Violent conflicts between ethno-religious organizations and states have shaped the development of many countries. We investigate the dynamic violent relationships between the organizations of discriminated groups and the governments in Middle-Eastern and North African countries. Our estimated dynamic models, including with heterogeneous responses, reveal dampened cycles of violence between states and politico-ethnic organizations due to violent mutual responses. Such cycles are absent with terrorism, which is more likely after an insurgency. Finally, we provide a game-theoretical interpretative framework, which allows us to identify the Stag Hunt game as an appropriate summary of the strategic links of states and minority organizations.