Conflict in the Sahara: A History of Regional Conflicts in North Africa

Abstract

Many of the regional conflicts in North Africa have their roots in the Sahara Desert, one of the world's largest geographic regions. This region has been a crossroads of cultures and trade routes since ancient times, but it has also witnessed tensions and wars due to religious and ethnic divisions, as well as competition for scarce resources such as water and fertile land. After independence, regional tensions arose as a result of the arbitrary division of the region by colonizers during the European colonial era. One of the main causes of wars that broke out between states that were formerly part of colonial empires was the borders established by colonialism, which did not reflect tribal and ethnic realities. Many separatist movements had a particular impact on these regions, as some groups sought independence or autonomy under central governments that were indifferent to their demands. Tensions between the region's major powers, such as Algeria and Libya, as well as international interventions, especially Western military operations in various security-related matters, have contributed to the escalation of hostilities over the past twenty years. Armed organizations such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda have also contributed significantly to the war by imposing ideological and religious objectives.