From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Conflict areas in West Asia
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- The resurgence of West Asian rivalries has been reignited by the ongoing Hamas-Israel War, which commenced on October 7, 2023.
- With a backdrop of historical conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War and Israel’s engagements with Hezbollah and Hamas, the current conflict is escalating tensions in the region.
About West Asia
[A] Political Overview:
- Countries:
- West Asia comprises 17 countries, including:
- In Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has 6 countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.
- Middle Eastern countries like Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and Yemen.
- Egypt is sometimes included in the definition of West Asia due to its geographical proximity and historical ties.
- Geopolitical Dynamics:
- The region is characterized by complex geopolitical dynamics, including conflicts, alliances, and power struggles.
- Ongoing conflicts include the Syrian Civil War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Yemeni Civil War, among others.
- Strategic interests of global powers, including the United States, Russia, and China, contribute to the region’s instability.
[B] Physical Features:
- Terrain:
- West Asia encompasses varied terrain, including vast deserts like the Rub’ al Khali in Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Desert in Syria and Jordan.
- Mountainous regions include the Zagros Mountains in Iran, the Taurus Mountains in Turkey, and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains along the Lebanon-Syria border.
- Fertile river valleys, such as the Tigris-Euphrates in Iraq and the Nile in Egypt, have historically supported agriculture and civilization.
- Climate:
- The region experiences diverse climates:
- Arid and semi-arid climates prevail in much of the interior, with hot summers and mild winters.
- Mediterranean climates along the coastal areas, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
- Highland climates in mountainous regions, with cooler temperatures and higher precipitation.
- The region experiences diverse climates:
- Natural Resources:
- West Asia is endowed with abundant natural resources, notably oil and natural gas reserves, concentrated primarily in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf states.
- The region also possesses significant mineral deposits, including phosphates in Jordan, sulfur in Iraq, and metals like copper and iron in various countries.
[C] Physiographical Details:
- Biodiversity:
- Despite its predominantly arid climate, West Asia supports diverse ecosystems, including desert, mountain, and coastal habitats.
- Unique species of flora and fauna, adapted to harsh environmental conditions, inhabit the region, including desert mammals like the Arabian oryx and mountain species like the Persian leopard.
- Water Resources:
- Water scarcity is a pressing issue in West Asia, exacerbated by population growth, urbanization, and climate change.
- Countries rely on shared river basins, such as the Tigris-Euphrates and the Nile, leading to water disputes and conflicts.
- Desalination plants along the coastlines provide an alternative source of freshwater, particularly in Gulf countries.
- Human Geography:
- The region is home to diverse ethnic and religious communities, including Arabs, Kurds, Turks, Persians, Jews, and Christians, among others.
- Urbanization is on the rise, with major cities like Riyadh, Tehran, Istanbul, and Cairo serving as economic, cultural, and political centers.
Flash Points in West Asia
| Conflict
Areas |
Description | Flashpoints |
| Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | A protracted dispute over territory, borders, and self-determination between Israel and Palestinians. | Gaza Strip: A densely populated coastal enclave with sandy beaches, urban areas, and limited agricultural land. It is approximately 41 kilometers long and 6 kilometers wide.
Netzarim Corridor: The Netzarim Corridor is a just under seven-kilometer-long corridor that is set to cut Gaza City from the rest of the enclave, running east to west from the Israeli border south of Nahal Oz to the Mediterranean Sea. Israel has previously bisected the Gaza Strip to create a Buffer Zone. West Bank: Diverse geography including mountainous terrain, fertile valleys, and the Jordan River Valley. It covers an area of approximately 5,655 square kilometers. East Jerusalem: Hilly terrain with historic landmarks and religious sites, including the Old City with its ancient walls, mosques, and churches. |
| Syrian Civil War | Complex conflict involving multiple factions, resulting in immense humanitarian suffering. | Aleppo: Surrounded by fertile plains and agricultural land, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It covers an area of approximately 190 square kilometers.
Damascus: Situated in the foothills of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, it is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. It spans an area of around 105 square kilometers. Homs: Located along the Orontes River, it is an important industrial center with a history dating back to ancient times. It has an area of about 165 square kilometers. Idlib: Mix of agricultural plains, hills, and urban centers, covering an area of approximately 6,097 square kilometers. |
| Iraqi Conflict | Various conflicts including the Iraq War, sectarian violence, insurgency, and fight against ISIS. | Baghdad: Flat terrain surrounded by fertile agricultural land, situated on the Tigris River. It covers an area of around 204 square kilometers.
Mosul: Surrounded by plains, historic landmarks, and the Tigris River, it is one of Iraq’s largest cities. It spans an area of approximately 370 square kilometers. Fallujah: In the Euphrates River valley with arid landscapes and urban areas, it is strategically located near major highways. It covers an area of about 139 square kilometers. Kirkuk: Oil-rich region with diverse ethnic populations and mountainous terrain, it covers an area of approximately 9,679 square kilometers. |
| Yemeni Civil War | Involves the Yemeni government, Houthi rebels, and other factions, leading to a dire humanitarian crisis. | Sana’a: Surrounded by mountains and valleys in the Yemeni Highlands, it is one of the highest capital cities in the world. It covers an area of approximately 73 square kilometers.
Aden: Coastal city with a strategic port and urban areas, located on the Gulf of Aden. It spans an area of around 50 square kilometers. Hodeidah: Major port city with coastal plains, mountains, and urban areas, situated on the Red Sea coast. It covers an area of about 192 square kilometers. |
| Lebanese-Israeli Tensions | Sporadic clashes and occasional escalation over territorial disputes and Hezbollah’s presence. | Southern Lebanon: Rugged terrain with mountains, fertile valleys, and coastal plains along the Mediterranean Sea. It covers an area of approximately 929 square kilometers. |
| Kurdish-Turkish Conflict | Involves the Turkish government and Kurdish separatist groups, focusing on Kurdish autonomy. | Southeastern Turkey: Mountain ranges, plateaus, fertile river valleys, and urban areas, covering an area of approximately 190,534 square kilometers.
Northern Iraq: Zagros Mountains, valleys, rivers, and urban centers, with an area of about 198,956 square kilometers. |
| Iranian-Israeli Tensions | Fueled by Iran’s support to militant groups and its nuclear program, leading to regional security concerns. | Golan Heights: Plateau region with rocky slopes, volcanic hills, fertile agricultural land, and urban settlements. It spans an area of approximately 1,800 square kilometers.
Southern Lebanon: Rugged terrain with valleys, plains, and urban areas, covering an area of about 929 square kilometers. |
| Gulf States Tensions | Rivalries among Gulf states are driven by ideological differences, political alliances, and economic interests. | Qatar: Peninsula with desert terrain, low-lying coastal areas, and urban development, covering an area of approximately 11,586 square kilometers.
Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: Desert landscapes, oasis areas, oil fields, and urban centers, with an area of about 672,522 square kilometers. |
PYQ:[2015] Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea? (a) Syria (b) Jordan (c) Lebanon (d) Israel |
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