TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES
From North America to the Horn of Africa we countdown the 10 Most Dangerous Countries in 2015.
10. Mexico
Some people believe Mexico gets a worse rap than it deserves. There are some parts of the country that are tourist hot spots and are rich with cultural heritage. Unfortunately, there are also parts of Mexico which should be completely avoided due protests, violence, and a long simmering drug war. Although a lot of the murders are due in part to organized crime, some of the victims are innocent people and there is currently a travel advisory to mexico from the US Department of State.
9. Ukraine
Ever since the Invasion and annexation of Crimea, Ukraine has quickly risen on the list of Most dangerous countries. The country quickly fell into chaos with the Ukrainian military launching an offensive against pro Russian forces in the eastern part of the country. Ukraine has been named the number one most dangerous country for journalists, with the highest death toll in the world so far this year. Even though there is a ceasefire, there are reported violations weekly, and the body count in the country is constantly rising.
8. Pakistan
Facing religious extremism and sectarian violence Pakistan is home to over 30 terrorist organizations. These Extremist groups are a threat to both the citizens of Pakistan, and any tourists visiting the country. According to a report, there were almost 14,000 terrorist incidents in Pakistan between 2001 to 2013, and the country had around 1500 terrorist attacks in 2012 alone.
7. Democratic Republic of Congo
Also known as the DRC, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been called the worst place on earth to be a woman. A Study released in 2011 estimated that 1200 women are raped in the African Nation every day. The country has been plagued by conflict for over a decade, where rebel factions and militias fight for control of the rich natural resources. It’s estimated that the DRC has an estimated 24 trillion worth of untapped deposits of raw mineral ores, which adds to the conflict that has already scarred the nation.
6. Central African Republic
Currently in the midst of a violent civil war, most governments across the world advise against any and all travel to the Central African Republic. Referred to as the worst crisis most people have never heard of, horrific violent acts take place across the country every day. Militias are accused of murdering children, burning down villages, and even throwing young men to crocodiles. Despite a decrease in attacks in recent years, attacks on civilians are still regularly occurring, and in April the United Nations authorized a new peacekeeping mission for the war torn country.
5. Somalia
Suffering from an ineffective government, Somalia is home to both piracy and militant extremism. The sub Saharan nation is the victim of several decades of corrupt leadership which led to economic collapse, famine and civil war. In 2010, a terrorist group loyal to Al Qaeda gained control of the southern half of Somalia, and is responsible for attacks across the nation and in neighboring countries. Several aid workers and journalists have been killed in the country, and because of the anti american sentiment any american that’s taken hostage in Somalia is almost guaranteed to die.
4. Iraq
The Iraq war officially ended in 2011, but the country is still ravaged by conflict to this day. The Islamic State has taken over a large portion of the nation, including provincial capital Mosul. Named as the most dangerous jihadist group in the world, Islamic state has terrorized the local population, and is responsible for countless atrocities against Iraq’s citizens. As of January 2015, it’s estimated over 3 million Iraqi's have been displaced by the conflict, and over 24,000 have been killed.
3. South Sudan
Becoming an independent state in 2011, South Sudan has suffered from internal conflict ever since. Violence has flared along the border, and some communities that were allied to the south found themselves north of the border after independence. It’s estimated that 300,000 people have died in the conflict, and 2.7 million have been displaced. Although a peace agreement was signed the security situation remains poor, and the us department of state says to practice extreme caution when planning a trip to the region.
2. Afghanistan
Named as the most dangerous place to be born, hundreds of thousands of country’s population are estimated to be deprived of basic rights and vulnerable to different forms of violence. Innocent lives are lost due to insurgency everyday,and violence has increased since the US led NATO Troops wrapped up their combat mission. 2014 was the deadliest year on record for Aghan civilians, with over 10,000 killed in conflict related violence.
1. Syria
A civil war has been raging in Syria since the early spring of 2011. An estimated 300,000 people have been killed, and international organizations have accused the Syrian government of severe human rights violations. As well, Islamic state entered the picture and made rapid gains into the country. Currently a Third of Syria’s territory is controlled by the Islamic state, and an estimated 6.5 million Syrians have been displaced with 4 million fleeing the country.