Conflicts in 1985

The Iran–Iraq War began with the Iraqi invasion of Iran in September 1980. After eight years of conflict, both countries accepted a ceasefire deal brokered by the United Nations, which became effective in August 1988. The war caused around 500,000 deaths, making it the deadliest conventional war ever fought between regular armies of developing countries.

Iran and Israel have been engaged in a proxy conflict since 1985. In the Israeli–Lebanese conflict, Iran has supported Lebanese Shia militias, most notably Hezbollah. In the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Iran has backed Palestinian groups such as Hamas. Israel has supported Iranian rebels, conducted airstrikes against Iranian allies in Syria, assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists, and directly attacked Iranian forces in Syria. In 2024 the proxy war escalated to a series of direct confrontations between the two countries, and in June 2025, they fought a 12-day war, involving the United States.

war fought by Burkina Faso and Mali

hijacking took place on 7 October 1985

armed conflict in Malaysia from 1968 to 1989

The Gukurahundi was a series of mass killings and genocide in Zimbabwe which were committed from 1983 until the Unity Accord in 1987. The campaign targeted mainly the Ndebele ethnic group and supporters of opposition leader Joshua Nkomo. The name derives from a Shona language term which loosely translates to "the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains".

armed rebellion by Soviet and Afghan security forces against Pakistani- and American-backed Afghan mujahideen forces

communist insurgency in Malaysia

overthrow of Somali communism and Somali socialism in Somalia

1985–1988 subconflict during Lebanese Civil War

Military overthrow of President Gaafar Nimeiry

1985 diplomatic crisis between Italy and the United States

The 1985 Nigerian coup d'etat