempted to recapture Babylonia, but due to internal revolts they abandoned their campaign. The Babylonians continued to expand their command of territory. The Medes invaded Assyria in 615 BC, and the Babylonians allied with them, which resulted in the destruction of the Assyrian Empire. | Asia |
| Treaty of Rhandeia | | 1st | 63 | 63 | The Treaty of Rhandeia occurred in 63 between the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire in Rehandeia (present-day Turkey). The treaty aimed to secure the lasting stability of candidates for the Armenian throne. The Roman general, Granaeus Domitius Corbulo, and the Parthian king’s brother, Tiridates, signed. The treaty agreed that a Parthian prince of the Arascid dynasty would be installed on the throne but be nominated by Rome, making them a vassal king. The treaty concluded the Roman-Parthian War of 58-63 and lasted several decades. | Asia |
| Urartu–Assyria War | | 8th BC | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Urartu-Assyria War began around 714 BC between the Kingdom of Urartu and the Neo-Assyrian Empire when King Sargon II of Assyria invaded Urartu. Urartu had been perceived as an increasing threat to the Assyrians due to the kingdom’s territorial conquests in present-day Armenian highlands. The Assyrians advanced into Urartu, but after the death of Sargon II, Urartu forced the Assyrians back and reconquered territory. Urartu ultimately suffered defeat, resulting in Urartu becoming an Assyrian client state. | Asia |
| Mahsa Amini Protests | | 21st | 16 September 2022 | Ongoing | The Mahsa Amini Protests refer to the ongoing nationwide uprising in Iran triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody. Amini was arrested for violating Iran’s mandatory hijab law. The protests began in September 2022 and grew into a national revolt that aimed to benefit the rights of women and overthrow the theocratic rule of the Islamic Republic. Pro-government demonstrations have taken place, calling for the anti-government protesters to be executed. Many protesters have been tortured and killed. | Asia |
| Israelite–Aramean War | | 9th BC | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Israelite-Aramean War was between the Israelites and the Aramean and Amorite people, and occurred around 874 BC. The Israelites aimed to capture the Golan Heights to end the Aramean military offensives at Jerusalem coming from the region. They hoped to capture the Amorite area of Bashan, a strategic land in present-day Syria. The Israelites claimed victory against the Amorites and continued into Aram to defeat the Arameans in conflict. The war resulted in the Israelites successfully taking over the Golan Heights. | Asia |
| Liberation War | Bangladesh War of Independence | 20th | 26 March 1971 | 16 December 1971 | The Liberation War, or the Bangladesh War of Independence, occurred in East Pakistan, present-day Bangladesh. The suppression of Bengali culture and economic disparity between East and West Pakistan led to political discontent and nationalism in East Pakistan. West Pakistan sought to restore authority and began the Bangladesh genocide on 25th March 1971, which triggered the war. The Bengalis wanted an independent state and formed a guerrilla resistance movement supported by India. The war ended on 16th December 1971 and led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. | Asia |
| Siege of Tyre | | 4th BC | 332 BC | 332 BC | The Siege of Tyre, in 332 BC, was led by Alexander the Great of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon as part of his Persian campaigns. Tyre, Phoenicia, of present-day Lebanon, refused Alexander’s wishes to sacrifice the Greek god Heracles in Tyre and perceived it as a ploy to occupy their city. Alexander reason declared war, arguing that he needed to secure Tyre to prevent a threat from behind in his campaign into Egypt. Alexander was defeated by Tyre’s strong defence until a naval campaign eventually led to the Macedonians entering the city and claiming victory. | Asia |
| Sennacherib's Campaign in the Levant | | 8th BC | 701 BC | 701 BC | Sennacherib’s Campaign in the Levant was the Neo-Assyrian Empire’s military campaign to reassert control in the region after a rebellion in 705 BC where many small states abandoned their allegiance to Assyria. Senncherib aimed to regain allegiance by force, and some states resubmitted and became vassal kingdoms. The Assyrians hoped to regain Judah with sieges in Azekah and Lachish near Jerusalem and cutting supply lines. There are conflicting outcomes of the campaign. The Assyrian source states that Judah surrendered, and the Biblical version states an Assyrian withdrawal. | Asia |
| Afghan–Sikh Wars | | 18th, 19th | 1748 | 1849 | The Afghan-Sikh Wars were a series of conflicts between the Durrani Empire and the Sikh Empire, primarily in the Punjab region. A year after the Afghan Durrani Empire announced its independence from Persia, the empire’s founder, Ahmad Shah Durrani, began military action to invade the territory. The Sikh Confederacy formed a guerrilla army, Dal Khalsa, to attack Afghan soldiers. The many campaigns, battles and skirmishes led to the consolidation and rise of the Sikh Empire. The result of the last war and whether it resulted in a Sikh or Afghan victory is disputed amongst historians. | Asia |
| Cyprus Crisis of 1967 | | 20th | 1967 | 1967 | The Cyprus Crisis of 1967 stemmed from ongoing inter-communal violence between Turkish and Greek Cypriots in the newly established Republic of Cyprus. The two groups had different aims for Cyprus. The Greeks wanted Enosis, union with Greece, and the Turkish Cypriots had hoped for union with Turkey but now wanted Takism, a partitioned Cyprus. Clashes broke out between Turkish and Greek Cypriots from July to August 1967 and between the Greek Cypriot police and Turkish Cypriots in November. International intervention helped mediate the agreement for Greek and Turkish troops to withdraw. | Asia |
| Cyprus Crisis of 1963-1964 | | 20th | 1963 | 1964 | The Cyprus Crisis of 1963-1964 stemmed from disputes between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots after the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. Tensions rose in particular due to constitutional amendments that mostly favoured Greek Cypriots. The civil war began in December 1963 on what is known as Bloody Christmas, and the conflict between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots ensued into the new year. Troops from Greece and Turkey became involved, along with failed interventions by international powers. The violence continued and escalated in the Crisis of 1967. | Asia |
| Smyrniote Crusades | | 14th | 1343 | 1351 | The Smyrinote Crusades from 1343 to 1351 targeted Smyrna, present-day İzmir, Turkey, where Pope Clement VI enlisted Venetian crusaders to defend Christian shipping from Turkish piracy in the Aegean Sea. The crusaders led a military expedition against Umur Bey’s Emirate of Aydin, an Anatolian Beylik controlling Smyrna’s ports. The Crusaders thought they had succeeded by 1345, but a surprise attack from Umur Bey led to a second expedition that secured the Christian area of Smyrna. Sieges continued in Smyrna as negotiations between the Christians and Turks continued until 1351. | Asia |
| Muslim Conquest of Transoxiana | | 7th, 8th | 673 | 751 | The Muslim Conquest of Transoxiana refers to Khurasan’s governor and the Umayyads aim to conquest Transoxania, corresponding with present-day Uzbekistan and parts of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. In the 650s, the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates raided Transoxiana, a wealthy region, for booty and tributes and attempted an advance. The Arab forces seized towns in the conquest, but after years of wars, the troops disobeyed their leader and killed him and his family, which stopped Arab invasions of Central Asia for several years. | Asia |
| Mongol Invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire | | 13th | 1219 | 1221 | The Mongol Invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire in present-day Afghanistan and Iran began in 1219. The Mongol and Khwarazmian Empires were expanding their rule, but the Khwarazmian Shah was apprehensive about the Mongol Empire’s growth. Mongol merchants were killed, and their caravan of goods seized by a Kwarazmian governor who thought it was espionage against Khwaramia. The Shah then killed a Muslim ambassador, which triggered Genghis Khan, the Mongol leader, to conquer Khwaramia. The Mongols invaded and destroyed the Khwarazmian Empire in the war that ended in 1221. | Asia |
| Mongol Campaign against the Nizaris | | 13th | 1253 | 1256 | The Mongol Campaign against the Nizaris began in 1253, ordered by Great Khan Möngke of the Mongol Empire, who aimed to expand the empire and create a new khanate. Tensions had risen due to the Mongols’ previous invasions of territories under Nizari rule. Sunni Muslims in the Mongol court and Mongol commanders’ complaints and warnings about the Nizaris fuelled the Mongol campaign into the Nizari state, part of present-day Iran, Iraq and Syria. By 1256, the Mongols had invaded the Nizari heartland of Alamut and massacred many Nizari Ismailis. | Asia |
| Mongol Invasion of India | | 13th, 14th | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Mongol Invasions of India refer to the Mongol Empire’s several campaigns into India that began after the Mongol leader, Genghis Khan’s, conquered the Khwarazmian Empire and pursued the Khwarazmian leader Jalal ad-Din into India, where he had fled. The invasions in India resulted in Mongol occupations of present-day Pakistan, Punjab and Kashmir, becoming a vassal state of the Mongol Empire. The Delhi Sultanate fought against the Mongols, who advanced into Delhi’s outskirts, and the Sultanate successfully retained control of inner India. | Asia |
| Kurukshetra War | Mahabharata War | 11th BC or 14th BC | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Kurukshetra War, also known as the Mahabharata War, was a dynastic succession war over the throne of Hastinapura. The conflict occurred in Kurukshetra over 18 days, during which two rival families of the Kurus, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, believed they should rule the kingdom. They fought against each other for the throne. The event was written about in the Hindu epic poem Mahabharata, but sources vary as to the date that the war happened as either c.1000 BCE or c. 3102 BCE. The Pandavas won the war, and Yudhishthira was crowned king of Hastinapura. | Asia |
| Achaemenid Conquest of the Indus Valley | | 6th BC | Date and year unknown | Date and year unknown | The Achaemenid Conquest of the Indus Valley refers to the Achaemenid Empire invading the Indus Valley, a region corresponding to present-day Pakistan. Cyrus the Great, founded the Achaemenid Empire and wanted to expand their territory, so he aimed to seize North-western India. This mission began around 535 BC, when Cyrus conquered regions west of the Indus River to increase his rulership. A second era of conquest occurred in 518 BC by Cyrus’ successor Darius the Great, who wanted to secure his dynasty. He continued to conquer land up to the Jhelum River in present-day Azad Kashmir. | Asia |
| Avanti-Magadhan Wars | | 5th BC, 6th BC | 510 BC | 400 BC | The Avanti-Magadhan Wars happened between 510 and 400 BC, where the Magadha and Avanti mahajanapadas aimed to conquer North India. Previously Magadha and Avanti had been in tension where they had come into conflict by invading each other’s territories. The death of the Magadhan leader, Ajatashatru, resulted in the weakening of their empire and the increase of threat of an invasion from the Avantis. The Magadha people overthrew their rulers before the new leader, Shishunaga, defeated the Pradyota dynasty of Avanti. | Asia |
| Magadha-Vajji War | | 5th BC | 484 BC | 468 BC | The Magadha-Vajji War between 484 and 468 BC was between Magadha and the Vajjika League, ruled by the Licchavikas and based close to Magadhan territory. Increasing tensions between the two powers for reasons relating to succession and conflicting politics and trade led to the Magaha leader, Ajatashatru’s declaration of war on Vajjika. The conflict occurred in present-day Bihar, India and the Magadha tricked the Vajjis to break their unity before bringing in military forces. After a decade of fighting, the Vajjika League were defeated by the Magadha. | Asia |
| Conquest of the Nanda Empire | | 4th BC | 323 BC | 321 BC | The Conquest of the Nanda Empire occurred when Chandragupta Maurya led a force to conquer the Nanda Empire based in Northern India. Details of Chadragupta’s campaign into the Nanda capital of Pataliputra vary between accounts written after the war. The conquest was also fictionalised in Mudrarakshasa. Chadragupta decided to invade the Nanda Empire after Alexander the Great abandoned his campaign in the region in 324 BC. Chadragupta destroyed his opponents in battle and ended the Nanda dynasty in order to start building the Mauryan Empire. | Asia |
| Treaty of Aleppo | | 14th | 1323 | 1323 | The Treaty of Aleppo of 1323 was a peace treaty that followed the Mongol Il-Khanate’s repeated and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to invade Syria, resulting in the Mongols retreating to Persia. The Mongol ruler, Ghazan, was defeated, and the Il-Khanate converted to Islam, leading to the treaty taking place. The Mongol Il-Khanate of Persia and the Mamluks of Egypt, under Abu Sa’id’s rule, signed the treaty that agreed for peace. | Asia |
| First Kashmir War | Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948 | 20th | 22 October 1947 | 5 January 1949 | The First Kashmir War, also known as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, was fought between two newly independent states, India and Pakistan, over the rule of Jammu and Kashmir, that had refrained from joining either side. Pakistan initiated warfare to seize control of Kashmir in order to prevent them from joining India. Jammu and Kashmir State Forces and militias fought back until Indian troops joined at Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir. The United Nations announced a ceasefire on 1 January 1949, but the recommendation to hold a referendum in the state did not take place. | Asia |
| Adana Massacre | | 20th | 1909 | 1909 | The Adana Massacre of April 1909 was an anti-Armenian pogrom in the Ottoman Empire in the Adana province, which corresponds with present-day Çukurova, Turkey. It refers to the Ottoman Muslims’ massacre of Armenian Christians and Assyrians, instigated by local officials, intellectuals, and Islamic clerics. The Armenian people had been hoping for equal status. However, the rise of Turkish nationalism with Sultan Abdul Hamid II back ruling the Ottoman Empire and rumours of an Armenian insurrection, along with Armenian wealth, led to a massacre instead. | Asia |
| Kashmir Insurgency | | 20th, 21st | 13 July 1989 | Ongoing | The Kashmir Insurgency is ongoing and began on 13 July 1989 in resistance to India’s administration of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1947, the region was disputed between India and Pakistan and the initial dissatisfaction with Indian rule, which, along with a desire for local autonomy and Pakistani involvement, contributed to the insurgency. In 1987 a disputed election in Jammu and Kashmir resulted in some members of the state’s Muslim parties forming insurgent groups, and a year later, demonstrations and strikes against the Indian government gave rise to the insurgency’s beginnings. | Asia |
| Judean Civil War | | 1st BC | 93 BC | 87 BC | The Judean Civil War from 93 to 87 BC was a war in Judea, present-day Israel, between the King of Judea, Alexander Jannaeus, and the Pharisees, a social movement and political party. A massacre of Jewish crowds when the king did not perform a religious ceremony properly and the offended people threw citrons at him is said to have triggered the conflict. The rebels were supported at times by Demetrius II Eucaerus and Seleucid forces. The civil war continued between the rebels and Alexander until the king claimed victory. | Asia |
| Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | | 20th | 3 December 1971 | 16 December 1971 | The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 occurred in December 1971 between India and Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan, present-day Bangladesh. War was triggered when Pakistan hit Indian air stations with aerial strikes pre-emptively as they thought that the Indian military would help Bangladeshi rebels. When India declared war on Pakistan, they hoped to emerge as a superpower and saw Pakistan as a threat. India sided with the Bengali forces, who wanted independence from Pakistan. Facts of the war vary between each side and ended with India’s victory. | Asia |
| Revolt of Tyre | | 10th | 996 | 998 | The Revolt of Tyre from 996 to May 998 occurred in Tyre, a city in present-day Lebanon. The revolt was an uprising by the Tyre people and led by a mariner, ‘Allaqa, against the Fatimid government. It started with the Tyre people killing Fatimid representatives, and in response, the Fatimid caliph’s army and navy reasserted control over the city and blockaded Tyre for two years. ‘Allaqa asked the Byzantine Empire for help, but the naval forces sent were defeated by the Fatimid navy. The revolt ended with the fall of Tyre, where rebels, with Byzantine captives, were executed. | Asia |
| First Anglo-Sikh War | | 19th | 11 December 1845 | 9 March 1846 | The First Anglo-Sikh War from 11 December 1845 to 9 March 1846 took place in Mudki, in the Punjab, between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company, whose territories neighboured one another in the Punjab. After the death of the Sikh leader, the British strengthened their forces on the border, and some British saw the Sikhs as a threat to their rule of India. The Sikh army invaded British territory after growing tension between the two powers. After battles, the British defeated the Sikh empire, taking partial control of their territory. | Asia |
| 1936-1939 Arab Revolt in Palestine | Great Revolt | 20th | April 1936 | August 1939 | The 1936-1939 Arab Revolt in Palestine, also called the Great Revolt, was an uprising in Mandatory Palestine of Palestinian Arabs against the British administration. The Palestinian Arabs wanted independence and to end the policy of Jewish immigration and land purchases due to fears over the Jewish national home. Conflict has occurred between Jews and Arabs in the region since 1920, with Arab nationalism increasing. The revolt took place in two phases between April 1936 and August 1939, the latter phase being mainly directed at British forces due to British repression. | Asia |
| Battle off Hormuz | Battle of the Persian Gulf | 17th | 11 February 1625 | 12 February 1625 | The Battle off Hormuz, also known as the Battle of the Persian Gulf, was a large naval battle that took place in February 1625 in the strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The conflict was between the Portuguese Empire’s state of India and the allied forces of the Dutch East India Company and the English East India Company. The Portuguese aimed to reconquer Hormuz, an important strait for trade, which they had lost to Persian and British forces in 1622. The battle resulted in a draw and a treaty regarding commerce in the gulf was agreed upon. | Asia |
| Chhota Ghallughara | | 18th | 1746 | 1746 | The Chhota Ghallughara refers to the Mughal Empire’s massacre of the Sikh population across the Punjab that took place in 1746. Sikhs created the Order of the Khalsa in response to the religious persecution that they faced and in opposition to the Mughal’s oppressive rule. The government outlawed the Khalsa, who then sought refuge in remote areas. Rewards for the discovery and killing of Sikhs were established by a Mughal governor, and the persecution of Sikhs ensued. This massacre was followed by the Wadda Ghalughara, the Durrani Empire’s massacre of Sikhs in the Punjab, in 1762. | Asia |
| Waziristan Campaign of 1919-1920 | | 20th | November 1919 | December 1920 | The Waziristan Campaign of 1919-1920 began in November 1919. It took place in the mountainous Waziristan region where British and Indian forces conducted a military campaign against the Waziri and Mahsud tribes. The tribes thought that the British were going to give Waziristan to Afghanistan in a peace treaty, for which reason they responded with raids and attacks on British-administered areas. The British campaign was an attempt to subdue the Mahsud and Waziris. The campaign ended in December 1920 and led to the establishment of a permanent British garrison in Razmak, North Waziristan, Pakistan. | Asia |
| Mahmud Barzanji Revolts | | 20th | May 1919 | July 1924 | The Mahmud Barzanji Revolts refer to two revolts that took place between May-June 1919 and November 1922-July 1924 in the British Mandate of Iraq. The revolts were in opposition to British rule and aimed to establish a Kurdish state. They were led by Mahmud Barzanji, a Kurdish national leader supported by Kurdish tribes. The British had given Barzanji the title of administrator of Kurdistan, but subsequently became concerned about his increasing aims for power. When Barzani declared the Kingdom of Kurdistan and started a rebellion, Iraqi and British forces responded with force, ultimately stopping the revolt. | Asia |
| Waziristan Campaign of 1936-1939 | | 20th | 1936 | 1939 | The Waziristan Campaign of 1936-1939 took place in Waziristan in present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, between the British Empire’s Indian army and Pashtun nationalists led by Mirzali Khan of Waziristan. Tensions had been mounting between Waziri tribes and the British, coming to a head in the conflict of 1921-1924. Khan’s anti-British views and undermining of the government provoked the British to respond with an expedition to assert their power. Conflict ensued instead, and Khan’s popularity increased, which led to an insurgency that the British ultimately quenched by force. | Asia |
| Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829 | Nicholas I's Turkish War | 19th | 26 April 1828 | 14 September 1829 | The Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829, also known as Nicholas I's Turkish War, was a military conflict between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire sparked by the Greek War of Independence, which had been going on since 1821. The Russian Empire, sympathetic to the Greek cause, supported the Greek rebels against Ottoman rule. Following the Ottoman defeat, Russia won various Black Sea territories and grew its influence in Eastern Europe and the Balkans at the cost of Ottoman territories. Greece also established itself as a new sovereign state. | Asia |
| 1959 Mosul Uprising | | 20th | 7 March 1959 | 11 March 1959 | The 1959 Mosul Uprising refers to Arab nationalists’ attempt at a coup in Mosul, Iraq, against Abd al-Karim Qasim, the Iraqi Prime Minister. The nationalists wanted to create an Arab nationalist government and join the United Arab Republic. Qasim’s increasing associations with the Iraqi Communist Party, as well as his support of a rally led by Communist-backed Peace Partisans, were contributing factors to the uprising in Mosul. The rebellion started on 7 March 1959 with skirmishes between nationalists and communists. The rebellion was stopped by the military on 11 March 1959. | Asia |
| Yemeni Civil War of 1994 | | 20th | 4 May 1994 | 7 July 1994 | The Yemeni Civil War of 1994 was fought between North Yemen and South Yemen’s Yemeni Socialist Party from 4 May to 7 July 1994. A crisis had mounted following the establishment of the Republic of Yemen, during which the election of 1993 resulted in the North gaining more power than the South instead of equal leadership, and the South being subjected to economic marginalisation and violence. These tensions triggered warfare between the separate North and South armies. The war concluded with victory for the North, reinforcing the country’s unification. | Asia |
| 1991-1992 South Ossetia War | First South Ossetia War | 20th | 5 January 1991 | 24 June 1992 | The 1991-1992 South Ossetia War, also known as the First South Ossetia War, occurred between 5 January 1991 and 24 June 1992 between Georgia and South and North Ossetia. Tensions between Georgians and South Ossetians living in South Ossetia led to the war, which was sparked by South Ossetia’s aim for independence from Georgia. Georgian forces responded with an advance into South Ossetia and an economic blockade. A Russian-brokered ceasefire ended the war, and South Ossetia was subsequently split between Georgia and the de facto independent Republic of South Ossetia. | Asia |
| Portuguese Conquest of Hormuz | | 16th | October 1507 | 1 April 1515 | The Portuguese Conquest of Hormuz refers to the Portuguese capture of Hormuz Island in present-day Iran which began in October 1507. Portugal aimed to capture Hormuz to block trade through Beirut and control the trade between India and Europe that was passing through the Persian Gulf. The Portuguese campaigned against Hormuz in 1507 and the island surrendered. However, discontent grew among the Portuguese in Hormuz and led to a mutiny, with Afonso de Albuquerque leaving the island. The Portuguese later returned to Hormuz and reconquered it on 1 April 1515. | Asia |
| Armenian-Azerbaijani War | Karabakh War of 1918-1920 | 20th | 30 March 1918 | 28 November 1920 | The Armenian-Azerbaijani War, also known as the Karabakh War of 1918-1920, took place from 30 March 1918 to 28 November 1920. It was fought mostly in present-day Azerbaijan and Armenia. In 1918, both the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the Republic of Armenia declared independence, leading to disputes over territorial claims. Turkish forces backed Azerbaijan at the beginning of the war, with the British intervening in pursuit of peace and stability. Battles, skirmishes, and massacres ensued. The war ended when Soviet Russian forces invaded, and the disputed territories were sovietised. | Asia |
| Polygar Wars | Palaiyakkarar Wars | 18th, 19th | 1750 | 1805 | The Polygar Wars, also known as the Palaiyakkarer Wars, took place from 1750 to 1805 in the Tirunelveli Kingdom of present-day Tamil Nadu, India. The wars consisted of a series of violence between the Polygars, also known as the Palaiyakkers, and British East India Company forces. The Polygars fought against the British presence in India but were defeated in the First Polygar War. A larger Polygar alliance was formed, which rebelled against the British again in the Second Polygar War. Eventually, the British won the war, with territory in Tamil Nadu coming under direct British control. | Asia |
| First Yemenite War | | 20th | 6 September 1972 | 19 October 1972 | The First Yemenite War began on 26 September and ended on 19 October 1972. The war was a border conflict between the Yemen Arab Republic of North Yemen and the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, now known as South Yemen, over political differences. North Yemen forces invaded the Qatabah area of South Yemen and South Yemen fought back using air strikes that regained the lost territory. A ceasefire ended the war, and the Cairo Agreement of 1972 aimed to unify the two sides into a democratic state. | Asia |
| Sa’ada Wars | Six Wars | 21st | 2004 | 2010 | The Sa’ada Wars, also known as the Six Wars, refer to six conflicts between the Yemen government and the Houthi movement that took place from 2004 to 2010. The Houthis’ anti-United States stance, and the accusation of the Houthis as a proxy of the Islamic Republic, were contributing factors to the war. The Yemeni government aimed to prevent an insurgency and the Houthis took measures of armed resistance. Other tribes joined the Houthi rebels in the wars, while the Yemeni government enlisted the Saudi Arabian military. In the last war, the Houthis seized parts of Sa’ada and launched raids into Saudi Arabia. | Asia |
| Safavid-Portuguese Conflicts | Persian-Portuguese War | 16th, 17th | 1507 | 1622 | The Safavid-Portuguese Conflicts, also known as the Persian-Portuguese War, was fought from 1507 to 1622 between the Portuguese Empire and Safavid Persia. The Portuguese Empire aimed to control trade by capturing territory in the Persian Gulf. The Portuguese Empire invaded Hormuz, and the new vassal state then joined Portugal to invade Bahrain and other islands and ports. In 1602, Persian troops forced the Portuguese to retreat from Bahrain and led a siege to regain Hormuz. The English East India Company joined the Persian forces’ expedition with a view to opening up trade in the Persian Gulf. | Asia |
| Sukhumi Massacre | | 20th | 27 September 1993 | 27 September 1993 | The Sukhumi Massacre refers to the violent ethnic cleansing of Georgian inhabitants of Sukhumi, the capital city of the disputed Abkhazia region in Georgia, which today is partially recognised as the Republic of Abkhazia. The massacre took place on 27 September 1993. Scholars debate whether the perpetrators of the massacre were Abkhaz militias or their North Caucasian and Russian allies. Abkhazian separatists wanted independence from Georgia, while Georgia wanted to maintain Abkhazia as part of its country. The massacre resulted in the fall of Sukhumi to Abkhazia, ending the War in Abkhazia. | Asia |
| Second Iraqi-Kurdish War | | 20th | 1974 | 1975 | The Second Iraqi-Kurdish War began in April 1974 and was fought between the Ba’ath Party of Iraq and the Kurdish Democratic Party. The 1970 peace plan for Kurdish autonomy had not been implemented successfully by 1974, and oil-rich Kurdish land was deliberately excluded as Iraq aimed to grow its influence in oil-rich Kurdish regions. The Kurds revolted, supported by Iran and Israel, and the Iraqi Army tried to force the Kurds toward the Iranian border. The war ended when Iraq and Iran agreed for Iraqi territory to be ceded to Iran in exchange for them withdrawing their support of the Kurds. | Asia |
| Palestinian Insurgency in South Lebanon | | 20th | 1968 | 1982 | The Palestinian Insurgency in South Lebanon took place in Israel and Lebanon from 1968 to 1982. The conflict was an uprising of Palestinians based in South Lebanon against Israel and the Maronite Christians of Lebanon. The Palestine Liberation Organisation made raids into Israel, targeting Israelis to fight for Palestinian land. Israel retaliated with attacks on Lebanon to encourage the country to stop sheltering the attacking Palestinians. The insurgency destabilised Lebanon and is considered a contributing factor in the Lebanese Civil War that began in 1975 | Asia |
| Second Anglo-Sikh War | | 19th | 18 April 1848 | 29 March 1849 | The Second Anglo-Sikh War was a conflict that took place from 18 April 1848 to 29 March 1849 between the Sikh Empire and the English East India Company in the Punjab. Multan, a city in the Punjab, present-day Pakistan, was part of the Sikh Kingdom and following a dispute about tax after the first Anglo-Sikh War, the British appointed Sirdar Khan Singh as the new ruler with an accompanying British agent. The two were murdered on arrival in Multan and an uprising occurred against the British. Battles, a siege, and a rebellion ensued. The war resulted in a British victory with the Sikh army and their allies being forced to retreat. | Asia |
| Hill States-Sikh Wars | Sikh-Pahari Raja Wars | 17th, 18th, 19th | 1682 | 1815 | The Hill States-Sikh Wars, also known as the Sikh-Pahari Raja Wars, were fought from 1682 to 1815 between Sikhs and Rajas of the Hill States in the Sivalik Hills, a mountain range of the outer Himalayas at the boundary of India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Raja Bhim Chand, a Rajput king, was jealous of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh’s growing status. The Raja attacked the Sikhs when they ignored his objections to the practice of the Ranjit Nagara. Warfare ensued in the Sivalik Hills, with the conflict ultimately resulting in a Sikh victory. | Asia |
| War in Afghanistan | | 21st | 7 October 2001 | 30 August 2021 | The War in Afghanistan took place between 7 October 2001 and 30 August 2021. A United States-led coalition invaded Afghanistan to remove Taliban rule and establish a new democracy to prevent the Taliban from returning to power. The invasion was in response to the Taliban’s refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden to the United States after the September 11 attacks. The Taliban and Islamist groups’ insurgency against the United States in Afghanistan led to a deal in February 2020 for all United States troops to leave Afghanistan by 2021, while at the same time, the 2021 Taliban offensive took place. | Asia |
| Ottoman-Hotaki War | Ottoman-Persian War of 1722-1727 | 18th | 1722 | October 1727 | The Ottoman-Hotaki War, also known as the Ottoman-Persian War of 1722-1727, was fought between the Ottoman Empire and the Hotak dynasty of the Afghan monarchy between 1722 and 1727. The two powers fought over control of western and north-western Iran. The Ottoman Empire’s rule had expanded into Persia, but the Hotak dynasty’s leader, Ashraf Hotak, claimed he was the leader of Persia and that the Ottomans must cede their territory. Insulted by Hotak’s demands, the Ottomans declared war on the dynasty. After a second battle in which the Ottomans were defeated, the two sides signed the Treaty of Hamedan on October 1727 to end the war. | Asia |
| Treaty of Constantinople of 1724 | Russo-Ottoman Treaty | 18th | 12 June 1724 | | The Treaty of Constantinople of 1724, also known as the Russo-Ottoman Treaty, was an agreement between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire. The treaty divided the territories of Safavid Iran between both empires, which were in a race to occupy Iranian lands and were about to start a war over the city of Gandjeh. However, the territorial gains achieved by both empires proved to be short-lived as the subsequent Treaty of Resht in 1732 and the Treaty of Ganja in 1735 resulted in the return of all territories previously taken by Russia back to Iran. | Asia |
| Sheikh Khazal Rebellion | | 20th | July 1922 | November 1924 | The Sheikh Khazal Rebellion refers to an uprising led by Khazal al-Kabi, Sheikh of Muhammara in the Khuzestan province, Iran, against the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran, which took place from July 1922 to November 1924. Khazal wanted to prevent Reza Shah, leader of the Pahlavi dynasty, from gaining more power, while Reza Shah saw Khazal as an obstacle to his plans. Tensions rose as Iranian soldiers designated to Khuzestan were attacked by Khazal’s supporters and when the Iranian government’s demands were rejected by Khazal. Reza Shah prepared an army, but following negotiations, Khazal surrendered to Reza Shah. | Asia |
| May 17 Agreement | | 20th | 17 May 1983 | | The May 17 Agreement was made in 1983 during the Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1990. The agreement was signed by representatives from the United States, Israel, and Lebanon. It concerned the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Beirut following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. The treaty ended warfare between Israel and Lebanon that had been ongoing since 1948, aimed to improve relations between the countries, and established a Lebanese Army security region along the South Lebanon border. The treaty was not upheld by the Lebanese government because of Syrian opposition to it. | Asia |
| Yemeni Revolution | Yemeni Uprising of 2011 | 21st | 27 January 2011 | 27 February 2012 | The Yemeni Revolution, also known as the Yemen Uprising of 2011, took place from 27 January 2011 to 27 February 2012. Pro-democracy activists and opposition members first protested against unemployment, economic underdevelopment, corruption, and the government’s aims to alter Yemen’s constitution, with their demands developing into calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s resignation. Police and loyalists violently clashed, and mass resignations of Yemeni officials took place over protests. The uprising ended after negotiations in which Saleh agreed to transfer power to his Vice President. | Asia |
| Kuwaiti-Rashidi War | | 20th | 15 December 1900 | 23 April 1901 | The Kuwaiti-Rashidi War was fought from 15 December 1900 to 23 April 1901 in the Emirate of Jabal Shammar, present-day Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Jordan. The sheikh of Kuwait was threatened by his dependence on Turkish authorities and so allied with other Saudi anti-Rashidi emirs to invade the Emirate of Jabal Shammar. The Kuwaitis were also supported by Britain who sought to weaken Jabal Shammar. The Kuwaitis were defeated in the Battle of al-Sarif in March 1901, after which they returned to Kuwait. The emir of Jabal Shammar then tried to capture Al Jahra, Kuwait, but ultimately retreated. | Asia |
| Al-Hasa Expedition | | 19th | 23 April 1871 | 3 June 1871 | The Al-Hasa Expedition refers to the Ottoman Empire’s campaign into al-Hasa, also known as Hajar, present-day al-Hasa Governorate, Saudi Arabia, that took place between 20 April and 3 June 1871. The Ottomans claimed that their aims for the campaign were to help Imam Abdullah bin Faisal, the previous ruler of the Emirate of Najd, restore his control of Najd from his brother, but the Ottomans also aimed to extend their influence into the Persian Gulf. The campaign was successful, and al-Hasa fell, which resulted in the Ottomans taking control of al-Hasa and incorporating it into their empire. | Asia |
| Peace of Amasya | | 16th | 29 May 1555 | | The Peace of Amaysa was signed between Safavid Iran and the Ottoman Empire on 29 May 1555. The treaty was observed for approximately twenty years. It concluded the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1532-1555 which was fought on grounds of territorial disputes and ended with the Iranians sending a peace offer to the Ottomans. The offer was accepted, and the treaty agreed on a border between Iran and the Ottoman Empire, splitting Armenia and Georgia between the two powers. The treaty also allowed the Ottomans to gain most of Iraq, which enabled access to the Persian Gulf. | Asia |
| Treaty of Serav | | 17th | 26 September 1618 | | The Treaty of Serav was signed on 26 September 1618 in Sarab, Central District of Sarab County, East Azerbaijan, Iran. The treaty was agreed upon following the Ottoman-Safavid War that had renewed in 1615 after Abbas the Great refused the terms of a previous treaty in 1612. The Ottomans aimed to capture Yerevan, present-day Armenia, but as no progress was made, they moved their target to Ardabil in north-western Iran. Abbas the Great sought peace and the Treaty of Serav was agreed. Many clauses of the prior treaty were reiterated though Iran’s annual tribute to the Ottomans was reduced. | Asia |
| Treaty of Kerden | | 18th | 4 September 1746 | | The Treaty of Kerden was signed on 4 September 1746 between the Ottoman Empire and the Afsharid dynasty of Iran. The Afsharid dynasty aimed to regain control of former Iranian territory and found a Persian empire. The treaty, signed in Kerden, Iran, ended the Ottoman-Persian War of 1743-1746. It agreed to a boundary line between the two countries that reiterated the 1639 Treaty of Zuhab. As part of the agreement, both sides freed prisoners of war. The Ottomans agreed not to oppose Ashfarid rule of Iran, while Iran would not force Ottoman acceptance of Shia Islam as the fifth sect of Sunni Islam. | Asia |
| Adjarian Revolution | Second Rose Revolution | 21st | 23 November 2003 | 20 July 2004 | The Adjarian revolution, also known as the Second Rose Revolution, took place between 23 November 2003 and 20 July 2004 in the Adjaran Autonomous Republic, Georgia following the Rose Revolution of November 2003. The leader of the Adjaran Autonomous Republic, Aslan Abashidze, refused the central authority of post-revolution Georgia that had resulted from the Rose Revolution. Police and Abashidze’s supporters clashed with opposition protesters demanding Abashidze’s resignation. Georgia imposed sanctions on Adjaran and the Georgian president made a deal that saw Abashidze stepping down. | Asia |
| Russo-Persian War of 1722-1723 | Persian Campaign of Peter the Great | 18th | 18 June 1722 | 12 September 1723 | The Russo-Persian War of 1722 to 1723, also known as the Persian Campaign of Peter the Great, was fought between the Russian Empire and Safavid Iran from 18 June 1722 to 12 September 1723. It was triggered by attacks on Russian merchants in a Safavid Iranian city, which violated a treaty between Russia and the Safavids. Safavid Iran was already weakened, and Russia saw an opportunity to invade to expand its imperial rule and prevent the Ottoman Empire from increasing power. The war resulted in Russia’s annexation of regions in Iran and the 1723 Treaty of Saint Petersburg. | Asia |
| Treaty of Hamedan | | 18th | October 1727 | | The Treaty of Hamedan was signed in October 1727 in Hamedan, Iran, between the Ottoman Empire and the Hotaki dynasty of the Afghan monarchy. The peace treaty ended the Ottoman-Hotaki War of 1722 to 1727, in which Ashraf Hotaki had offended the Ottomans when claiming he was the heir to Persia and demanding the Ottomans to cede their territory. The peace treaty agreed for Ashraf Hotaki to be recognised as the Shah of Persia and given the right to mint coins. The treaty’s terms were favourable to the Ottoman Empire, and it was agreed that the empire would have sovereignty over western and north-western Iran. | Asia |
| 2011 Bahraini Uprising | Pearl Uprising | 21st | 14 February 2011 | 18 March 2011 | The 2011 Bahraini uprising, also known as the Pearl Uprising, occurred from 14 February to 18 March 2011 in Bahrain. The uprising consisted of anti-government protests by mostly Shi’ite and some Sunni Muslims of the Bahraini opposition, who were against the Bahrain government and monarchy. At first, the protesters aimed for more political freedom, but their aims developed into calling for the end of the monarchy following a night raid against the protesters on 17 February 2011. To crush the uprising, the Bahrain government allied with troops from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. | Asia |
| Ahom-Mughal Conflicts | | 17th | 1616 | 1682 | The Ahom-Mughal Conflicts from 1616 to 1682 were fought between the Ahom Kingdom, based in Brahmaputra Valley, present-day Assam, India, and the Mughal Empire. The Ahoms and Mughal Empire were natural opponents due to the Mughal’s alliance with an Ahom enemy and their expansion into nearby territory in the north-eastern frontier, which unnerved the Ahoms. The Mughals aimed to conquer Assam, India, for imperial aims. Skirmishes, battles, and advances took place, which resulted in the Ahom Kingdom’s victory and the Mughals being forced from the region in the Battle of Itakhuli of 1682. | Asia |
| Cedar Revolution | Independence Uprising | 21st | 14 February 2005 | 27 April 2005 | The Cedar Revolution, also known as the Independence Uprising, occurred between 14 February and 27 April 2005 in Lebanon. The uprising occurred during the leadership of a pro-Syrian prime minister and was triggered by the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister. The resistance called to end Syria’s occupation of Lebanon and Syrian influence on the country and aimed to establish a new independent government and an investigation of the former prime minister’s assassination. The revolution was successful, with the prime minister resigning and Syrian troops withdrawing. | Asia |
| Treaty of Asurar Ali | | 17th | February 1639 | | The Treaty of Asurar Ali was signed on February 1639 between the Mughal Empire and the Ahom Kingdom. The treaty aimed to end the Mughal Empire’s aims to expand into Ahom territory for imperial gains. It took place during the Ahom-Mughal conflicts after the Mughals were defeated by the Ahoms in Duimunisila in November 1638. The treaty confirmed the boundary between the Mughals and Ahoms and that the Mughals would not intervene in the Ahom kingdom. It also entailed Ahom recognition of the Mughal’s rule in Kamrup in west Assam, India. | Asia |
| 1717 Omani Invasion of Bahrain | | 18th | 1717 | 1717 | The 1717 Omani Invasion of Bahrain refers to the Sultanate of Oman’s conquest of Bahrain, which had been ruled by the Safavid dynasty for 115 years. The Omanis were of the Ibadite branch of Islam, and their invasion was supported by some of the region’s Sunni Muslim tribes. The Safavid dynasty’s power was on the decline due to Afghanistan’s invasion of Iran, which had also caused instability in the region. The Yaruba dynasty of Oman saw an opportunity to invade Bahrain in this climate for wealth and were successful in their aims. | Asia |
| Bengal Sultanate-Kamata Kingdom War | | 15th | 1498 | 1498 | The Bengal Sultanate-Kamata Kingdom War was fought in 1498 in North Bengal and Western Assam. Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah declared war on the Kamata Kingdom because of a Brahmin’s wishes after his son was executed by the Kamata king due to promiscuity with the queen. The Bengal Sultanate sent forces to capture Kamata, with the siege resulting in the destruction of the city and the fall of the Hindu Khen dynasty. King Nilambar of Kamata was imprisoned and the kingdom was annexed to the Bengal Sultanate. | Asia |
| Batken Conflict | | 20th | 30 April 1999 | 27 September 1999 | The Batken Conflict was fought between 30 July and 27 September 1999 in the Batken Region of Kyrgyzstan. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan clashed with Kyrgyzstan authorities over the Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan border when the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan militants entered Uzbek and Kyrgyz areas from Tajikistan. Before the conflict, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan militants had attacked the Uzbek government with the aim of establishing an Islamic state. The militants occupied Barak, Kyrgyzstan until the Kyrgyz Army received support from Russia and forced the rebels back to Tajikistan. | Asia |
| Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Waziristan War | 21st | 15 March 2004 | Ongoing | The Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also known as the Waziristan War, began on 16 March 2004 and is ongoing. The conflict between Pakistan and insurgent Islamist groups became classed as an insurgency in 2017. The war was triggered by the Pakistan Armed forces’ search for al-Qaeda fighters in Waziristan, a tribal region in Pakistan, which developed into an armed conflict with militant groups. The increase of military in the region angered local tribal leaders. The war has been perceived as Pakistan’s contribution to the United States-led War on Terror. | Asia |
| Iran-PJAK Conflict | | 21st | 1 April 2004 | Ongoing | The Iran-PJAK Conflict began on 1 April 2004 in the Kurdistan Province of Iran and Western Iran between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kurdish rebels of the Kurdistan Free Life Party, also known as the PJAK. The goals of the PJAK, who were associated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, have included the establishment of an independent Kurdistan, autonomy for Kurds in the region, and improving Kurdish rights under oppressive rule. Their first armed attack on Iran occurred in 2004 when protesters were attacked by Iranian forces. Clashes between Iran and the PJAK are ongoing, with heavy losses on both sides. | Asia |
| Basmachi Revolt | Freemen’s Revolt of 1917-1924 | 20th | 1917 | 1924 | The Basmachi Revolt, also known as the Freemen’s Revolt, took place in Turkestan, corresponding to areas in present-day Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The revolt occurred against Soviet Turkestan restructuring of Muslim society. Muslim groups in Turkestan formed the Kokand Autonomous Government in retaliation, but the Red Army attacked Kokand and restored their control of the region. The Basmachi movement revolted against the Bolshevik’s Red Army, who however were able to crush the rebellion using military force and political and cultural concessions. | Asia |
| Khivan Revolution | | 20th | 1917 | 1924 | The Khivan Revolution took place between 1917 and 1924 in the Khanate of Khiva, present-day west Uzbekistan and north Turkmenistan. The revolution occurred after the February Revolution of 1917 when discontent rose in the khanate due to Isfandiyar Khan’s conservative rulership that stood in the way of reform. A coup was made in 1918, but discontent arose under the new ruler, too. A new communist party that was supported by Russia’s Red Army led an uprising against the khanate. The revolution led to the establishment of a republic and Khiva’s integration as part of the USSR. | Asia |
| War of the Heavenly Horses | Han-Dayuan War | 2nd BC | 104 BCE | 101 BCE | The War of the Heavenly Horses, also known as the Han-Dayuan War, was fought between 104 and 102 BCE in the Ferghana Valley of Greco-Bactria in present-day eastern Uzbekistan, southern Kyrgyzstan, and northern Tajikistan. The war was fought between the Chinese Han dynasty and the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom ruled by the Saka, also referred to as the Dayaun, when they stopped the Han dynasty’s import of Ferghana horses for their cavalry. The Han dynasty successfully invaded Greco-Bactria in retaliation, which led to the establishment of a pro-Han regime. | Asia |
| Iran Crisis of 1946 | Azerbaijan Crisis | 20th | November 1945 | 15 December 1946 | The Iran Crisis of 1946, also known as the Azerbaijan Crisis, was fought between November 1945 and 15 December 1946. The Soviet Union and British-allied occupation of Iran was meant to end after World War II, but instead, United States troops joined. Tensions between the occupiers grew and provoked the Soviet Union’s refusal to leave Iran and their support of the Azerbaijan People’s Government and the Kurdish separatist Republic of Mahabad. The separatist groups fought Iranian forces backed by the British. The crisis ended when the United States used diplomatic pressure and the Soviets left Iran. | Asia |
| Tashkent Rebellion | | 20th | September 1917 | 13 November 1917 | The Tashkent Rebellion occurred between September 1917 and 13 November 1917 in Tashkent in the Russian Empire, present-day in Uzbekistan. The rebellion came after Tashkent Soviet had been formed earlier in 1917 and increased their power in the region. Conflict arose when the Russian Provisional Government attempted to restore authority in Tashkent, and a revolutionary committee was formed that aimed for soviet control of Tashkent. The Russian Provisional Government fell, and further conflict between loyalists and rebels led to the establishment of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. | Asia |
| First Kyrgyz Revolution | Tulip Revolution | 21st | 27 February 2005 | 11 April 2005 | The First Kyrgyz Revolution, also known as the Tulip Revolution, occurred between 22 March and 11 April 2005 in Kyrgyzstan. Corruption and vote rigging under the President of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akayev, caused protesters, joined by the People’s Movement of Kyrgyzstan, to call for his resignation. The protesters occupied government buildings, took control of southern cities and were supported by the United States government and NGOs. The president fled Kyrgyzstan and resigned, which led to Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the People’s Movement of Kyrgyzstan leader, becoming interim head of state. | Asia |
| 2010 Kyrgyz Revolution | Second Kyrgyz Revolution | 21st | 6 April 2010 | 15 April 2010 | The 2010 Kyrgyz Revolution, also known as the Second Kyrgyz Revolution, took place from 6 April to 15 April 2010. Rising energy rates, perceived corruption, and the country’s economy were all contributing factors to the uprising against the Kyrgyzstan government, which ultimately resulted in the fall of the government and the establishment of a new democratic parliamentary system for Kyrgyzstan. The uprising began when opposition leaders protested against the corrupt government and increasing living expenses, which developed into nationwide violence. | Asia |
| Kyrgyz Revolution of 2020 | Third Kyrgyz Revolution | 21st | 5 October 2020 | 15 October 2020 | The 2020 Kyrgyz Revolution, also known as the Third Kyrgyz Revolution, took place between 5 and 15 October 2020 and was sparked by parliamentary electoral fraud in the October 2020 elections, along with economic decline in the region. Protesters believed that the vote was rigged and that parties were buying votes. They aimed for President Sooronbay Jeenbekov to resign and for there to be a free, fair election. The protesters attacked police officers and freed a former president from jail. On 15 October 2020, Jeenbekov resigned and Sadyr Japarov became the acting president of Kyrgyzstan. | Asia |
| Mughal Conquest of Bengal | | 16th | 1572 | 1576 | The Mughal Conquest of Bengal from 1572 to 1576 refers to the Mughal Empire’s invasion of territory under the Sultanate of Bengal which was ruled by the Afghan Karrani dynasty. According to the Mughal emperor’s official historian, the decision to invade was because of Bengalis suffering under Afghan rule, but the Mughals more likely aimed to exploit the political void caused by the death of the Bengal Sultan or acted in retaliation to a Bengali raid into Mughal territory. Battles ensued in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and Bangladesh until the Mughals claimed victory in the Battle of Raj Mahal of 1576. | Asia |
| Andijan Uprising of 1898 | | 19th | 29 May 1898 | 29 May 1898 | The Andijan Uprising of 1898 was a short and significant rebellion that took place on 17 May 1898 in Andijan, Ferghana Oblast in the Russian Empire, present-day Uzbekistan. The Russian Tsarist military garrison were attacked by Andijan armed rebels supported by Ferghana, present-day Kyrgyzstan, and some of Samarkand oblast, present-day Uzbekistan. The rebel leader’s reasons for the uprising against Russian rule were Russian non-compliance with Islamic ways of life and the view that the Russian rulers were not concerned about the morals and lives of the people they ruled over. | Asia |
| Bukharan Revolution | | 20th | 1917 | 1925 | The Bukharan Revolution took place between 1917 and 1925 in Bukhara, Emirate of Bukhara, present-day Uzbaekistan when the Young Bukharians and the Bukhara Communist Party revolted against Emir Sayid Alim Khan’s regime. The Young Bukharians were reformists who wanted a modern national state for Muslims of Bukhara, while the Bukhara Communist Party aimed to establish a Sovietised republic. Failed negotiations with the Emir led to attempts to overthrow him. The Communist group and the Young Bukharians’ armed insurgency was ultimately a success, and the Bukhara People’s Soviet Republic was formed. | Asia |
| Red Army Invasion of Armenia | Armenian-Soviet War | 20th | 24 September 1920 | 29 November 1920 | The Red Army Invasion of Armenia, also known as the Armenian-Soviet War, took place between 24 September 1920 and 29 November 1920. The Soviet Union wanted to spread revolution and aimed to establish a Soviet government in the First Republic of Armenia founded in 1918 but which had previously been part of the Russian Empire. The Soviet Red Army invaded Armenia and used an Armenian Bolshevik-led insurgency and Turkey’s attacks on Armenia to sovietise Armenia. The war resulted in victory for the Soviet Union and the establishment of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. | Asia |
| Peace Agreement in North Waziristan | Miranshah Peace Accord | 21st | 6 September 2006 | | The Peace Agreement in North Waziristan, also known as the Miranshah Peace Accord, was signed on 5 September 2006. The government of Pakistan and tribes of the Waziristan region signed the agreement in Miranshah, North Waziristan District, Pakistan. The aim of the accord was to reach an agreement following the end of the Waziristan War between Pakistani military and rebel groups in the region who were connected to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The accord agreed for the government and North Waziristan militants to stop attacks on one another and for militants to stop cross-border movement. | Asia |
| Rajput Rebellion | | 18th | 21 April 1708 | 11 June 1710 | The Rajput Rebellion was fought from 21 April 1708 to 11 June 1710 in Rajputana, corresponding to present-day Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi National Capital Region, India. The Mughal emperor’s bad treatment of Rajput Rajas triggered the rebellion, causing the Rajas to ally and revolt against the Mughals. The Mughal regent aimed for peace, but the Rajput Rajas were already reclaiming territory from the Mughals and wanted the land seized by Aurangzeb, the previous Mughal Emperor, to be restored to them. Violence ensued between the two sides, which resulted in the defeat of the Mughals. | Asia |
| Truce of Shamkor | | 15th | September 1401 | September 1401 | The Truce of Shamkor was signed by King George VII of Georgia and Timur, ruler of the Timurid Empire. It was signed in September 1401 after Timur sent forces to Georgia on hearing of King George VII’s aim to relieve Alinjak castle, Nakhichevan in present-day Azerbaijan, which had recently surrendered to Timur. King George VII wanted peace and security and so agreed to a treaty. The Truce of Shamkor demanded that Georgia pay tribute to Timur, provide troops to the Timurid Empire, allow Timur’s army transit, treat Muslims equally, and for Christianity not to be practised in Muslim territory. | Asia |
| Parthian-Bactrian War | | 2nd BC | 171 BCE | 165 BCE | The Parthian-Bactrian War took place between 171 to 165 BCE when King Mithridates I of the Iranian Parthian Empire invaded the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, in present-day Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The Parthian reason for invading was the Greco-Bactrians extending their borders because of the consistent warfare in nearby territory that had weakened the Greco-Bactrians. The Parthian Empire claimed victory in the war and gained Western Bactria as part of their empire. | Asia |
| Shapur II‘s Arab Campaign | | 4th | 325 | 325 | Shapur II’s Arab Campaign refers to the Sasanian Empire’s expedition in 325 against Arab tribes including the Iyad tribe of Asoristan in present-day Iraq and Banu Tamim who were based in the Hajar mountains, in present-day Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Shapur II’s campaign aimed to pacify the Arab tribes and secure his empire in retaliation to past raids and incursions made by Arab nomads into Sasanian territory. Shapur II was successful in his campaign and established rule over the Persian Gulf. | Asia |
| Aksumite-Persian Wars | | 6th | 570 | 578 | The Aksumite-Persian Wars took place between 570 and 578. The Sasanian Empire of Persia and Aksumite Empire of Ethiopia went to war over the Himyarite Kingdom in Southern Arabia, present-day Yemen. The war began when the brother of the Aksumite ruler of the Aksumite-annexed Himyarite Kingdom revolted and appealed to the Sasanian Emperor, Khosrow I, for help. The Sasanians sent an expedition of Persian forces who successfully conquered Yemen. However, the Ethiopians revolted against the new leadership and the Sasanians sent another round of forces to take control of the region. | Asia |
| Sasanian Civil War of 628-632 | Sasanian Interregnum | 7th | 628 | 632 | The Sasanian Civil War of 628-632, also known as the Sasanian Interregnum, was a war of succession between nobles of different factions after the Sasanian king Khosrow II was overthrown by feudal families earlier in the year. The King’s son, Kavad II, murdered his brothers and father to secure his reign. This led to a civil war reigniting hostility between the Parsig and Pahlav factions. The war ended when the two factions agreed to install Khosrow II’s grandson, Yazdegerd III, as king, in order to save the empire that had been heavily weakened by war. | Asia |
| Urtatagai Conflict | | 20th | 27 November 1925 | 15 August 1926 | The Urtatagai Conflict of 1925-1926 arose from a territorial dispute between the Soviet Union and the Emirate of Afghanistan over control of the island of Urtatagai on the Amu Darya River. Afghanistan had claimed the island since 1900, despite it being under Russian control. With anti-Soviet Muslim Basmachi rebels using the island as a base, Soviet troops attacked, drawing international attention. Finally, due to mounting international public support for the Afghan government, the Soviet leadership agreed to officially recognise Urtatagai as part of Afghanistan on 15 August 1926. | Asia |
| War in Abkhazia of 1992-1993 | Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia | 20th | 14 August 1992 | 27 September 1993 | The War in Abkahzia, or the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia, was fought between the Georgian government forces on the one hand and Abkhaz separatist forces, Russian government forces and North Caucasian militants on the other. Violent guerrilla warfare resulted in the displacement of over 250,000 Georgians, many of whom became refugees. A UN-led fact-finding mission documented widespread and severe human rights abuses perpetrated by both Abkhazians and Georgians and indicated around 5,000 ethnic Georgians and 4,000 Abkhazians were either killed or reported missing. | Asia |
| First Chechen War | First Chechen Campaign | 20th | 11 December 1994 | 31 August 1996 | The First Chechen War, or the First Chechen Campaign, was a war of independence initiated by the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria against the Russian Federation. The conflict culminated in the bloody Battle of Grozny where Russian federal forces won some control over the Chechnya region. However, despite its considerable military strength, Russia encountered fierce resistance from Chechen guerrillas. In 1996 Russia declared a ceasefire and a peace treaty was signed in 1997. Human rights groups claim 80,000-100,000 civilians were killed and over 500,000 displaced. | Asia |
| Russia-Chechnya Peace Treaty of 1997 | Moscow Peace Treaty of 1997 | 20th | 12 May 1997 | | The Russia-Chechnya Peace Treaty of 1997, commonly referred to as the Moscow Peace Treaty, was a formal agreement between Russia and Chechnya. The Treaty aimed to establish peace and define the principles of Russian-Chechen relations following the First Chechen War of 1994-1996, which had left at least 80,000 people dead across its 20-month run. Although the treaty was celebrated in Chechnya, the key issue of independence was not resolved and in 1999 Moscow nullified the treaty and invaded the Chechen republic again. | Asia |
| Second Chechen War | Second Chechen Campaign | 20th, 21st | 7 August 1999 | 16 April 2009 | The Second Chechen War, also called the Second Chechen Campaign, was a war between Russia and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. The First Chechen War had strengthened Chechnya's ambition to declare independence from Russia, and in taking over from Boris Yeltsin in 1999, it was Vladimir Putin who initiated this Second Chechen War in response to bombings by Chechen militants. The conflict involved intense fighting, significant casualties and widespread destruction in Chechnya. The civilian population suffered immense human rights abuses, forced disappearances and displacement. | Asia |
| 1988 Geneva Accords | | 20th | 14 April 1988 | | The 1988 Geneva Accords, also formally called the Agreements on the Settlement of the Situation Relating to Afghanistan, were a set of agreements aimed at resolving the situation between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan, signed at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. The accords were signed by Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the United States and Soviet Union acting as guarantors. It included agreements that marked the end of the nine-year-long Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and of the Soviet-Afghan War, as well as the voluntary return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. | Asia |
| Tajik Peace Accord | | 20th | 27 June 1997 | | The General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan, or The Tajik Peace Accord, is an agreement that brought an end to the Tajikistani Civil War, which erupted in 1992 after the country's independence from the Soviet Union. The agreement aimed to establish a comprehensive framework for peace and stipulated a ceasefire and steps to demobilise and reintegrate combatants into society. It also promised 30% of Government positions to the United Tajik Opposition, which would have included the Islamic Renaissance Party, but this group has since been banned. | Asia |
| Bashkir Rebellion of 1662-1664 | Bashkir Uprising of 1662-1664 | 17th | 1662 | 1664 | The Bashkir Rebellion of 1662-1664, or Bashkir Uprising of 1662-1664, was a significant uprising of the Bashkir people that occurred in the region of Bashkortostan in the Tsardom of Russia. The rebellion was the first major insurrection by the Bashkirs, a Turkic ethnic group native to the region. The Bashkirs rebelled against being subjected to heavy taxation and exploitation by Russian authorities. The rebellion lasted for several years, with sporadic outbreaks of violence and resistance. Unable to defeat the rebels, the Tsarist government was forced to meet their basic requirements. | Asia |
| Bashkir Rebellion of 1704-1711 | Bashkir Uprising of 1704-1711 | 18th | 1704 | 1711 | The Bashkir Rebellion of 1704-1711, also called The Bashkir Uprising of 1704-1711, was one of the longest conflicts within the series of Bashkir rebellions in the Russian Empire. Russia’s gradual incorporation of Bashkiria into the Empire was met with persistent resistance by the Bashkir people fighting against colonial oppression. The rebellion ended in the defeat of the Bashkirs, although they won a few concessions around feudal taxes. The Russian Empire solidified its dominance, further integrating Bashkiria into the Russian administrative and legal systems. | Asia |
| Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca | | 18th | 21 July 1774 | | The Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca was a peace agreement signed between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire marking the end of the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774. Signed in Küçük Kaynarca in present-day Bulgaria, it covered several concessions granted to Russia. The treaty was a pivotal moment in the decline of the Ottoman Empire, as it ended their control over the Black Sea with Russia gaining control over territories including Crimea, Romania, and parts of modern-day Ukraine. It also allowed Russia to represent all Greek Orthodox Christian subjects in the Ottoman Empire. | Asia |
| 2012 Gorno-Badakhshan Clashes | | 21st | July 2012 | July 2012 | The 2012 Gorno-Badakhshan clashes were a series of violent incidents that occurred in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan. The clashes erupted following the assassination of General Abdullo Nazarov, the regional security chief, by former warlord Tolib Ayyombekov. This led to a violent confrontation between Tajik security forces and local oppositional groups. The Tajik government responded with a large-scale military operation to regain control over the region and bring an end to days of intense fighting. Tensions remained high in the region for some time. | Asia |
| Mahtra War | | 19th | May 1858 | July 1858 | The Mahtra War was an armed conflict that took place in Estonia, which was then part of the Russian Empire. It is considered one of the earliest and most notable peasant uprisings in Estonian history. The war was a result of longstanding discontent among the Estonian peasantry, which faced harsh living conditions, heavy taxes, and feudal obligations enforced under Tsarist Russia during the 18th century. The war lasted for several weeks and the peasant forces were ultimately defeated by the Russian military. | Asia |
| Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774 | | 18th | 1768 | 1774 | The Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774 was an armed conflict between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Russia's declaration of war was driven by a combination of geopolitical, territorial, and religious factors. It sought to expand its influence in the Black Sea region and secure access to warm-water ports, while the Ottoman Empire aimed to maintain its territories and protect its interests in Eastern Europe. It resulted in a series of victories for Russia and notable territorial wins in the Black Sea region, strengthening its influence in Eastern Europe. | Asia |
| Treaty of Yam-Zapolsky | | 16th | 15 January 1582 | | The Treaty of Yam-Zapolsky was a peace treaty between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Tsardom of Russia. It contributed to ending the Livonian War, a conflict over control of the Livonia region, which covered large parts of present-day Estonia and Latvia. The Treaty established a ten-year truce between the two powers and while it was extended for another twenty years in 1600, it was then broken in 1605. The treaty had benefitted the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, as it required Russia to renounce its claims to Livonia and Polotsk (a city in present-day Belarus). | Asia |
| Treaty of Plussa | Truce of Narva and Plusa | 16th | 10 August 1583 | | The Treaty of Plussa, also called the Truce of Narva and Plusa, was a peace agreement between Russia and Sweden. It was one of several treaties which ended the Livonian War and established a temporary cessation of hostilities between Russia and Sweden. Under the agreement, Sweden gained control over several territories in Livonia, including the important cities of Narva and Revel, present-day Tallinn. Russia retained control over the territories it had occupied during the war, as well as access to the Baltic Sea. In 1590, the truce expired and Russia resumed the war against Sweden. | Asia |
| Livonian War | | 16th | 1558 | 1583 | The Livonian War was a prolonged conflict in which Russia fought Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to gain control over Livonia, which covered present-day Estonia and Latvia. Russia, led by Tsar Ivan The Terrible, was unsuccessful at gaining control of the Baltic Sea and had to renounce its claims to Livonia. The Livonian War can be seen as part of the larger struggle for dominance in the Baltic region, with Russia, Sweden, and Poland-Lithuania all seeking to secure their positions and Livonia being caught in a tug-of-war between the various powers. | Asia |
| Koliivshchyna Rebellion | | 18th | June 1768 | June 1769 | The Koliivshchyna Rebellion was a major rebellion led by haidamaky, which were Ukrainian paramilitary groups composed of Ukrainian Cossacks and peasants. It was fuelled by a combination of factors, including the oppression of Orthodox believers by the Polish Roman Catholic church and the influx of Russian money sent to Ukraine to support the Polish-dominated nobility, who were seen by the haidamaky as oppressors and enforcers of serfdom. Entire communities of national minorities were decimated in the areas affected by the uprising, with up to 200,000 deaths estimated. | Asia |
| Bashkir Rebellion of 1735-1740 | Fourth Bashkir Rebellion | 18th | July 1735 | 1740 | The Bashkir Rebellion of 1735-1740, also called the Fourth Bashkir Rebellion, was fought between the Russian Empire and Bashkir rebels. It involved numerous heavy clashes but was ultimately quelled by Russian forces. From an estimated population of 100,000, the Bashkirs suffered around 30,000 deaths and roughly 1200 villages were destroyed. The aftermath of the rebellion also saw the establishment of the fortress city of Orenburg, a Russian administrative centre close to Kazakhstan. The rebellion delayed Russia's progress with further expansion into Central Asia. | Asia |
| Treaty of Saint Petersburg | | 18th | 23 September 1723 | | The Treaty of Saint Petersburg was a peace treaty that marked the end of the Russo-Persian War of 1722-1723 between the Russian Empire and the Safavid Empire of Persia (present-day Iran). This treaty confirmed Persia's forced surrender of various territories, including much of the Caucasus and mainland Northern Iran, including Derbent in Dagestan, Baku, the surrounding lands of Shirvan, as well as the provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Astarabad. Additionally, the treaty stipulated that the Persian king would receive Russian troops for internal peacekeeping purposes. | Asia |
| Treaty of Resht | | 18th | 21 January 1732 | | The Treaty of Resht marked an agreement between the Russian Empire and the Safavid Empire of Persia. This treaty was concluded in Rasht, in present-day Iran, and had significant implications for the territorial claims and trade relations between the two powers. In the treaty, Russia renounced its territorial claims to Persian areas located south of the Kura River. This included the provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Astarabad, which had been previously conquered by Peter the Great in the early 1720s. As part of the treaty, these provinces were to be returned to Persia. | Asia |
| Treaty of Ganja | | 18th | 10 March 1735 | | The Treaty of Ganja was a peace treaty signed between the Russian Empire and the Safavid Empire of Persia. It established a defensive alliance between Russia and the Persian Empire against their common adversary, the Ottoman Empire. As part of the agreement, the Russian government agreed to return the remaining territories in the Caucasus, which had been captured during the Russo-Persian War (1722–1723). The treaty provided Russia with a diplomatic advantage over the Ottoman Empire, and respite for the Safavid ruler Nader Shah on the western frontier of his empire. | Asia |
| 1717-1847 Kazakh-Russian Conflicts | | 18th, 19th | 1717 | 1847 | The 1717-1847 Kazakh-Russian conflicts were a prolonged series of conflicts between the Kazakhs and the Russian Empire. They arose primarily due to the expansionist ambitions of the Russian Empire and its desire to exert control over the vast Kazakh territories. The Russian Empire established its presence in the Kazakh Steppe by building forts and soon sought to exert greater control and dominance over the Kazakh nomadic tribes. These conflicts shaped the socio-political landscape of the region and influenced the subsequent relationship between the Kazakhs and the Russian Empire. | Asia |
| Pugachev's Rebellion | Peasants' War of 1773-1775 | 18th | 1773 | 1775 | Pugachev's Rebellion, also called the Peasants' War of 1773-1775, was the main revolt in a series of uprisings in the Russian Empire following Empress Catherine the Great's assumption of power in 1762. It was an organised insurrection led by Yemelyan Pugachev, a disenchanted former lieutenant of the Imperial Russian Army, who was keen to abolish serfdom and was initially successful in winning control and territory. However, he was captured and executed in 1775. His story has lived on in legends and literary works, including Pushkin's historical novel, The Captain's Daughter (1836). | Asia |
| Truce of Andrusovo | | 17th | 9 February 1667 | | The Truce of Andrusovo was signed between the Tsardom of Russia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to bring an end to their hostilities. It marked a significant turning point in the Russo-Polish conflict that had been raging since 1654, fought over the territories of present-day Ukraine and Belarus. The truce lasted for thirteen and a half years and while it did not bring a definitive end to the dispute, it provided a temporary respite from the fighting and paved the way for future negotiations and treaties between the two powers. | Asia |
| Treaty of Bakhchisarai | Treaty of Radzin | 17th | 3 January 1681 | | The Treaty of Bakhchisarai, also known as the Treaty of Radzin, was a treaty signed between the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate, marking the end of the Russo-Turkish War of 1676-1681. The treaty established a twenty-year truce and designated the Dnieper River as the boundary between the Ottoman Empire and Moscow's territory. It resulted in the territorial reallocation among neighbouring states and held significant international importance by including provisions for the signing of the Treaty of Eternal Peace between Russia and Poland in 1686. | Asia |
| Treaty of Constantinople of 1700 | Treaty of Istanbul of 1700 | 18th | 13 July 1700 | | The Treaty of Constantinople of 1700, also called the Treaty of Istanbul of 1700, was an agreement between the Tsardom of Russia and the Ottoman Empire marking the end of the Russo-Turkish War of 1686-1700. Russian Tsar Peter the Great secured control over the Azov region, allowing his forces to focus on the Great Northern War. The treaty established a truce lasting thirty years, with the Ottoman Empire recognising Russia's possession of the Azov area and its fortresses. Russia relinquished its claims to the Kerch Strait and demilitarised zones were designated along the Dnieper River. | Asia |
| Treaty of Perpetual Peace of 1686 | Eternal Peace of 1686 | 17th | 16 May 1686 | | The Treaty of Perpetual Peace of 1686, also known as the Eternal Peace of 1686, was signed in Moscow between the Tsardom of Russia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It divided Ukraine, with Russia gaining left-bank Ukraine and Kyiv, while Poland retained right-bank Ukraine and was paid 146,000 roubles as compensation. The treaty confirmed the terms of the earlier Truce of Andrusovo from 1667. By signing the treaty, Russia also joined the anti-Turkish Holy League coalition that included the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Holy Roman Empire, and Venice. | Asia |
| Khasavyurt Accord | | 20th | 30 August 1996 | | The Khasavyurt Accord, or Khasavyurt Joint Declaration and Principles for Mutual Relations, was a peace agreement between the Chechen Republic and Russia that ended the First Chechen War. It aimed to establish a ceasefire and resolve the conflict that had ravaged Chechnya for over two years. It included the withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechen territory, the disarmament of Chechen armed groups, and the establishment of a political dialogue between Russia and Chechnya. It led to the Moscow Peace Treaty in 1997, however Russia nullified that in 1999 and invaded Chechnya again. | Asia |
| Lithuanian-Muscovite War of 1368-1372 | Litovschina | 14th | 17 January 1368 | 12 December 1372 | The Lithuanian-Muscovite War, also known as Litovschina in Russia, were a series of military raids by Algirdas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, against the Grand Duchy of Moscow. They were undertaken to support the Principality of Tver, a rival of Moscow. During the conflict, the Lithuanian forces besieged Moscow and caused significant damage but were unable to capture the Kremlin, the main stronghold of Moscow. In 1372, the Treaty of Lyubutsk was signed to resolve the conflict. In it, the Lithuanians agreed to end their support for Tver, which was subsequently defeated in 1375. | Asia |
| Bolotnikov Rebellion | | 17th | 1606 | 1607 | The Bolotnikov Rebellion, known in Russia as the Peasant War under the Leadership of Ivan Bolotnikov, took place during the Time of Troubles in Russia, a period of political and social crisis from 1598 to 1613, following the death of Tsar Feodor I. Ivan Bolotnikov was a Cossack from the Don region and led this large-scale rebellion to bring attention to the widespread dissatisfaction among peasants, Cossacks and nobles. The rebellion marked the deep social divisions and grievances within Russian society and the difficulties the ruling elite faced in maintaining control and stability. | Asia |
| Russo-Persian War of 1794 | | 18th | April 1796 | November 1796 | The Persian Expedition of Catherine the Great in 1796, also called the Russo-Persian War of 1796, was part of the Russo-Persian Wars during the 18th century. The war was sparked by Russian Empress Catherine the Great, who sought to strengthen her influence over the fragmented territories in the Caucasus region, some of which were historically part of Persia. Although Catherine the Great's various efforts to consolidate control over the Caucasus were significant during her reign, they did not result in any substantial long-term changes for either Russia or Persia. | Asia |
| Russian Civil War | | 20th | 7 November 1917 | 16 June 1923 | The Russian Civil War was a major conflict that took place in Russia in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. It was fought between the Bolshevik Red Army ('the Reds') against a coalition of anti-Bolshevik groups ('the Whites'). The war resulted in the formation of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. It had a devastating impact on the Russian population. It is believed that 300,000 deaths were directly related to the war and executions, while up to 450,000 deaths were caused by diseases and other war-related factors. | Asia |
| War of the Fourth Coalition | | 19th | 9 October 1806 | 9 July 1807 | The War of the Fourth Coalition was fought between the French Empire and the Fourth Coalition, consisting of Russia, Prussia, Saxony, Sweden and the UK. It resulted in the defeat of the Russian army and a decisive victory for the French. It demonstrated Napoleon's military prowess and further solidified his position as a dominant force in Europe. The outcome of the battle compelled Russia to seek peace negotiations with France through the Treaty of Tilsit. This conflict holds historical significance as a major event in the Napoleonic Wars, showcasing Napoleon's military genius. | Asia |
| Bulavin Rebellion | Astrakhan Revolt | 18th | 8 October 1707 | 7 July 1708 | The Bulavin Rebellion, or Astrakhan Revolt, was a war between the Tsardom of Russia and the Cossacks from the Don river region in the south. At the time, the Don Cossacks enjoyed a degree of autonomy and self-governance in Russia, attracting many peasants fleeing from serfdom. However, Peter the Great sought to centralise state authority and abolished Slavic customs, which triggered fierce resistance to the Tsar's forces and the preservation of Cossack customs and traditions. The rebellion was led by Kondraty Bulavin, and ended when he died in 1708. | Asia |
| Caucasian War | Caucasus War | 19th | 1817 | 21 May 1864 | The Caucasian War, also known as the Caucasus War, was a significant military conflict between the Russian Empire and various indigenous peoples of the North Caucasus. The war arose as a result of the Russian Empire's efforts to expand its control and establish dominance over the region, which was strategically important due to its key geographical position between Europe and Asia, valuable resources and trade routes. The war lasted for several decades, and in addition to heavy military losses, 1.2 million civilian lives were lost through violence, genocide, and displacement. | Asia |
| East Prigorodny Conflict | Ossetian-Ingush Conflict | 20th | 30 October 1992 | 6 November 1992 | The East Prigorodny Conflict, also called the Ossetian-Ingush Conflict, was an inter-ethnic conflict in the Prigorodny District in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, a federal subject of Russia. The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the occupation of the originally Ingush region by Ossetian forces throughout the 19th century, as well as the 1944 Stalinist deportation of most Ingush peoples from the region to Central Asia and the Caucasus, to make space for Ossetian settlers. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to an armed and bloody revolt by Ingush nationalists in 1992. | Asia |
| Bezdna Peasant Revolt | Bezdna Unrest | 19th | 12 April 1861 | 12 April 1861 | The Bezdna Peasant Revolt, also known as the Bezdna Unrest, was an uprising that occurred in the Spassky region of the Kazan Governorate in Russia, following the 1861 Russian Emancipation Reform. The unrest was triggered by the misinterpretation of the new reforms, with the former serf peasants claiming more freedom than their landlords were giving them. The revolt gained momentum quickly, and came to a violent head on 12 April 1861, when the authorities sent military troops to suppress the revolt, made 100-300 casualties, and arrested the rebel leader, Anton Petrov. | Asia |
| Russo-Turkish War of 1806–1812 | Alexander I's Turkish War | 19th | 22 December 1806 | 28 May 1812 | The Russo-Turkish War of 1806–1812, also known as Alexander I's Turkish War, was a military conflict between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, and one in a longer list of Russo-Ottoman Wars that took place over several centuries. The war unfolded in reaction to growing concerns about the expansionist ambitions of Napoleon Bonaparte across Europe. Both empires wanted to reassert their influence across the continent. In 1812, the Treaty of Bucharest was signed to end the Russo-Turkish War, 13 days before Napoleon began his invasion of Russia. | Asia |
| Decembrist Revolt | Nicholas I's Turkish War | 19th | 26 December 1825 | | The Decembrist Revolt was a revolt in response to the sudden death of Tsar Alexander I, led by military officers in the Russian aristocracy. The Decembrists were influenced by the ideals of the Enlightenment spreading across Europe during that time and sought to establish a constitutional monarchy and bring about political reforms in Russia. The insurrection was poorly organised and easily suppressed, but the Decembrist Revolt had a significant impact on Russian society and politics as one of the first organised attempts to challenge the autocratic rule of the Tsar in Russia. | Asia |
| Russian Revolution of 1905 | First Russian Revolution | 20th | 22 January 1905 | 16 June 1907 | The Russian Revolution of 1905, also known as the First Russian Revolution, was a period of mass political and social unrest across the Russian Empire. The revolution was notable for the Bloody Sunday massacre, when the Imperial Guard fired at peaceful demonstrators in St. Petersburg, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The uprising finally led to the introduction of a Russian Constitution and a multi-party system, even if significant power remained with Tsar Nicholas II. It also foreshadowed the upheavals that would ultimately lead to the downfall of the Tsarist regime in 1917. | Asia |
| February Revolution | February Bourgeois Democratic Revolution | 20th | 8 March 1917 | 16 March 1917 | The February Revolution, also called the February Bourgeois Democratic Revolution by the Soviets, was one of two revolutions that occurred in Russia in 1917. The revolution began in Petrograd (present-day St. Petersburg) when a series of protests erupted in response to food shortages, high prices, and discontent with the ongoing WWI. The February Revolution paved the way for the October Revolution later that year, when the Bolsheviks successfully seized power and established a socialist government, leading to the end of the Romanov dynasty and the collapse of the Russian Empire. | Asia |
| October Revolution | Bolshevik Revolution | 20th | 6 November 1917 | 7 November 1917 | The October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was a pivotal event during the Russian Revolution of 1917-1923 in which the communist Bolshevik party came to power in Russia. Led by Vladimir Lenin, an armed insurrection took place in Petrograd, present-day Saint Petersburg, resulting in the overthrow of the Provisional Government that had been in place since the February Revolution's collapse of Tsarist autocracy. The October Revolution served as a catalyst for the Russian Civil War, a major conflict that ensued between the Bolsheviks and various opposing forces. | Asia |
| Russo-Turkish War of 1568-1570 | Astrakhan Expedition | 16th | 1568 | 1570 | The Russo-Turkish War of 1568–1570, called the Astrakhan Expedition in Ottoman sources, was a conflict between the Tsardom of Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The war was primarily fought over control of the Astrakhan Khanate, which had been previously conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1556 and this had allowed him to build a new fortress overlooking the Volga River. The Ottoman side suffered heavy losses, as their fleet was destroyed and many soldiers froze to death in the steppes. The war was the first in a series of twelve Russo-Turkish conflicts across the following four centuries. | Asia |
| Ottoman-Persian War of 1821-1823 | Turko-Iranian War | 19th | 10 September 1821 | 23 July 1823 | The Ottoman-Persian War of 1821-1823, also known as the Turko-Iranian War, took place from 10 September 1821 to 23 July 1823. It was one of a series of wars between Qajar Iran and the Ottoman Empire. War was triggered when the Ottomans gave shelter to rebel tribes of Iran’s Azerbaijan Province. Russia allied with Iran to initiate the war with the aim of weakening the Ottomans in the Greek Revolution. Iranian forces invaded Ottoman territory, to which the Ottomans responded with an attempt at a counter-invasion of Iranian territory. The Ottomans were eventually defeated in the Battle of Erzurum, which marked the end of the war. | Asia |
| 2022 Kyrgyz-Tajik Clashes | | 21st | 27 January 2022 | 20 September 2022 | The 2022 Kyrgyz-Tajik clashes refer to a series of five border clashes that took place from 27 January 2022 to 20 September 2022 on the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border. The conflict followed the 2021 clashes, which sources report started due to a water dispute between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the installation of surveillance cameras near the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border. Tensions resurfaced in January 2022, initiated by Kyrgyzstan due to a roadblock in Kyrgyzstan by Tajik citizens. Both sides stated that negotiations would resolve the border conflict, and a peace deal was agreed on 20 September 2022. | Asia |
| Russo-Georgian War | Five-Day War | 21st | 7 August 2008 | 12 August 2008 | The Russo-Georgian War, also known as the Five-Day War, began on 7 August 2008 between Georgia and Russian-backed South Ossetia and Abkhazia when a diplomatic crisis between Russia and Georgia was declared and Russian-backed South Ossetian forces attacked Georgian villages. The war was rooted in the South Ossetian and Abkhazian separatist conflicts in Georgia that had occurred since Georgia left the Soviet Union in 1991. Georgia sent armed forces aiming to end the attacks, while Russia sent troops supporting Abkhazia and South Ossetia in attacking Georgia. A ceasefire was agreed on 12 August 2008. | Asia |
| Katoch-Sikh War | | 19th | 1801 | 1801 | The Katoch-Sikh War took place between 1801 to 1804 in Bajwara, Hoshiarpur, in the present-day district of the Punjab in northern India. The war was fought between Sikh and Katoch forces when Raja Sansar Chand Katoch of the Kangra State aimed to expand his influence into neighbouring territories. Sansar Chand entered Sikh leader Sada Kaur’s territories and continued to advance into Bajwara where he built a fort. In retaliation, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire in 1804 led armed forces that drove Sansar Chand from Sikh territory. | Asia |
| 1837 Poonch Revolt | | 19th | 1837 | 1837 | The 1837 Poonch Revolt, also known as the 1837 Poonch Rebellion, took place in Poonch, present-day Poonch Division, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan when tribes of the Poonch state rebelled against the rule of Dhian Singh and Raja Gulab Singh of the Dogra dynasty of the Sikh Empire. Sardar Shams Khan, chief of the Sudhan tribe, had been a follower of Dhian Singh, but after the death of Hari Singh Nalwa, he led the Sudhan along with other tribes and Pahari-speaking people in an insurgency against the Sikhs. The Sikhs, led by Maharaja Gulab Singh, ultimately suppressed the rebellion and defeated the rebels. | Asia |
| India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship | | 20th | 31 July 1950 | | The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed on 31 July 1950 in Kathmandu, Nepal by India and Nepal. The treaty was to establish a close relationship between the two parties, agreeing to respect and recognise each other’s sovereignty, integrity, and independence. Nepal’s Rana Regime and India were concerned about Communism in China after the invasion of Tibet. India responded by strengthening their Himalayan frontier policy through an alliance with Nepal. The treaty confirmed free movement of people and goods between the countries and set out a supportive agreement on defence and foreign policy. | Asia |
| Buraimi War | Buraimi Oasis Dispute | 20th | 28 January 1952 | 25 October 1955 | The Buraimi War, or the Buraimi Oasis Dispute, refers to a territorial dispute that took place from 28 January 1952 to 25 October 1955 between Saudi Arabia against the Sultan of Muscat and Oman and Abu Dhabi of the Trucial States, present-day United Arab Emirates over claims to the oil rich Buraimi Oasis. The Saudis, aiming to recapture Buraimi, advanced into the region. The Sultan of Muscat and Oman organised forces in response, but the British persuaded them not to attack. Oman, Aden, and a British-backed force blockaded Buraimi until a ceasefire was agreed. Buraimi was subsequently split between Oman and Abu Dhabi. | Asia |
| Mughal-Rajput War | | 16th, 17th, 18th | 1526 | 1779 | The Mughal-Maratha Wars, also known as the Deccan Wars, were fought between the Mughal Empire and the Maratha Empire between 1680 and 1707 following the death of the Maratha’s ruler Shivaji Maharaj. The wars were primarily over territorial dominance and were rooted in a history of friction between the Hindi Maratha Empire and Muslim Mughal Empire due to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s taxation on non-Muslims and prior Maratha attacks on the Mughals. The Mughal Empire wanted to suppress the power of the Marathas and invaded the Deccan Peninsula where they were based. The wars ended when Aurangzeb died in 1707. | Asia |
| Syrian Peasant Revolt | | 19th | 1834 | 1835 | The Syrian Peasant Revolt began in 1834 and was led by local peasant classes against Egypt’s rule of Ottoman Syria in present-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel. The resistance opposed Egypt’s rule due to conscription, taxation, disarmament orders and Ottoman loyalism. The uprising mainly occurred in Damascus Eyalet, Jerusalem, Nablus, Hebron, and Al-Karak, corresponding to areas in present-day Syria, Israel, Palestine and Jordan, and in Sidon Eyalet of present-day Israel and Lebanon. In 1835, Egypt’s troops suppressed the revolt. | Asia |
| Rajput War | Rathore War of Independence | 17th, 18th | 1679 | 1707 | The Rajput War, also known as the Rathore War of Independence, refers to a conflict between the Mughal Empire and the Rajputs of Marwar between 1679 and 1707. After the death of the Rathore ruler, the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, intervened in Marwar’s succession due to unpaid debts to the Mughals. The Marwar Rajputs resisted Aurangzeb’s plans but Aurangzeb seized Jodhpur, the capital of the Kingdom of Marwar, in present-day Rajasthan, India, and aimed to split Marwar in two. Conflict between the two sides ensued and following the death of Aurangzeb, the Rajputs evicted the Mughals from the region. | Asia |
| May Uprising | | 20th | 10 May 1920 | 14 May 1920 | The May Uprising took place between 10 to 14 May 1920 and was a coup d’état in the First Republic of Armenia. The Armenian Communist Party had been founded earlier in 1920 and was encouraged to stage a revolt after the Red Army Invasion of Azerbaijan and Bolshevik advances in the South Caucasus. The Armenian Bolsheviks led demonstrations that evolved into a revolt against the Armenian government, and they successfully took power in Alexandropol, Kars, and Sarikamiş. Armenian military units entered Alexandropol and suppressed the revolt and the government established control of Armenia. | Asia |
| 1974-1975 Shatt al-Arab Conflict | | 20th | April 1974 | March 1975 | The 1974-75 Shatt al-Arab Conflict began in April 1974 due to territorial disputes between Iran and Ba’athist Iraq over the Shatt al-Arab waterway and Iran’s support of Iraqi Kurdish guerrillas. Iran withdrew from an earlier treaty, which had ended disputes over the waterway, when their aims to negotiate a new treaty with Ba’athist Iraq were refused. Border skirmishes followed and Iraqi and Iranian military attacked one another, while Iran armed Kurdish separatists. The conflict ended in March 1975 when Iraq agreed to Iran’s status on the waterway and Iran stopped supporting Iraqi Kurds. | Asia |
| Andijan Massacre | | 21st | 13 May 2005 | 13 May 2005 | The Andijan Massacre took place on 13 May 2005 in Andijan, Uzbekistan. During the trial of 23 men charged with being Islamic extremists, demonstrations had been carried out. Supporters of the defendants broke into the prison where the men were held and occupied administrative buildings, took law enforcement and government officials hostage, and demanded that the president resign. Protests demanding an end to poverty and government corruption and repression ensued. In response, the Uzbek National Security Service launched a major attack on the protesters without warning. | Asia |
| Fergana Massacre | | 20th | 3 June 1989 | 12 June 1989 | The Fergana Massacre took place in the Fergana Valley of Soviet Uzbekistan from 3 to 12 June 1989. Riots had erupted between native Uzbeks and the Meskhetian Turks who had been exiled to Uzbekistan from their homeland of Akhaltsikhe, along the Georgia’s border with Turkey and corresponding to the Meskheti region in present-day Georgia. The riots developed into the massacre of the Meskhetian Turks and other minorities by Uzbek nationalist extremists. Many Meskhetian Turks were killed, injured, or fled, primarily to Azerbaijan. | Asia |
| 1990 Osh Riots | | 20th | 4 June 1990 | 6 June 1990 | The Osh Riots began on 4 June 1990 between Kyrgyz and Uzbek people in Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, present-day Kyrgyzstan. Tensions had increased between the Osh government and Uzbek nationalists who had petitioned for greater representation and cultural freedom while Kyrgyz nationalists petitioned about redistributing privatised land. Both groups were angered by the authorities who distributed Uzbek land to the Kyrgyz. Violence between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks commenced in Lenin Kolkhoz and spread to Osh and Uzgen. The Soviet Army was called in and on 6 June 1990 the riots ended. | Asia |
| Rose Revolution | Revolution of Roses | 21st | 3 November 2003 | 23 November 2003 | The Rose Revolution, also known as the Revolution of Roses, took place in Georgia between 3 and 23 November 2003. Anti-government demonstrations led by the Georgian president’s former political allies began in Tbilisi, Georgia, in opposition to the Georgian government over economic issues, electoral fraud, corruption, and manipulation following the 2003 parliamentary elections. Foreign support for the Georgian president, Eduard Shevardnadze, had diminished prior to the revolution. The revolution spread and ultimately forced President Shevardnadze and the Citizens’ Union of Georgia to resign. | Asia |
| Ottoman-Persian War of 1743-1746 | | 18th | 1 November 1743 | 1 July 1746 | The Ottoman-Persian War of 1743-1746 was one of a series of wars between Iran and the Ottoman Empire that began after an earlier war had ended in a stalemate. Nader Shah, the Afsharid Iranian ruler, aimed to expand his empire and recapture Baghdad from the Ottomans. Nader Shah advanced into areas of present-day Iraq but retreated due to the Mosul Pasha’s defence and revolts in Persia. Ottoman forces helped Georgia to challenge Persian influence, the Battle of Kars between the Iranian and Ottoman army took place, and a revolt erupted in Persia. The war ended in a status quo ante bellum. | Asia |
| Mughal-Maratha Wars | Deccan Wars | 17th, 18th | 1680 | 1707 | The Mughal-Rajput Wars refer to a series of wars between the Rajput Confederacy and the Mughal Empire that took place from 1526 to 1779. The wars began when the Timurid ruler, Babur, who became the founder of the Mughal Empire, invaded north-western India. Babur aimed to conquer India and was inspired by Timur’s invasions of India in 1398. The Rajput Confederacy opposed Babur and threatened to fortify their control in northern India. Battles ensued over the following years until the Mughals accepted a peace treaty with the Rajput Rajas that agreed for the Rajputs to be made governors of Malwa, Sindh, and Gujarat. | Asia |
| War on ISIS | War Against the Islamic State | 21st | 13 June 2014 | January 2020 | The War on ISIS, or the War Against the Islamic State, refers to a United States-led coalition including Saudi Arabia and Jordan against the Islamic State, also known as ISIL and ISIS, and other jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq. The war began on 13 June 2014 following the United States-coalition forming a multinational military group aiming to support military operations, expose the nature of ISIS, and cut off their funding. The coalition and Iran led campaigns against ISIS, which claimed they were the caliphate, and had previously seized territory. By January 2020, Iraq and Syria had reclaimed ISIS-held areas. | Asia |
| 2021 Israel-Palestine Crisis | | 21st | 6 May 2021 | 21 May 2021 | The 2021 Israel-Palestine Crisis occurred between 6 and 21 May 2021. The crisis erupted when Palestinians protested Israeli authorities’ decision to evict Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah. After increasing tensions, Israeli troops used force on the protesters who also threw stones at them. Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and carried out violent and oppressive actions towards Palestinians. Hamas responded with rocket attacks into Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes into the Gaza Strip. The crisis ended with a ceasefire mediated by Egypt. | Asia |
| 2006 Israel-Gaza Conflict | Operation Summer Rains | 21st | 28 June 2006 | 26 November 2006 | The 2006 Israel-Gaza Conflict, also known as Operation Summer Rains, took place from 28 June to 26 November 2006 after Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the victory of Hamas in the 2006 Palestinian legislative election. The conflict was triggered when Palestinian militants captured an Israeli soldier. Hamas wanted Israel to release Palestinian prisoners, while Israel wanted to secure the Israeli soldier’s release and stop rocket-fire into Israel. Warfare between Palestinian militant groups and Israeli forces ensued after failed negotiations. The conflict ended with a ceasefire. | Asia |
| Jafar Sultan Revolt | | 20th | 1931 | 1931 | The Jafar Sultan Revolt occurred in 1931 when Kurdish tribes revolted against Pahlavi Iran in Iranian Kurdistan. The revolt was an early expression of Kurdish separatism in Iran and was led by Jafar Sultan of Hewraman, a region in the Kurdistan provinces of present-day western Iran and north-eastern Iraq. Jafar Sultan had controlled Marivan and Hewraman until 1925 when the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran controlled the region. In the Autumn of 1931, Kurdish rebels revolted, but their actions were suppressed. | Asia |
| Hama Rashid Revolt | | 20th | 1941 | 1944 | The Hama Rashid Revolt was a Kurdish separatist tribal revolt that took place in two phases, the first between 1941 and 1942 and the second in 1944. It occurred in Iran when Muhammed Rashid led Kurdish tribes against Pahlavi Iran. The Pahlavis wanted to prevent Kurdish independence, while Kurdish tribes wanted to be reinstated with lost land and demanded employment of their leaders in Tehran. The Iranian government attempted to make a deal, while Hama Rashid seized territory in central Kurdistan. Rashid eventually retreated when Iran supported a neighbouring territory. | Asia |
| 1967 Kurdish Revolt in Iran | | 20th | March 1967 | 1968 | The 1967 Kurdish Revolt in Iran was part of the long-running Kurdish separatist conflict in Iran. The revolt aimed to establish Kurdish autonomy in Iran and was triggered by news of the First Iraqi-Kurdish War in 1961 and the resurgence of the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran. The Iranian Kurdish National movement of the Kurdish Democratic Party changed leadership to mainly Iranian Tudeh Party leaders, who in turn formed a Revolutionary Committee and supported uprisings by peasants against the Iranian National Police. Iranian government forces crushed the revolt after 18 months. | Asia |
| 1979 Kurdish Rebellion in Iran | | 20th | March 1979 | 1983 | The 1979 Kurdish Rebellion in Iran began in mid-March 1979. The rebellion occurred after the Iranian Revolution and the establishment of a new state in Iran when relations between the Kurds and the new government had broken down. The Kurds aimed for independence and captured territory in Iran. In 1980, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian government troops launched an offensive, and sieges in retaliation resulted in Kurdish militants being forced out of their strongholds. Clashes between government troops and Kurdish rebels continued until 1983. | Asia |
| KDPI Insurgency | | 20th | 13 July 1989 | 23 August 1996 | The KDPI Insurgency refers to the insurgency of the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran that took place from 13 July 1989 to 23 August 1996. Tensions increased due to the assassination of the leader of the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI),which was suspected to be inflicted by Iranian government agents. The KDPI renewed conflict against Iran’s government when a demonstration against the execution of Kurdish activists resulted in the arrest of Kurdish protesters. Conflict between Iranian Kurdish militants and Iranian forces ensued, and attacks also took place in Iraq. A ceasefire was agreed in 1996. | Asia |
| Mahabad Riots | | 21st | May 2015 | May 2015 | The Mahabad Riots began on 7 May 2015 in Mahabad, Iran, following the death of the Kurdish woman Farinaz Khosravani. It was reported that Khosravani fell out of the window of the hotel where she worked after an Iranian Revolutionary Guard had raped her, but the Mahabad police chief denied the guard’s connection to Iranian security. Riots led by Kurds erupted and the hotel was set on fire. Violence spread across Kurdish areas in Iran and evolved into clashes between Kurds and the police. The Iranian government deployed troops that executed and arrested supporters of the protests. | Asia |
| Seven-Day War | Operation Accountability | 20th | 25 July 1993 | 31 July 1993 | The Seven-Day War, also known as Operation Accountability, took place from 25 to 31 July 1993 in Lebanon and northern Israel. The war was fought between Israel and Hezbollah and was part of an ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah was in opposition to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, while Israel aimed to strike at them, to stop them from striking at Israel from southern Lebanon and to displace refugees so that the Lebanese government would intervene against Hezbollah. After a week of both sides attacking one another, including civilian attacks, a ceasefire was agreed. | Asia |
| Operation Grapes of Wrath | April Aggression | 20th | 11 April 1996 | 27 April 1996 | Operation Grapes of Wrath, also known as the April Aggression, took place between 11 to 27 April 1996 in Lebanon and northern Israel. It refers to Israel’s military campaign against the Lebanese Shia political party and militant group, Hezbollah, after a cycle of retaliatory attacks between them. Israel aimed to end Hezbollah’s attacks on their country by creating a humanitarian crisis that would pressure Lebanese and Syrian governments to intervene. Hezbollah fired into northern Israel in retaliation to Israel’s shelling and air raids. The conflict ended when a ceasefire was agreed. | Asia |
| Samu Incident | Battle of Samu | 20th | 13 November 1966 | 13 November 1966 | The Samu Incident, also known as the Battle of Samu, occurred on 13 November 1966 in Samu in the Jordanian West Bank when Israeli forces led a large-scale attack that destroyed villages and clashed with Jordan’s forces. Israel aimed to avenge an attack by the Palestinian nationalist group, al-Fatah, that killed Israeli soldiers and purportedly originated from Jordan even though Jordan’s king had attempted to limit Fatah activity in Jordan. Other sources state that Israel aimed to test the United Arab Command’s support of Jordan. The conflict was a contributing factor to the Six-Day War. | Asia |
| 2008 Lebanon Conflict | 6 May 2008 Clashes | 21st | 7 May 2008 | 14 May 2008 | The 2008 Lebanon Conflict, also known as the 7 May 2008 Clashes, from 7 to 14 May 2008 in Lebanon, was triggered by the government’s decision to dismantle Hezbollah’s telecommunication network and to remove Beirut Airport’s head of security when it was alleged that he had ties to Hezbollah. Violence between pro-government and opposition protesters erupted in the climate of a general strike about wages and consumer prices. Conflicts erupted in Beirut between pro-government and opposition militias and spread nationwide. The Arab League brokered an end to the violence with the Doha Agreement. | Asia |
| Cave of the Patriarchs Massacre | Hebron Massacre | 20th | 25 February 1994 | 25 February 1994 | The Cave of the Patriarchs Massacre, also known as the Hebron Massacre, took place in the Ibrahimi Mosque, Hebron, West Bank, on 25 February 1994 during Ramadan and on Purim, a Jewish festival. The massacre was carried out by an American-Israeli extremist, Baruch Goldstein, of the banned Kach movement, who fired at Palestinian Muslims in the mosque. Goldstein aimed to avenge the Kach leader’s death and Jews generally. The massacre triggered protests by Palestinians, and violent confrontation between the Israeli military and Palestinians ensued, in which Palestinians were killed. | Asia |
| Surafend Massacre | Surafend Affair | 20th | 10 December 1918 | 10 December 1918 | The Surafend Massacre, also known as the Surafend Affair, took place on the 10 December 1918 in the Arab village of Surafend, present-day Tzrifin, Israel, and a Bedouin camp in Palestine. After the 1918 Armistice, the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division camped near the Jewish settlement of Rishon LeZion. Australian and New Zealand soldiers carried out the massacre in retribution to a New Zealand soldier being shot by a thief he found in his tent. The soldiers traced the killer’s footprints near to Surafend where they attacked villagers and torched houses and a Bedouin camp. | Asia |
| 1860 Syrian Civil War | Druze-Maronite Massacre of 1860 | 19th | 23 May 1860 | 11 July 1860 | The 1860 Syrian Civil War, also known as the Druze-Maronite Massacre of 1860, took place from 27 May to 11 July 1860 between Christians and the Druze in Mount Lebanon and Damascus in the Ottoman Empire, present-day Lebanon. Friction between the groups rose due to Ottoman reforms on equal status, the expansion of European presence in the region, and religious tensions. The Ottomans aimed to divide Mount Lebanon between the Christians and Druzes, but conflict, looting, murders and skirmishes occurred. War broke out with the Druze supported by the Ottomans against the Christians, who were massacred. | Asia |
| Massacre of Aleppo | The Events | 19th | 17 October 1850 | 8 November 1850 | The Massacre of Aleppo, also known simply as The Events, began on 17 October 1850 in Aleppo, Syria. Tension between Christians and Muslims had risen due to discontent with social reforms, taxes, and forced conscription by the Ottoman Caliphate that attempted to modernise the region. The threat of conscription triggered Muslims to riot, which spread to Christian quarters where Christians were massacred. The rioters wanted to stop conscription, restrict aspects of Christian procession, and stop Christians owning slaves. A change in governor gave rise to conflict that lasted until 8 November 1850. | Asia |
| 1517 Safed Attacks | | 16th | 1517 | 1517 | The 1517 Safed Attacks was a pogrom against Jews in Safed or Tzfat, present-day Israel, in 1517. At the tail-end of the Mamluk Sultanate’s defeat by the invading Ottoman Empire in the Ottoman-Mamluk War of 1516-1517, the Mamluks clashed with their new Ottoman authorities. The Mamluks and some Arab villagers believed the Jewish community had helped the Ottomans, and so led a pogrom against them. The impact of the clashes between the Ottomans and Mamluks on the Jews is contested by some sources, while others state that the pogrom was the result of the attempts of local Mamluk sheikhs to reassert their control. | Asia |
| Siege of Jaffa | Jaffa Massacre of 1799 | 18th | 3 March 1799 | 7 March 1799 | The Siege of Jaffa, also known as the Jaffa Massacre, took place between 3 and 7 March 1799 in Jaffa, Sidon Eyalet, Ottoman Empire, present-day Israel. Napoleon Bonaparte led a French army into Jaffa while Ottoman forces defended the city. Napoleon wanted to continue his campaign of capturing Ottoman territory and seized Jaffa as part of his mission to solidify his hold in the Levant. The French led a ruthless campaign into Jaffa after the city refused an order to surrender and the Ottomans decapitated the French messengers. The French successfully seized Jaffa and many civilians left the city. | Asia |
| 1935-1936 Iraqi Shia Revolts | 1935 Rumaitha and Diwaniya Revolt | 20th | 1935 | 1936 | The 1935 Rumaitha and Diwaniya Revolt, also known as the 1935-1936 Iraqi Shia Revolts, took place in Iraq when Shia tribes and the Party of National Brotherhood revolted against the majority Sunni authority of Iraq. The rebellions occurred due to the lack of representation of Shias in the Iraqi government. Unrest in Iraq rose in January 1935 because of this, later spreading to Al Diwaniyah in Iraq. The Iraqi air force and army used force to defeat the Shia tribesmen and suppressed the revolt in May 1935. In 1936, another Shia uprising attacked the Iraqi air force and troops. | Asia |
| Qibya Massacre | Qibya Operation | 20th | 14 October 1953 | 14 October 1953 | The Qibya Massacre, also known as the Qibya Operation, took place on 14 October 1953, in Qibya in the Jordanian-controlled West Bank, present-day Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, Palestine. Israeli troops carried out the massacre on the Palestinian civilians of Qibya as an act of retribution to the Yehud attack of 12 October 1953 in which three Israeli civilians were killed by a Palestinian fedayeen squad. The Qibya raid took place against a background of cross-border infiltration between neighbouring states and Israel, mostly for economic or social reasons, with some infiltrators carrying out violence. | Asia |
| 1920 Nebi Musa Riots | 1920 Jerusalem Riots | 21st | 4 April 2020 | 4 April 2020 | The 1920 Nebu Musa Riots, also known as the 1920 Jerusalem Riots, took place in the Old City of Jerusalem, British-controlled area of Occupied Enemy Territory Administration, present-day East Jerusalem occupied by Israel, from 4 to 7 April 1920. The riots between Arabs and Jews erupted during the Nebi Musa festival in reaction to Arab anger at the Balfour Declaration and rising inter-communal tension between Arabs and Jews in Mandatory Palestine. The British military of Palestine had withdrawn their troops from Jerusalem and were slow to regain control after the riots. | Asia |
| 1933 Palestine Riots | Jaffa Massacre of 1933 | 20th | 13 October 1922 | 29 October 1922 | The 1933 Palestine Riots, also known as the Jaffa Massacre of 1933, refers to the riots and killings of Palestinians by police in Mandatory Palestine, present-day Israel and Palestine. The riots began on 13 October 1933 at an Arab Executive Committee-organised demonstration responding to unrestricted Jewish migration and British facilitation of Jewish land purchases. The High Commissioner banned the protest and British police broke it up, but at a march in Jaffa, they fired at the crowd. Rioting and violence between police and Arabs occurred in the rest of Mandatory Palestine until 29 October 1933. | Asia |
| Red Army Invasion of Azerbaijan | Soviet Invasion of Azerbaijan | 20th | 27 April 1920 | 28 April 1920 | The Red Army Invasion of Azerbaijan, also known as the Soviet invasion of Azerbaijan, took place from 27 April to 28 April 1920. Soviet Russia invaded the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic with the intent to instal a Soviet government and to secure access to Baku in Azerbaijan for oil supplies. While the Azerbaijani government lost support and failed to form a new cabinet, the Azerbaijani Communist Party grew and organised a coup with the Turkish Communist Party. The Red Army subsequently invaded. Azerbaijan Democratic Republic fell as a result, and the Azerbaijani Revolutionary Committee was formed. | Asia |
| 1622-1623 Mughal-Safavid War | | 17th | 1622 | 1623 | The Mughal-Safavid War of 1622-1623 was fought between the Persian Safavid Empire and the Mughal Empire over control of Kandahar, an important fortress city in Afghanistan situated in the middle of the two empires. The Safavid leader, Shah Abbas, intended to recapture Kandahar, which his empire had lost in 1595. The Safavids attempted to reclaim Kandahar in 1605, but the Mughals fought back and the Safavids retreated. In June 1622, the Safavids led another siege, in which they defeated the Mughals. | Asia |
| Inn Din Massacre | | 21st | 2 September 2017 | 2 September 2017 | The Inn Din Massacre refers to a mass killing of Rohingyas, an ethnic minority persecuted by Myanmar and nationalist Buddhists, which took place on 2 September 2017. The massacre was carried out by local paramilitary police officers and the Myanmar Army in Inn Din, Rakhine State, Myanmar, in retaliation to civilian attacks by Rohingya insurgents in August 2017. The perpetrators believed that the Rohingyas of Inn Din were members of the Rohingya nationalist group, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA),that carried out the attacks and whose objective was to liberate Rohingyas from oppression. | Asia |
| 1947 Poonch Rebellion | | 20th | June 1947 | October 1947 | The 1947 Poonch Rebellion occurred from June to October 1947 in the Poonch jagir, a district of Jammu and Kashmir, split between present-day India and Pakistan. Kashmiri rebels of Poonch led a rebellion backed by Pakistan. Poonch’s loss of autonomy, increased taxes, repression, and poor employment for demobilised soldiers had caused discontent and resentment among the Muslim people of Poonch who wanted to join Pakistan. The rebellion was a contributing factor to the First Kashmir War. | Asia |
| 1838 Druze Revolt | | 19th | 1 January 1828 | 23 July 1828 | The 1838 Druze Revolt occurred from January to July 1838 when the Druze of Mount Lebanon in Ottoman Syria, present-day Lebanon, revolted against the rule of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt who had invaded the region in 1831. The Druze resisted Pasha’s authority, while Pasha considered the Druze heretics. The uprising was triggered by Egypt’s instigation of conscription and disarmament that was opposed by the Druze. The Druze aimed to force the Egyptians out of the area, but Egypt and allied forces from Syria aggressively suppressed the revolt and restored their rule in Mount Lebanon. | Asia |
| 1974 Treaty of Jeddah | | 20th | 21 August 1974 | | The Treaty of Jeddah was signed on 21 August 1974 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The treaty aimed to resolve the border disputes between the two countries, as well as the Buraimi Dispute. The treaty was agreed after failed negotiations and the defeat and removal of Saudi troops in Buraimi part of present-day United Arab Emirates. The treaty included discrepancies between the oral and written agreement, which the United Arab Emirates has disputed and since aimed to resolve with Saudi Arabia. | Asia |
| Ottoman-Persian War of 1775-1776 | | 18th | 1775 | 1776 | The Ottoman-Persian War of 1775-1776 was fought between the Ottoman Empire and the Zand dynasty of Persia who began an invasion of southern Iraq, which was under Ottoman rule at the time. The Zand dynasty had taken over parts of Persia after the collapse of Nāder Shah’s Ashfarid dynasty of Persia with whom the Ottomans had made a prior peace treaty. The Zand dynasty led a siege of Basra, a city in Iraq. The Ottomans were unable to send their own troops to defend the city and instead relied on the Mamluk governors of Baghdad to provide forces. The war resulted in the Persian army successfully capturing Basra. | Asia |
| Palestinian Fedayeen Insurgency | | 20th | 1949 | 1956 | The Palestinian Fedayeen Insurgency from 1949 to 1956 was fought in the All-Palestine Protectorate of Gaza City, a client state of Egypt, present-day Gaza Strip. Palestinian civilians were entering Israel for economic reasons, with Israel stating that border infiltration was illegal. Nationalist Palestinian fedayeen militants then crossed the border into Israel to commit violent attacks, with Israel retaliating with force to convince Arab leaders to stop the fedayeen’s actions. The fedayeen then operated from Egypt, and Israel led a raid into the Gaza Strip. | Asia |
| Taif Agreement | National Reconciliation Accord | 20th | 22 October 1989 | | The Taif Agreement, also known as the National Reconciliation Accord, was signed in Taif, Saudi Arabia on 22 October 1989. The agreement sought to end the Lebanese Civil War between the Maronite Christians and Palestinian forces, which Israel and Syria also were involved in. The agreement’s terms included to re-establish the Lebanese government’s authority from Israel’s occupation in southern Lebanon, for Syrian forces to withdraw from Lebanon, to divide the Lebanese cabinet equally between Muslims and Christians, and for national and non-national militias to be disarmed. | Asia |
| Siachen War | Siachen Glacier Conflict | 20th | 13 April 1984 | 25 November 1989 | The Siachen War, also known as the Siachen Glacier Conflict, took place between 13 April 1984 and 25 November 2003. It was fought by India and Pakistan over territorial claims to the Siachen Glacier region in Kashmir. The conflict was rooted in the fact that the region’s territory is incompletely demarcated on the map and prior treaties had not confirmed who controlled the glacier. Warfare between Indian and Pakistani troops ensued and India captured the Siachen Glacier, tributary glaciers and other passes and heights, part of present-day Ladakh, Kashmir. The war ended with a ceasefire. | Asia |
| Tafas Massacre | | 20th | 27 September 1918 | 27 September 1918 | The Tafas Massacre took place in Tafas, Ottoman Syria, present-day southern Syria. The massacre was carried out by the Ottoman Empire’s Army on civilians of Tafas on 27 September 1918 when the Ottomans were retreating after World War I. The Ottomans committed the massacre with the aim of demoralising the British and Arab forces who were pursuing the army. In a state of anger after seeing what had happened to Tafas, a British commander who led Arab forces ordered troops to attack the Ottoman army. | Asia |
| Persian-Uzbek Wars | | 16th | 1502 | 1510 | The Persian-Uzbek Wars took place from 1502 to 1510 and were fought between the Safavid dynasty of Iran and the Shaybanid dynasty who controlled most of present-day Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and parts of southern Russia. The war was prompted by the Shaybanid’s raid of the Timurid Empire when the Timurid ruler of Herat asked the Safavids for help. The Shaybanids seized Herat in present-day Afghanistan and an alliance between Timurid and Persian forces fought against the dynasty’s Uzbek army. The war resulted in the defeat of the Shaybanids and the fall of their empire. | Asia |
| 1947 Jammu Massacres | | 20th | October 1947 | November 1947 | The 1947 Jammu Massacres took place between October 1947 and November 1947 in the Jammu province, Jammu and Kashmir. The massacre refers to the mass killing of Muslims by extremist Hindus and Sikhs who were supported by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh. Hari Singh wanted Jammu and Kashmir to remain independent following the Partition of India, but the Muslim Conference opposed this and wanted to join Pakistan. Sources differ on whether the motivation behind the massacres was to eliminate the Muslims of the region and ensure a Hindu majority, or whether it was revenge over the 1947 Poonch Rebellion. | Asia |
| Sumgait Pogrom | | 20th | 27 February 1988 | 1 March 1988 | The Sumgait Pogrom occurred from 27 February to 1 March 1988 in Sumgait, Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, present-day Azerbaijan. The perpetrators of the massacre were mobs of ethnic Azerbaijanis who carried out mass killings, rape, and rioting against Armenians. The massacre aimed to suppress Armenian free expression and was in response to the Armenian desire for self-determination. After the rioting erupted on 27 February, external military units attempted to suppress the chaos, and government forces imposed martial law and a curfew. | Asia |
| Simla Agreement | | 20th | 2 July 1972 | | The Simla Agreement was a peace treaty that was signed on 2 July 1972 in Barnes Court, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. The treaty was signed following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 when India allied with Bengali rebels against Pakistani forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War. The war resulted in the formation of Bangladesh, and the treaty confirmed the end of the conflict. The treaty aimed to normalise relations between India and Pakistan as well as plan for diplomatic recognition of Bangladesh. | Asia |
| Delhi Agreement | | 20th | 9 April 1973 | 28 August 1973 | The Delhi Agreement was signed by India, Pakistan and Bangladesh on 9 April 1973 in New Delhi, India, following the Simla Agreement. Bengalis had been interned in West Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War by the Pakistani government, while Pakistani prisoners of war were held in India after the Surrender of Pakistan. The treaty agreed to the repatriation of the Bangladeshi and Pakistani citizens, prisoners of war and interned officers after the war ended, but was met with criticism as it did not include a war crimes tribunal or hold military personnel to account for actions committed during the war. | Asia |
| 2006 Nepalese Revolution | Jana Andolan II | 21st | 4 April 2006 | 24 April 2006 | The 2006 Nepalese Revolution, also known as Jana Andolan II, meaning People’s Movement II, was an uprising that began on 4 April 2006 against the direct rule of King Gyanendra of Nepal who in 2005 deposed the members of the Nepali Congress, instilled military rule, and aimed to suppress the Maoist Communist rebellion. The Seven Party Alliance led the revolt and were backed by Maoist Communist rebels. The Seven Party Alliance sought to reinstate democratic rule. King Gyanendra’s forces responded to the protests with violence and repression. On 24 April 2006, the king reinstated the Nepalese Parliament and ended the revolution. | Asia |
| 1947 Amritsar Train Massacre | | 20th | 22 September 1947 | 22 September 1947 | The 1947 Amritsar Train Massacre was carried out on 22 September 1947 during the Partition of India of 1947. The massacre took place in Amritsar in the East Punjab of India when Muslim refugee train passengers travelling to the refugee camp in Lahore, Pakistan, were killed and wounded by armed Sikhs. The Sikh perpetrators, Jathas, wanted to ethnically cleanse the Eastern Punjab of a Muslim population. The West Punjab government stated Muslims had too attacked a train, of Hindu and Sikh refugees. By month’s end, the Pakistan government halted refugee trains passing between East and West Punjab. | Asia |
| 1980 Moradabad Riots | Moradabad Muslim Massacre | 20th | August 1980 | November 1980 | The 1980 Moradabad Riots, also known as the Moradabad Muslim Massacre, began in August 1980 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Police carried out the massacre during Eid when they fired at Muslims after some Muslims threw stones at them when police refused to remove a pig that had entered the Idgah. Sources vary as to whether the pig was the Dalit’s or the police’s responsibility as tensions between Hindus and Muslims were fraught due to Muslims kidnapping a Dalit girl that year. The massacre led to further unrest between Muslims and Hindus which spread to other areas. The riots ended in November 1980. | Asia |
| Mughal-Safavid War of 1649-1653 | | 17th | 1649 | 1653 | The Mughal-Safavid War of 1649 to 1653 took place in Afghanistan between the Mughal Empire and the Safavid Empire when the Safavids captured Kandahar, a fortress city, and other Mughal-ruled cities. The Safavids made claims to Kandahar due to a prior Shah’s agreement, but the Mughals under Shah Jahan wanted Kandahar in Mughal control due to trade routes and wanting to expand the western frontier of their empire. The Safavids led a siege to Kandahar and captured it, but the Mughals fought back and attempted to retake it three times before accepting defeat. | Asia |
| Ramadan Revolution | February 1963 Coup d’État in Iraq | 20th | 8 February 1963 | 10 February 1963 | The Ramadan Revolution, also known as the February 1963 coup d’état in Iraq, occurred from 8 to 10 February 1963 in the Republic of Iraq when the Ba’ath Party overthrew the Iraqi government’s Prime Minister, Abd al-Karim Qasim. After the formation of the Iraq republic in 1958, the Ba’ath Party wanted Iraq to unify with the United Arab Republic while Abd al-Karim Qasim’s relationships with fellow party members and unionists and nationalist supporters became strained. The Ba’athists organised a coup fought with pro-Qasim forces. Qasim surrendered, and the Ba’athist government was established. | Asia |
| Nepal-Britain Treaty of 1923 | | 20th | 21 December 1923 | | The Nepal-Britain Treaty of 1923 was signed on 21 December 1923 in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal by Nepal and the British Empire. It stated that Nepal was an independent and sovereign state with the right to conduct its own foreign policy. Prior to the Nepal-Britain Treaty of 1923, the Sugauli Treaty of 1816 had limited Nepal’s independence and foreign policy. The Prime Minister of Nepal wanted a treaty with Britain that recognised Nepal’s independence after the restrictions of the Sugauli Treaty. This became the Nepal-Britain Treaty of 1923 and was recorded in the League of Nations. | Asia |
| 1951 Nepalese Revolution | Sat Salko Kranti | 20th | 6 November 1950 | 18 February 1951 | The 1951 Nepalese Revolution, also known as Sat Salko Kranti, was an uprising by the Nepali Congress Party’s military wing called Congress Mukti Sena against the Rana dynasty of Nepal. The Ranas led an autocratic regime in which the Prime Minister and government were hereditary positions held by Ranas. The Ranas imposed totalitarianism and uprisings and strikes had previously taken place with demands for democracy and to liberate Nepal from the Ranas. The Nepali Congress Party began an armed revolt that resulted in the establishment of democracy and an interim government in Nepal of Ranas and the Nepali Congress. | Asia |
| Pacific War | Asia-Pacific War | 20th | 7 December 1941 | 2 September 1945 | The Pacific War, also known as the Asia-Pacific War, took place in the Asia-Pacific region during WWII and involved countries including Japan, China, the United States, Australia, and several European powers. It began with Japan’s invasion of China and saw some of the largest and deadliest battles in history. The total number of deaths was estimated between 30 to 50 million, with civilian deaths outnumbering military deaths. Widespread atrocities were committed by the Japanese with the war ending with Japan’s surrender following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. | Asia, Oceania |
| Treaty of Lyubutsk | | 14th | 1372 | | The Treaty of Lyubutsk was signed between Lithuania and the Duchy of Moscow and marked the end of the Lithuanian-Muscovite War (1368-1372),establishing a seven-year period of peace. The war had been the result of clashes between the interests of Lithuania and the growing power of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Under the treaty, Lithuania abandoned its plans to further its eastward expansion into Slavic lands and the peace lasted for seven years until Algirdas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania who had signed the treaty, died, and his son allied with Moscow against the new Grand Duke. | Asia/Europe |
| August Revolution | August General Uprising | 20th | 16 August 1945 | 2 September 1945 | The August Revolution, also known as the August General Uprising, was launched by the Việt Minh, led by the communist leader Ho Chi Minh against the Empire of Vietnam and the Empire of Japan. After nearly a century of exploitative and repressive French colonial rule, the Việt Minh rose in popularity through a desire to establish an independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The Japanese occupation, while putting an end to the French colonial system, installed a Vietnamese monarchy compliant to Japan, inciting the Việt Minh to seize control of Vietnam following Japan’s defeat in WWII. | South Asia |
| First Trịnh-Nguyễn Civil War | | 17th | 1627 | 1672 | The First Trịnh-Nguyễn Civil War was a long civil war waged between two ruling families in Vietnam, the Trịnh and the Nguyễn. The war involved periods of conflicts and lengthy stalemates, and ultimately led to the emergence of a new ruling power, the Tây Sơn. During the lengthy war, the Trịnh lords hired the Dutch East India Company for the use of their ships and canons. Both sides lost many people, but with the mediation of the government of the Kangxi Emperor of China, they agreed to end the war by marking the Gianh River as the border between their lands. | South Asia |
| War in Vietnam | Southern Resistance War | 20th | 13 September 1945 | 30 March 1946 | The War in Vietnam, also known as the Southern Resistance War by the Vietnamese and codenamed Operation Masterdom by the British, was a post-WWII armed conflict between troops from British India, France and Japan against the communist Việt Minh. Led by Ho Chi Minh, the Việt Minh sought control of the southern half of Vietnam after Japan’s WWII defeat. The war resulted in the Việt Minh losing control of over half of the country and retreating to the jungles and countryside. French rule was restored and this led to the start of the First Indochina War. | South Asia |
| Lao Rebellion of 1826-1828 | Anouvong’s Rebellion | 19th | December 1826 | December 1828 | The Lao Rebellion of 1826-1828, also known as Anouvong's Rebellion or the Vientiane-Siam War, was launched by King Anouvong (Xaiya Sethathirath V) of the Kingdom of Vientiane to end the rule of Siam (present-day Thailand) and re-establish the former Lan Xang kingdom. The Siamese forces were victorious and abolished the Vientiane Kingdom, forcibly moving all its population to Siam and taking direct control of its territories by placing them under Siam's provincial administration. The kingdoms of Champasak and Lan Na were also consolidated into Siam’s administration. | South Asia |
| Cochinchina Campaign | | 19th | 1 September 1858 | 5 June 1862 | The Cochinchina Campaign was fought between an alliance of the French and Spanish Empires against the Vietnamese Nguyễn dynasty. Guised as a punitive response to the execution of mainly French and some Spanish Catholic missionaries, this was the opening conflict of the French conquest of Vietnam, led by France’s desire to establish French economic and military dominance in the region. The war resulted in the establishment of the French colony of Cochinchina, a development that began nearly a century of French colonial rule in Vietnam. | South Asia |
| Treaty of Saigon | | 19th | 5 June 1862 | | The Treaty of Saigon was the agreement by which France gained its preliminary foothold in the Peninsula that would become French Indochina. The treaty was signed and agreed to by Tự Đức, the last pre-colonial emperor of Vietnam and of the Nguyễn dynasty. Under the stipulations of the treaty, the French gained Saigon, as well as three of Cochinchina’s southern provinces, freedom to expand missionary activity, a protectorate over Vietnam’s foreign relations, the opening of three ports to trade, and a large cash security. Within five years they would annex the rest of Cochinchina. | South Asia |
| Sino-Vietnamese Conflicts (1979–1991) | | 20th | 17 February 1979 | 1 November 1991 | The Sino-Vietnamese conflicts of 1979–1991 were a series of conflicts involving border and naval clashes that followed the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979. The conflicts were between the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and lasted for nearly 13 years, when relations between China and Vietnam started to become normalised, following Vietnam’s withdrawal from Cambodia and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Chinese returned Hà Giang Province back to Vietnam, but retained control of six reefs in Spratly Islands, still a disputed archipelago. | South Asia |
| Third Indochina War | Cambodia Conflict | 20th | 30 April 1975 | 23 October 1991 | The Third Indochina War, or Cambodia Conflict, was a series of conflicts that followed the Vietnam War, rooted in the Cold War and Sino-Soviet rivalry. Following the communist victory in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge – supported by the British Empire and the USA among others – continued violent attempts to regain Vietnamese territories, which had Soviet Union support. These continued raids led to the Cambodian-Vietnamese War, the removal of the Khmer Rouge regime, the end of the Cambodian Genocide and the instalment of a pro-Vietnamese government in Cambodia. | South Asia |
| Siamese-Cambodian War (1591–1594) | | 16th | 1591 | 3 January 1594 | The Siamese-Cambodian War (1591–1594) was a military conflict fought between the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand) and the Kingdom of Cambodia. Ayutthaya forces launched an invasion when Cambodia’s Khmer forces continued raids into their territory. Cambodia was also facing religious unrest within the country, giving the Siamese an opportunity to launch an attack. Although the initial invasion failed, the Ayutthayan forces returned two years later, capturing the city Longvek and subjugating the whole country. | South Asia |
| Cambodian-Dutch War | | 17th | 27 November 1643 | 12 June 1644 | The Cambodian-Dutch War was launched after a coup brought a new Cambodian King to the throne, who was keen to drive out the Dutch East India Company from Cambodia. He ordered a massacre in Udong – where the Dutch trading post was – commandeering two of their ships, and killing 35 Dutch East India Company employees, as well as the Company's Ambassador. The remainder of the war was a naval battle on the Mekong River, which subsequently defeated the Dutch forces. It took almost two centuries for European influence in Cambodia to recover from the defeat. | South Asia |
| Cambodian–Spanish War | | 16th | 1593 | 1597 | The Cambodian–Spanish War was an attempt by Spanish and Portuguese forces (then ruled as one Iberian Union) to conquer Cambodia on behalf of the Spanish King and Christianise the Cambodian population. The Iberian forces were joined by Spanish and native Filipinos, Mexican recruits, Thai forces, as well as Japanese mercenaries. Each country had their own motivations for invading Cambodia, but ultimately this was a victory for Cambodia. However, the country came under the control of Thailand not long after. | South Asia |
| Lao–Siamese War | Siamese Invasion of Laos | 18th | December 1778 | March 1779 | The Lao-Siamese War, also known as the Siamese Invasion of Laos, was a military conflict between the Thonburi Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand) and the Lao kingdoms of Vientiane and Champasak. The war resulted in three Lao kingdoms becoming Siamese vassal kingdoms under Siamese rule and domination in the Thonburi and following Rattanakosin periods. After the conquest of Laos, thousands of the Lao population from Vientiane and the nearby towns were deported to Central Siam, with an estimated two thirds of those making the journey dying. | South Asia |
| Philippine-American War | Philippine Insurrection | 19th, 20th | 2 June 1899 | 4 July 1902 | The Philippine-American War, also known as the Philippine Insurrection and as the Bolo War by Americans (due to the bolo knives and machetes used by the Filipino combatants),was fought when the 1898 Treaty of Paris transferred Philippine sovereignty from Spain to the United States. The Treaty did not acknowledge Philippines' declaration of independence, leading Filipino leaders to declare war. The war led to the dissolution of the First Philippine Republic and the loss of around 20,000 Filipino combatants and 200,000 Filipino civilians due to combat, hunger, or disease. | South Asia |
| Philippine Revolution | | 19th | 24 August 1896 | 12 June 1898 | The Philippine Revolution was a revolution and civil war fought between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish Colonial East Indies authorities, under the rule of the Spanish Empire. It was a rebellion against the brutal Spanish colonial rule that had spanned over three centuries and escalated when the USA joined the war against Spain. The Spanish colonial government was ultimately driven out and the Philippines declared independence in 1898. However, this was not recognised, and the USA purchased and colonised the Philippines instead, leading to the Philippine-American War. | South Asia |
| Philippines Campaign (1944-1945) | Liberation of the Philippines | 20th | 20 October 1944 | 15 August 1945 | The Philippines Campaign, also known as the Liberation of the Philippines and part of the Battle of the Philippines, was a joint Allied attack involving the United States of America, the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Australia and Mexico against the Japanese Empire. It aimed to expel the Japanese forces occupying the Philippines during World War II through an amphibious, naval and air invasion. The Allied victory followed the atomic bombs on mainland Japan in 1945 and this ensured the liberation of the Philippines from Japan. The death toll of the campaign is recorded as 420,000 dead. | South Asia |
| Philippines Campaign (1941-1942) | Fall of the Philippines | 20th | 8 December 1941 | 8 May 1942 | The Philippines Campaign, also known as the Fall of the Philippines and part of the Battle of the Philippines, began when Japanese Imperial forces invaded the Philippines as part of the Pacific Theatre of WWII. The Philippine Armies joined with the United States to defend the islands but were badly defeated. About 23,000 American soldiers and 100,000 Filipino soldiers were killed or captured, and Japan began their occupation of the Philippines. This conquest of the Philippines by Japan is often considered one of the United States’ worst military defeats. | South Asia |
| Moro Rebellion | | 19th, 20th | 4 February 1899 | 15 June 1913 | The Moro Rebellion was an armed conflict between the Moro people (derived from the Spanish term for Moor to describe the Muslim people of the Southern Philippines) and the United States military. The rebellion was sparked when the USA changed the terms of the agreement they had with the Moro, after their interests changed due to winning the Philippine-American War in the north of the country. The USA created the Moro Province in 1902 to maintain it as a protectorate, but Moro revolts continued until 1913 and Moro separatist movements continued until its independence in 1946. | South Asia |
| Kiram-Bates Treaty | Bates Treaty | 19th, 20th | 20 August 1899 | 2 March 1904 | The Kiram-Bates Treaty, or the Bates Treaty, was an agreement signed by the United States and the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines. It was a strategic move by the USA, who wanted to prevent the southern Sultanate from joining in the Philippine-American War, so they could focus their limited forces on the north. It was also a means to stem the Moro resistance to American colonisation. It was officially an agreement, rather than a treaty, which meant it had lesser status under international law, making it easier for the Americans to breach it to suit their interests later in 1904. | South Asia |
| Spanish Treaty of Peace of 1878 | | 19th | 22 July 1878 | | The Spanish Treaty of Peace 1878, also known as the Protocol between Spain and Sulu Confirming the Bases of Peace and Capitulation, was the last treaty signed between Spain and the Sultan of Sulu during the Imperial Spanish occupation of Jolo in the Philippines. The treaty positioned Sulu as a protectorate rather than a dependency and established security, peace and stability for Spain in the whole Archipelago. However, flaws in the translation had implications for the subsequent 1898 cession of the Philippines to the USA, as the Spanish version states Spain had sovereignty over Sulu. | South Asia |
| Spanish–Moro Conflict | | 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th | 1565 | 1898 | The Spanish-Moro Conflict (derived from the Spanish term for Moor to describe the Muslim people of the Southern Philippines) was a series of conflicts in the Philippines spanning more than three centuries. The conflicts began when the Spanish Empire conquered the Philippines in the 16th century, aiming to establish geographic dominance over the region and to convert the population to Catholicism. The resistance of the Moro people did not slow down, and the conflicts continued until the Spanish-American War, when American occupation took over, but Moro resistance continued. | South Asia |
| Carpenter Agreement | Kiram-Carpenter Agreement | 20th | 22 March 1915 | | The Carpenter Agreement, which is sometimes called the Kiram-Carpenter Agreement, was signed by the United States and the Sultan of Sulu, of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. It nulled the previous Kiram-Bates Agreement signed in 1899 and relinquished the right to sovereignty, tax collection and adjudication laws for the Sultan and his heirs. In exchange, it granted the Sultan a monetary allowance, some land and to be recognised as the religious leader and head of the Mohammedan Church in Sulu, as well as religious freedom for those of the Mohammedan faith. | South Asia |
| Hukbalahap Rebellion | | 20th | 29 March 1942 | 17 May 1954 | The Hukbalahap Rebellion, also called the Hukbalahap Insurrection, was a rebellion by the Filipino communist guerrilla group Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon, whose name abbreviates to Hukbalahap and means 'The People's Army Against Japan'. The first phase of the 12-year rebellion started during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1942, resulting in a Hukbalahap victory. Once Japan was defeated in 1945, the rebels continued to revolt against the reinstated Philippine Government, receiving aid from the USA. After initial success, the rebellion was ultimately put down in 1954. | South Asia |
| Communist Rebellion in the Philippines | New People's Army Rebellion | 20th, 21st | 29 March 1969 | Ongoing | The Communist Rebellion in the Philippines, or the New People's Army Rebellion, is the longest-running insurgency in Asia, waged between the government of the Philippines and the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, called the New People's Army (NPA). The NPA have been devoted to overthrowing the government for decades, seeking to expel USA influence from the Philippines and to create a new state led by the working class. Their guerrilla approach has outlasted many Philippine presidents. The war has caused the death of over 40,000 civilians, rebels and soldiers. | South Asia |
| Moro Conflict | State-Moro Conflict | 20th, 21st | 18 March 1968 | 22 February 2019 | The Moro Conflict, or State-Moro Conflict, involved multiple armed groups based around the Mindanao region of the Philippines waging war against the Philippine government. The insurgency persisted for decades and was rooted in a long history of resistance by the Bangsamoro people against foreign subjugation and rule, including the annexation of the Philippines in 1898 by the USA. The conflict was triggered by the Jabidah massacre on 18 March 1968 and led to over 120,000 deaths since then. A war-to-peace transition took place from 2019. | South Asia |