Border areas between countries are often characterized by high security to prevent any illegal entry. However, some border regions are filled with terrorist activities, crime, and political instability. Crossing these areas can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening. Here are the five most dangerous border areas around the world:
1. **Iraq-Iran Border**: Ranked first, the border between Iraq and Iran, stretching from the Shatt al-Arab River to the Turkish border, is deemed the most dangerous border region globally. In 1980, Iraq accused Iran of illegally occupying Iraqi territory and launched missile strikes in response. After eight years of war, during which nearly a million people lost their lives, both countries signed a UN peace agreement.
2. **Pakistan-Afghanistan Border**: Known as the "Durand Line," this border between Pakistan and Afghanistan spans about 1510 miles and is famous for its long-standing conflicts. In 2003, military forces from both sides engaged in violent armed conflicts. Four years later, Pakistan began building a fence to prevent Afghan Taliban fighters from crossing into the country. The chief danger in this region is the lack of control by the Afghan and Pakistani governments over armed individuals, leading to widespread smuggling, illegal killings, and kidnapping. Recently, a major highway connecting the two countries was closed due to a dispute over a border gate built by Pakistan.
3. **China-North Korea Border**: This border is defined by rivers and the Baekdu Mountains and suffers from poor security due to a high number of North Korean defectors entering China. Over the past decade, both countries have begun constructing walls to enhance security. Reports have also emerged of North Korean soldiers crossing the border to steal food and money from China. In April 2016, China deployed about 2,000 soldiers to the border following reports that Pyongyang planned to conduct nuclear tests in the border area.
4. **Colombia-Ecuador Border**: The Colombian government has repeatedly sent military forces into Ecuadorian territory to combat a militia group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), also referred to as the "People's Army." Members of FARC occupy areas along the Colombia-Ecuador border and are known for their violent tactics, including using mortars and landmines in military attacks, forcing thousands of locals to flee their ancestral lands. This armed militia is responsible for more than 200,000 deaths over the past fifty years, with recent murder rates in border cities reaching 96 people per 100,000 monthly.
5. **Niger-Chad Border**: In this border area, one may encounter Boko Haram, one of the world's deadliest terrorist groups. The border town of Bosso, located on the Niger side, has faced numerous bloody terrorist attacks from this extremist group, leading to the flight of over 17,000 people from the area. Since early 2015, both countries have engaged in joint military operations to combat the terrorist group, with ongoing efforts continuing to this day.
