A nation’s border serves as a safeguard against neighboring countries, but some borders have become battlefields, claiming countless lives.
Here are 10 countries with the most treacherous borders:
1. South Korea/North Korea
The 160-mile Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea is a heavily fortified border, patrolled by soldiers, barbed wire, and lethal landmines. This buffer zone, established over 60 years ago, has witnessed hundreds of fatalities. Crossing the boundary is punishable by death.
2. India/Pakista
The border between India and Pakistan stretches 1,800 miles, illuminated by intense floodlights that make it visible from space. This heavily fortified zone has been the site of three wars since 1947, resulting in over 50,000 fatalities.
3. Israel/Syria: A Legacy of Conflict
The border between Israel and Syria has been a point of contention since the British drew the boundary in the 1920s. The two nations have clashed repeatedly over territorial disputes. The Syrian Civil War has further escalated violence along the border, transforming it into an active war zone.
4. Mexico/US: A Perilous Crossing
Since 1998, approximately 8,000 undocumented migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Mexico-US border. The treacherous terrain, including deserts and rocky landscapes, poses a significant threat to those seeking to cross.
Characterized by the highest number of annual crossings worldwide, the 1,989-mile border poses significant challenges. Approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants attempt to cross illegally each year, resulting in several hundred fatalities annually.
The El Paso-Juarez region is particularly hazardous, plagued by narcotics trafficking and violent clashes between law enforcement and gang groups.
5. Yemen/Saudi Arabia
The 1,100-mile border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia has been marred by violence and bloodshed for 65 years. Saudi Arabia faces numerous threats, including smuggled weapons, Al Qaeda terrorists, and economic refugees.
In response, Saudi Arabia has considered constructing a wall, but Yemen has opposed this plan, citing concerns over traditional shepherd-grazing rights.
The conflict has escalated, with a single day witnessing the launch of 15 missiles and 130 mortars into Saudi Arabia. Since March 2015, the war has claimed the lives of 6,000 civilians and soldiers.
These countries’ borders are fraught with danger due to land disputes, ongoing wars, and illegal crossings.