Nations Divided: 20th Century Civil Wars That Shaped the Modern World - History Collection

16. Mozambican Civil War (1977-1992)

The Mozambican Civil War erupted soon after independence, as the ruling FRELIMO government clashed with the anti-communist RENAMO insurgency. Fueled by external support and regional rivalries, the war ravaged Mozambique’s people and infrastructure.
Widespread violence, famine, and displacement severely hindered the nation’s development. The conflict ended in 1992 with a fragile peace, but the legacy of destruction and social division continues to shape Mozambique’s journey toward stability and growth.

17. Salvadoran Civil War (1979-1992)

The Salvadoran Civil War saw leftist guerrillas of the FMLN battling a military-led government backed heavily by the United States. This brutal conflict was marked by widespread atrocities, disappearances, and the targeting of civilians, leaving deep scars across Salvadoran society. International intervention and ideological rivalry fueled the violence, while peace accords in 1992 ended the fighting. Yet, the war’s legacy of trauma, inequality, and political fragmentation still shapes El Salvador’s challenges today.

18. Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)

The Lebanese Civil War was a labyrinth of sectarian violence, pitting rival religious and political factions against each other in a struggle for control. Foreign intervention from Syria, Israel, and regional militias deepened the chaos, transforming Lebanon into a battleground for wider Middle Eastern rivalries. The war’s devastation shattered Beirut’s cosmopolitan image, displaced millions, and redrew Lebanon’s political landscape. Its enduring legacy is evident in the country’s fragile peace, ongoing sectarian tensions, and its pivotal role in regional geopolitics.

19. Afghan Civil War (1978-1992)

The Afghan Civil War began with a communist coup, quickly escalating as the Soviet Union intervened to prop up the new regime. Resistance from a patchwork of mujahideen groups, backed by the United States and regional allies, turned Afghanistan into a Cold War proxy battleground. The Soviet withdrawal left a power vacuum and ongoing factional fighting, setting the stage for future turmoil and the eventual rise of the Taliban. Afghanistan’s instability continues to influence regional and global security.

20. Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009)

The Sri Lankan Civil War was a protracted and brutal conflict between the Sinhalese-majority government and the separatist Tamil Tigers (LTTE). Driven by deep-rooted ethnic grievances, the war left tens of thousands dead and displaced vast numbers, fueling waves of regional migration. The conflict’s end in 2009 reconfigured Sri Lanka’s society and politics, but unresolved tensions and human rights issues continue to challenge reconciliation and stability on the island and influence neighboring countries.

21. Nicaraguan Revolution (1961-1990)

The Nicaraguan Revolution began with the Sandinista movement’s armed struggle to overthrow the US-backed Somoza dictatorship. Following the Sandinista victory in 1979, the country plunged into a new phase of conflict as US-supported Contras fought to unseat the revolutionary government. This civil war mirrored broader Cold War rivalries, drawing in significant foreign intervention and leaving deep social scars. The revolution and its aftermath continue to influence Nicaragua’s political life and Central American geopolitics.

22. Yemeni Civil Wars (1962-1970, 1986, 1994)

Yemen’s modern history is marked by a series of civil wars in both its northern and southern regions. The North Yemen Civil War (1962-1970) saw royalists and republicans battle for control, while the South endured internal strife in 1986. Following the 1990 unification, renewed conflict erupted in 1994. These repeated upheavals deeply shaped Yemen’s political landscape, fueling enduring regional divisions and complicating unity. The legacy of these wars continues to challenge the nation’s stability and cohesion today.

23. Congo Crisis (1960-1965)

The Congo Crisis erupted immediately after the Democratic Republic of the Congo gained independence from Belgium. A turbulent mix of secessionist movements, political assassinations, and foreign interventions plunged the country into chaos.
Multiple factions—including regional warlords and Cold War superpowers—vied for control, turning Congo into a focal point of postcolonial instability. The crisis left enduring scars on the nation’s governance and set the stage for decades of conflict and hardship in Central Africa.

24. Colombian Armed Conflict (1964-present)

The Colombian Armed Conflict is a protracted war involving Marxist guerrilla groups, right-wing paramilitaries, and government forces. Fueled by political, social, and economic inequalities, as well as the drug trade, the conflict has caused immense suffering and displacement. Despite peace accords and ongoing demobilization efforts, violence and instability persist in some regions. The war’s legacy continues to shape Colombia’s development, security, and pursuit of reconciliation and justice for its people.

25. Rwanda Civil War (1990-1994)

The Rwanda Civil War began as a struggle between the government and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), fueled by deep-seated ethnic tensions. This conflict reached a horrific climax with the 1994 genocide, in which hundreds of thousands of Tutsi and moderate Hutu were systematically murdered. The aftermath devastated Rwanda and destabilized the broader Great Lakes region, triggering refugee crises and further conflicts. The war’s legacy continues to shape Rwanda’s national identity and the region’s quest for justice and reconciliation.

26. Bosnia and Herzegovina War (1992-1995)

The Bosnia and Herzegovina War erupted amid the violent dissolution of Yugoslavia, as competing nationalist factions sought control over the new state. The war was marked by horrific acts of ethnic cleansing, mass displacement, and atrocities that shocked the world.
International intervention, including NATO air strikes and peacekeeping, eventually helped end the conflict. The war’s scars remain visible in Bosnia’s society and politics, highlighting the dangers of ethnic division and the challenges of postwar reconciliation.

27. Kosovo War (1998-1999)

The Kosovo War saw Kosovo Albanian separatists clash with Serbian forces in a bloody campaign marked by widespread atrocities against civilians. NATO intervened militarily to halt the violence, forcing a Serbian withdrawal and ending the conflict.
Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008 remains disputed, reflecting ongoing regional tensions. The war’s aftermath continues to influence Balkan politics and the broader debate over self-determination and international intervention.

28. Sierra Leone Civil War (1991-2002)

The Sierra Leone Civil War was notorious for its brutality, as rebel groups fought government forces in a conflict fueled by the illicit diamond trade. Widespread use of child soldiers, systematic mutilations, and mass atrocities shocked the international community.
UN intervention and peacekeeping forces finally helped end the fighting in 2002. The war’s grim legacy—marked by trauma, lost generations, and lingering instability—continues to affect Sierra Leone’s attempts at recovery and reconciliation.

29. Peru Internal Conflict (1980-2000)

The Peru Internal Conflict saw the Maoist Shining Path insurgency unleash a campaign of terror against the state and rural communities. Government forces, in turn, responded with harsh counterinsurgency tactics, often targeting civilians suspected of rebel sympathies. The resulting violence claimed tens of thousands of lives and left deep psychological scars. Peru’s struggle to recover from this era continues, with ongoing efforts to achieve justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace for those affected.

30. First and Second Chechen Wars (1994-1996, 1999-2009)

The Chechen Wars were fierce campaigns as Chechen separatists fought to break away from Russian control. Intense urban warfare devastated Grozny and other towns, while both sides were implicated in severe human rights abuses.
Despite brief periods of de facto independence, Russian forces ultimately reasserted control, leaving Chechnya scarred by violence and repression. The wars’ consequences continue to influence Russian politics, regional security, and human rights debates in the North Caucasus.