The New York Times: Global Increase in Armed Groups

The increasing number of localized armed groups worldwide poses a challenge for humanitarian workers. The groups, characterized as “looser, with less top-down control,” are generally informed on international humanitarian law, writes Kenneth Rosen. Humanitarian workers struggle to communicate with non-state fighters, and this adds to the challenges of treating wounded soldiers and civilians. Humanitarian workers must observe cultural cues and make adjustments. There were 70 non-international conflicts counted in 2016, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and nearly half of these involve more than two forces. A director of a nonprofit conflict-research organization reports observing higher levels of fragmentation. Intricacies of religious, ethnic, territorial and social bonds complicate interactions. The upcoming report by the International Committee of the Red Cross is a case study of South Sudanese fighters with suggestions on approaching them and enforcing international humanitarian law. – Yale Global