Where Is War

Is there a war in Sri Lanka?

Yes. UCDP lists 1 active armed conflict with fighting recorded in Sri Lanka.

It is at war level (1,000+ deaths in a year). Largest: Iran - Israel, United States of America (mainly in Iran), 3,859 deaths in Jan–Sep 2026 (preliminary).

Updated 30 October 2026 · UCDP data through 30 September 2026 · View on map →

The conflict

Each conflict as UCDP defines it: a dispute with at least 25 battle-related deaths in a year. Figures are UCDP best estimates; the newest months are preliminary and can change. UCDP does not record who started each clash.

War levelState-based conflict

Iran - Israel, United States of America

–2025: not in the datasetbelow 25 deaths or no data
3,859deaths in Jan–Sep 2026preliminary · UCDP Candidate Events Dataset 26.01.26.09

Who is fighting: Government of Iran vs Government of Israel, Government of United States of America

1989: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1990: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1991: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1992: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1993: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1994: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1995: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1996: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1997: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1998: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)1999: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2000: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2001: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2002: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2003: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2004: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2005: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2006: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2007: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2008: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2009: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2010: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2011: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2012: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2013: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2014: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2015: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2016: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2017: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2018: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2019: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2020: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2021: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2022: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2023: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2024: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2025: not in the dataset (below 25 deaths or no data)2026: 3,859 (Jan–Sep 2026, preliminary)
1989highest: 3,8592026*

* Jan–Sep 2026, preliminary (hatched). Grey: year not in the dataset (UCDP lists a conflict-year only with at least 25 deaths).

Latest recorded fighting: September 2026

Conflict-wide figures (not only Sri Lanka). Also recorded in: Iran, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Syria.

UCDP conflict page · CrisisWatch: Iran · View on map →

Military personnel

317,000own armed forces (2020)World Bank / IISS · active + paramilitary

Foreign military personnel in Sri Lanka

United States16

assigned · 31 Aug 2026 · DoD DMDC

Other countries may have forces here; only official, reusable figures are shown.

Other countries with active armed conflicts in Middle East

BahrainIranIraqIsraelJordanKuwaitLebanonOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaSyriaTurkeyUnited Arab EmiratesYemen

All countries →

Sources and licences