WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Jul 25th – 31th 2026

SUDAN

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 9

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: at least 14

PERSONS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED: YES, figure unknown

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES LOCALITIES: El-Obeid, Al-Jamama village, western North Kordofan, Jabrat al-Sheikh

PERPETRATORS: Rapid Support Forces (FSR)

VICTIMS: Sudanese civilians

SUDANESE ARMY RECAPTURES STRATEGIC HIGHWAY, DRONE STRIKES DESTROY BUILDINGS IN EL-OBEID

On July 27, 2026, the Sudanese army reclaimed control of the highway connecting the capital city of Khartoum to El-Obeid in North Kordofan. Two military sources indicated this advance pushed Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries westward and opened a second supply route to the region. Meanwhile, drone attacks attributed to RSF struck the city of El-Obeid. Local officials stated the strikes destroyed the headquarters of the local lawyers association and a branch of the Agricultural Bank of Sudan. No victims were reported from these specific strikes. Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhane visited the former paramilitary bastion of Jabrat al-Sheikh alongside Darfur Governor Minni Minawi and Commander Abu Aqla Kaykal. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo announced he would no longer restrain his combatants following battlefield losses against the Sudanese army.

9 CIVILIANS KILLED BY RSF DRONE STRIKE IN NORTH KORDOFAN

On July 29, 2026, a drone strike attributed to the Rapid Support Forces killed 9 civilians and wounded 14 others in the village of Al-Jamama. An anonymous medical source confirmed the victims were targeted during a morning bombardment in North Kordofan State. The group Emergency Lawyers reported that paramilitary forces committed additional abuses including assaults and looting in western North Kordofan on the previous days. The political wing of the paramilitaries known as the Tasis coalition stated that military operations by the army makes truces impossible.

MALNUTRITION, DISEASE  & RAPES ESCALATE IN EL-OBEID

On July 31, 2026, UNICEF Representative Sheldon Yett described the situation in El-Obeid as a massive catastrophe that worsens daily. Yett highlighted increasing malnutrition caused by lack of drinkable water and rising prices for vital products. He expressed concern regarding a cholera epidemic in Kordofan which could spread further as people flee El-Obeid toward Khartoum. Despite the Sudanese army reclaiming the strategic road July 26, access remains precarious as the main route is frequently attacked. Sheldon Yett noted that protective needs are colossal and cited the recruitment of children by militias and an alarming rise in rapes cases.

UGANDA

UN DENOUNCES CLIMATE OF FEAR AND REPRESSION

On July 30, 2026, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the increasing repression of dissent and the erosion of the rule of law in Uganda. He stated that authorities are silencing those who speak out and noted a growing military involvement in civilian institutions. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye was hospitalized in intensive care Thursday after fainting in court during a treason trial. Since the elections on January 15, the High Commission has documented human rights violations against at least 50 opposition leaders, 5 human rights defenders, and 5 journalists. The General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, leads the army that has arrested opposition figures and lawyers.

MALI

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 50

LOCALITIES: Tabrichat

PERPETRATORS: JNIM, ALF

VICTIMS: POW/WIA from the state’s armed forces

AMNESTY DEMANDS INVESTIGATION INTO EXECUTION OF 50 POW & WIA

On July 29, 2026, Amnesty International called for a war crimes investigation after analyzing videos of the execution of Malian soldiers who were out of combat. The incident occurred on July 18 at Tabrichat when a military convoy was ambushed by a coalition including JNIM jihadists and independence fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front. Senior Sahel researcher Ousmane Diallo stated the evidence of war crimes is irrefutable as videos show surrendered soldiers with hands behind their heads before being shot. On July 23, the United Nations also demanded an inquiry into the murders and acts of torture committed during the attack.

RUSSIAN PARAMILITARIES ACCUSED OF KILLING 8 CIVILIANS

On July 31, 2026, a Human Rights Watch report accused Russian Africa Corps paramilitaries of killing 8 civilians including 3 children during air strikes. A Soukhoï Su-24 aircraft dropped munitions on the village of Kyrnia in the Mopti region on June 15. Senior HRW researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi stated the first strike hit the residence of the village chief and killed his wife and three children while the second strike killed 4 men at a livestock market. Africa Corps claimed responsibility for the attack on Facebook but witnesses reported that no jihadist fighters were among the victims. Witnesses noted that approximately 100 islamist fighters were present elsewhere in the village during the strikes.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 31

LOCALITIES: Babila Babombi chieftaincy (Mambasa, Ituri), Njiapanda-Bela, Beni territory PERPETRATORS: Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)

VICTIMS: Congolese civilians

31 CIVILIANS MASSACRED BY REBELS IN NORTHEAST

On July 28, 2026, local and security sources reported that ADF rebels killed at least 31 civilians in several attacks in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo. Mambasa civil society president Jospin Paluku confirmed the deaths occurred between July 22 and July 27 in the Babila Babombi chieftaincy. At least 18 victims were killed during a single night in the mining town of Njiapanda-Bela. Civil society leader Muhindo Mamboro Peresi stated that over 190 civilians have died in the area since January. The Ugandan and Congolese armies maintain a joint operation named Shujaa but have failed to end the violence. Farmers reported being forced to pay protection taxes to the rebels or to face execution.

KENYA

5 KILLED IN AL-SHABAAB AMBUSH NEAR SOMALI BORDER

On July 29, 2026, local officials confirmed that an attack by Al-Shabaab militants killed 5 people including 4 police officers in northeast Kenya. The incident took place July 28 when a Special Operations Group patrol encountered an explosion followed by sustained gunfire in Lafey. Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed the authenticity of the police report while Mandera County officials noted the increased presence of Somali Islamists in the region. Militants previously attacked a security camp in mid-June and targeted the localities of Arabia and Fino on July 24.

LEBANON

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Kfar Tibnit, Nabatiyé al-Fawqa, Beaufort Castle sector

PERPETRATORS: Israeli armed forces

VICTIMS: Lebanese civilians

LEBANESE ARMY CONDEMNS ISRAELI ATTACKS BLOCKING AGREED DEPLOYMENT

On July 26, 2026, the Lebanese army denounced ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon which prevent its deployment as planned in the June agreement. Military officials stated that Israeli forces are systematically destroying and bulldozing buildings, including civilian homes. The Lebanese army accused Israeli forces of opening fire near its positions at Zawtar al-Gharbiya and Kfar Tibnit and Nabatiyé al-Fawqa. Israel alleged that its troops fired warning shots into the air after Lebanese soldiers entered a sector that was not part of the designated pilot zone. A resident described the painful sight of her destroyed home in Zawtar al-Gharbiya as she returned from exodus. Despite the relative lull in major combat, Israeli forces continue to conduct intermittent strikes in the outh where over 4,300 people have died and 1 million have been displaced since March 2.

SECURITY FORCES ARREST MAN FOR FINANCING ISLAMIC STATE

On July 28, 2026, a judicial official confirmed the arrest of a man accused of transferring nearly 500,000 dollars to the Islamic State group in Syria. The individual allegedly stole 400,000 dollars from his father’s safe to fund the terrorist organization. The investigation revealed the suspect was part of an active cell operating between Lebanon and Syria, including three members currently incarcerated in Tripoli. Two other alleged cell members reportedly fled to Syria. The official explained that the group was responsible for financing terrorist acts on both Lebanese and Syrian territories. Earlier this month Lebanese authorities also arrested a Syrian commander of the Islamic State who was responsible for operations in central and southern Syria.

BANKER WANTED AFTER MEETING WITH NETANYAHU

On July 29, 2026, Lebanese authorities issued a search warrant for influential banker Antoun Sehnaoui after the publication of a photo showing him with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A judicial source stated that the General Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation issued the warrant for charges of collaboration with a foreign enemy and violating the Lebanese law. Security services confirmed the authenticity of the photograph which was originally posted by Axios correspondent Barak David. Antoun Sehnaoui who is the CEO of the Société Générale de Banque au Liban organized the dinner in Washington alongside his partner Morgan Ortagus to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Morgan Ortagus previously described Antoun Sehnaoui as a Christian Zionist who advocates for the normalization of relations between Israel and Lebanon. Several Lebanese lawyers have also filed legal complaints against the banker who is currently under investigation in France for alleged unlawful asset transfers.

TURKEY OFFERS TO GUARANTEE LEBANESE SOVEREIGNTY AFTER UNFIL

On July 30, 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey is ready to participate in initiatives to guarantee Lebanese sovereignty once the UNIFIL mandate ends. During a joint press conference with President Joseph Aoun in Ankara the Turkish head of state expressed his desire to support security and reconstruction in southern Lebanon. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Turkey will continue to provide security assistance to the Lebanese armed forces. The United Nations Security Council decided last August to set the end of the UN mandate for December following American pressure. President Joseph Aoun had previously welcomed efforts by France and Italy to form a multinational coalition to succeed the current UN peacekeeping force. 7,500 peacekeepers from approximately 50 countries are deployed along the 120 kilometer Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel.

ISRAELI EXPLOSIONS NEAR BEAUFORT CASTLE THREATEN AGREEMENT

On July 31, 2026, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared that massive explosions caused by the Israeli army near Beaufort Castle threaten the recently concluded bilateral framework agreement. The Lebanese National Information Agency announced that Israeli forces triggered powerful explosions around midnight in the sector of the Crusader era fortress which is classified by UNESCO. President Joseph Aoun described the incident as an extremely dangerous escalation. The Lebanese Ministry of Culture stated that the explosions likely damaged the castle and shattered windows in neighboring villages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the operation destroyed terrorist tunnels using 700 tons of explosives.

SYRIA

ISRAELI INCURSION DURING UN SECRETARY GENERAL VISIT

On July 26, 2026, the official news agency Sana reported that Israeli troops conducted an incursion into southern Syria despite calls from the UN Secretary General to respect national sovereignty. The report indicated that occupation forces entered the villages of Maariya and Alanis-Arda in Deraa province early in the morning. Israeli soldiers accompanied by three military vehicles and a bulldozer established a checkpoint and dropped leaflets instructing residents not to block roads. Artillery fire was also reported targeting agricultural lands in the Qouneitra province. Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Chaibani demanded an immediate and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from the sector. The Syrian center Sijil documented nearly 300 Israeli operations or violations in Deraa and Qouneitra during the month of June including 107 incursions.

UN SECRETARY GENERAL CALLS FOR LIFTING SANCTIONS

On July 26, 2026, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the immediate lifting of all remaining sanctions against Syria at the conclusion of his two-day visit. During a press conference in Damascus he welcomed recent measures that alleviated some restrictions but emphasized that total removal is necessary for economic recovery. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 the new authorities led by Ahmad al-Chareh have focused on reconstruction with costs estimated by the World Bank at 216 billion dollars. Antonio Guterres met with transition officials and visited the infamous Saydnaya prison which served as a symbol of atrocities committed under the previous regime. The Secretary General expressed his solidarity with the Syrian people and noted that the political transition is moving in the right direction. He also reiterated that violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable following Israeli incursions.

PALESTINE

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 11

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: AT LEAST 26

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: Gaza City (Yarmouk stadium, Al-Mouttaqin mosque), Khan Younès, Bureij camp, Tell, Naplouse (Al-Junaid neighborhood), Awarta checkpoint, Qousra, Kour, Susya settlement sector, Far’ata, Sarra, Qaryut

PERPETRATORS: Israeli Army, Israeli settlers, Havat Gilad, VICTIMS: Palestinians civilians

ISRAELI ARMY PREPARES WEST BANK OPERATION AFTER CLASHES

On July 24, 2026, the Israeli army announced preparations for a vast antiterrorist operation in the northern West Bank following settler involved violence that killed 2 Israelis and 4 Palestinians. The clashes occurred in the village of Tel after approximately 20 settlers from the Havat Gilad settlement entered the locality. Village council head Walid Zidan stated that settlers and Israeli soldiers opened fire on the community with the intention to kill and destroy property.

UNREST NEAR SUSYA SETTLEMENT

On July 25, 2026, the Israeli army reported that clashes involving stone throwing broke out between Israelis and Palestinians in the southern West Bank. The incident took place near the Susya settlement where an Israeli civilian was wounded by a stone and evacuated for medical treatment. A military statement indicated that a person described as a terrorist stole a weapon from one of the Israelis and fired shots into the air. Soldiers established roadblocks in the area to pursue the suspect while tensions remained high. The Palestinian Red Crescent recorded additional attacks by settlers on July 24 that wounded 8 people in Far’ata and 2 men in Sarra. Since October 2023 at least 1,094 Palestinians and 48 Israelis have died in the West Bank.

SETTLERS BURN 2 MOSQUES

On July 26, 2026, Palestinian officials reported that Israeli settlers set fire to 2 mosques in the northern West Bank during a night of intense violence. Mayor Abdel Azim Wadi stated that settlers targeted a religious building under construction in Qousra where they left Hebrew graffiti including the word vengeance. The Israeli army confirmed that soldiers found evidence of arson and graffiti after suspects fled the scene before their arrival. A second mosque was targeted with fire and racist tags in the village of Kour according to the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. On Sunday evening the Israeli army announced the arrest of over 130 people across the West Bank including alleged members of Hamas and arms traffickers.

GENERAL EISENKOT EMERGES AS PRINCIPAL RIVAL TO NETANYAHU

On July 27, 2026, former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot emerged as the primary rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the October 27 legislative elections. The 66 year old former military chief leads the Yashar party which is currently surpassing the Likud in opinion polls. Gadi Eisenkot is a vocal critic of the war management in Gaza where his son died in 2023. His political program includes a promise to establish an independent commission of inquiry into the security failures of October 7. The candidate also advocates for a universal national service law to include ultra-orthodox Jews and Israeli Arabs. Despite been seen as more moderate, Gadi Eisenkot previously initiated the Dahiyé doctrine of massive military reprisals during the 2006 Lebanon war.

PALESTINIAN WOMAN SUFFERS MISCARRIAGE AT ISRAELI CHECKPOINT

On July 27, 2026, Palestinian health authorities reported that a 28 year old woman suffered a miscarriage in an ambulance after being delayed by Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint. Caregiver Bashar Qaryouti stated that the woman who was 6 months pregnant was sick and unconscious. The ambulance was forced to use dirt paths through olive groves because the main entrance to the village was closed. Soldiers at the Awarta checkpoint forced the driver to cut the engine and confiscated the identification cards of the medical staff for over 30 minutes. A nurse was compelled to deliver the stillborn baby inside the vehicle as the woman’s condition worsened during the wait. Hospital director Fouad Nafaa confirmed the patient was prevented from reaching the facility by the army. The Israeli army denied the allegations and claimed they received no report of the incident.

ISRAELI STRIKE DESTROYS MOSQUE IN GAZA CITY

On July 29, 2026, the Israeli army announced it destroyed a mosque in Gaza City that was allegedly used by Hamas for weapon storage. Military officials stated the operation was part of a week long campaign targeting multiple Hamas storage sites in the central and northern Gaza Strip. Witnesses described seeing flames and a massive column of smoke rising over displacement tents after the strike on the al-Mouttaqin mosque. Dozens of Palestinians evacuating the area after the army provided a warning before the bombardment. Amir Abou al-Amrain, the Director General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Gaza accused the occupation of using false pretexts to justify the total destruction of the holy site. UNESCO established that 164 heritage sites including 14 religious buildings have been damaged since October 2023.

ISRAEL ARRESTS SETTLER FOR ASSAULT AGAINST PALESTINIANS

On July 29, 2026, Israeli authorities arrested a settler suspected of participating in a violent assault against Palestinians in the village of Huwara last month. The police stated the suspect is an Israeli in his twenties who belongs to a local civilian volunteer unit established by the army to secure settlements. Video footage of the June 6 attack showed a man in a military uniform carrying an assault rifle and striking Palestinians including one who was on the ground. The suspect had been a fugitive for one month before being captured during a joint operation by Israeli security forces. Several other suspects have been arrested in connection with the case and one has already been indicted.

4 PALESTINIANS INCLUDING 2 CHILDREN KILLED BY AIR STRIKES

On July 30, 2026, Israeli air strikes killed 4 people including 2 children in the Gaza Strip according to emergency services and local hospitals. Mahmoud Bassal, the spokesperson for the Civil Defense confirmed that one Palestinian was killed and 10 others were wounded near a displacement camp at Yarmouk Stadium. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younès received the bodies of 2 people including an 8 year old girl following an Israeli helicopter strike on a family tent. An additional strike in the Bureij refugee camp killed one child and wounded several others according to the al-Aqsa hospital. The Israeli army confirmed it targeted “terrorist infrastructures” during the night. These attacks occurred while a Hamas delegation held talks in Cairo with Egyptian and Qatari mediators to consolidate the October 2025 ceasefire. Since the fragile truce began at least 1,214 Palestinians have died in the territory.

PALESTINIAN YOUTH WOUNDED BY LIVE AMMUNITION DURING SETTLER MARCH

On July 31, 2026, a young Palestinian man was wounded by live ammunition during a march of Israeli settlers through several localities in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that the victim was struck in the abdomen during an incursion by the Israeli army and settlers in the al-Junaid neighborhood. Between 100 and 150 settlers including approximately 10 armed individuals organized the march in memory of 2 Israelis killed the previous week in Tel. Witnesses stated that settlers entered at least one building in Tel and four others in al-Junaid where they clashed with Palestinian youths. The Israeli army claimed that soldiers intervened to disperse the gathering and evacuate civilians after Palestinians threw stones at the group. A second Palestinian was reportedly shot later in the day after soldiers triggered a suspect apprehension protocol during another stone throwing incident.

HAMAS AGREES TO DISARMAMENT AS ISRAELI MINISTER CONDEMNS PEACE PLAN

On July 31, 2026, Hamas officials confirmed an agreement on its complete disarmament in Gaza as part of a peace plan. Hamas negotiator Ghazi Hamad stated that a committee of Palestinian technocrats would manage weapons and daily life during a transition period. The plan includes a progressive withdrawal of Israeli forces which currently control over 60 percent of the territory. Far right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir condemned the agreement as unacceptable and claimed it would allow Hamas to prepare for future massacres. An anonymous Israeli political source insisted that no withdrawal will occur without the verified demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.

GULF WAR

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 3

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: AT LEAST 4

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

PERPETRATORS: United States military, Houthi rebels, Iranian military, Saudi-led coalition

VICTIMS: Iranian civilians, commercial tankers

HOUTHI REBELS ATTACK SAUDI REFINERY, REGIONAL CONFLICT EXPANDS

On July 25, 2026, Houthi rebels from Yemen claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a Saudi Aramco refinery in Jizan. The Iranian allied rebels stated the strike was a retaliation for recent bombardments by Riyadh in northern Yemen. Local resident Faiza reported hearing three explosions resembling thunder in the port of Hodeida during Saudi counter strikes. The Saudi led military coalition announced it provided a decisive response against Houthi military sites following attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

TRUMP AND NETANYAHU COORDINATE STRATEGY AGAINST IRAN

On July 28, 2026, American President Donald Trump received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to coordinate their strategy against Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the 90 minute meeting as “extremely positive” and confirmed their shared objective to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The White House issued a statement describing the talks as constructive and focused on regional stability. The two leaders discussed the implementation of the bilateral agreement between Israel and Lebanon and the potential deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza.

US AIR STRIKES KILL 3 FAMILY MEMBERS ON QESHM ISLAND

On July 30, 2026, the Iranian news agency Fars reported that American air strikes killed 3 members of the same family on Qeshm island. The strike targeted a residential house in the Chah Tangu neighborhood killing a father and mother along with their 2 year old child. The University of Medical Sciences in Hormozgan confirmed that two other children aged 7 and 9 were wounded and transferred to a local hospital.

IRANIAN FORCES TARGET US BASES IN KUWAIT AND OIL TANKERS IN HORMUZ

On July 31, 2026, Iranian military forces announced they launched drone attacks against United States military sites in Kuwait and targeted 2 oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. A military statement indicated that the strikes hit satellite communication systems and equipment storage at the Ahmad al-Jaber air base. The Iranian army claimed these actions were a direct response to the American attack on Qeshm island that killed 3 civilians.

AFGHANISTAN–PAKISTAN

15 KILLED IN ATTACK ON PAKISTANI CHECKPOINT

On July 29, 2026, media reports confirmed that 7 police officers and 8 terrorists were killed during an attack on a checkpoint in northern Pakistan. Local police chief Tariq Habib stated the incident occurred in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. The assault left 22 other police officers wounded while security forces launched a sweeping operation in the area. This event follows a suicide vehicle attack on July 24 in the Tank district that killed 15 people including soldiers and police officers. The Pakistani government has linked the rise in violence to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group and militants operating from Afghan territory although the Taliban government in Kabul denies any involvement.

INDIA

CIVILIAN KILLED BY ARMED GROUP IN KASHMIR

On July 31, 2026, administrative official Manoj Sinha confirmed that at least 1 person was killed in the first attack against a civilian in Indian Kashmir since April 2025. The victim was a worker originally from the Indian state of Chhattisgarh while a second worker was wounded and hospitalized during the assault. This attack occurred just days after a gunman killed a local police officer in the region.

EASTERN EUROPE

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 75

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: AT LEAST 227

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: Kyiv, Sumy, Tcherniguiv, Kharkiv, Zaporijjia (city and occupied region), Poltava, Lviv, Radouchné (near Kryvyï Rig), Kyrylivka, Gorlivka, Kherson (occupied), Rostov-sur-le-Don, Taganrog, Belgorod (Smorodino), Kirov, Tyumen, Iekaterinbourg, Tarnawa-Kolonia (Poland)

PERPETRATORS: Russian military, Ukrainian military

VICTIMS: Ukrainian civilians, Russian civilians

ZELENSKY WARNS OF IMMINENT RUSSIAN MILITARY MOBILIZATION

On July 24, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that intelligence services have identified clear signs of a significant Russian military mobilization planned for this autumn. During his daily address the leader stated that Russia is losing more soldiers on the front than it can currently recruit. President Volodymyr Zelensky explained that Vladimir Putin intended to increase attacks and expand the scale of the war. He urged for a multi level defense including strikes deep into Russian territory and diplomatic discussions. This warning follows a previous mandatory mobilization in September 2022 that incorporated 300,000 reservists and caused hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens to flee the country to avoid conscription.

RUSSIAN DRONE STRIKE KILLS 3 IN SUMY AND 8 IN KYRYLIVKA

On July 25, 2026, the head of the local military administration Sergiï Kryvocheenko announced that a Russian drone strike killed 3 people in Sumy. The official stated that the drone hit a post office in the northern Ukrainian city resulting in the deaths. In the occupied Zaporijjia region Russian official Evguéni Balitsky reported that a Ukrainian attack on a tourist camp in Kyrylivka killed 8 people including 2 children.

UKRAINIAN DRONE STRIKES TARGET RUSSIAN REFINERIES IN SIBERIA

On July 25, 2026, Ukrainian drones targeted an oil refinery in the Tyumen region of Siberia. Governor Alexander Moor confirmed the drone fell within the refinery perimeter and caused a significant fire 1,700 kilometers away from the capital. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 328 drones across various regions including Moscow and the republics of Bashkortostan and Chuvashia.

MUTUAL STRIKES KILL CIVILIANS

On July 26, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that a Russian drone strike on a supermarket in Tcherniguiv killed 2 people including a child. Another strike in Kharkiv killed 1 person and wounded 9 others in residential buildings. Russian local authorities claimed that Ukrainian strikes in occupied zones and border villages killed 6 people during the same period. Mayor Ivan Prikhodko stated that 4 people died in the occupied city of Gorlivka during a drone attack. In the occupied Zaporijjia region officials installed by Moscow alleged that a Ukrainian attack on a tourist camp killed 12 people including 4 children.

ROMANIAN FIGHTER JETS SHOOT DOWN RUSSIAN DRONE OVER BLACK SEA

On July 26, 2026, Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruta announced that an F-16 fighter jet shot down a third drone in three days over the Black Sea. President Nicusor Dan cited an investigation report confirming that the drone destroyed on Friday was a Shahed model used by Russia against Ukraine. The Romanian president described the violation of his country’s airspace as unacceptable since it is also the airspace of NATO and the European Union. A second drone was destroyed Saturday in the Danube Delta near the Ukrainian border while investigations into the weekend incursions remain ongoing. Romania has faced frequent drone intrusions since 2022 and passed a law in 2025 authorizing the military to shoot down devices violating its territory.

5 KILLED INCLUDING CHILD IN UKRAINIAN DRONE ATTACK ON ROSTOV

On July 27, 2026, Governor Iouri Slioussar confirmed that 5 people including a child were killed during a Ukrainian drone attack in Rostov. Rescuers discovered 3 bodies while clearing the ruins of a residential building while 2 other victims were identified as a married couple. The regional governor added that 6 people were hospitalized and drone debris damaged 17 private houses and a social center. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on X that Ukrainian strikes also targeted an export terminal in the region along with oil facilities in Yaroslavl and Udmurtia. Local authorities in Belgorod also reported that 12 people including 2 children were wounded during a massive drone attack during the night.

AFRICAN STUDENT TESTIFIES ABOUT FORCED RECRUITMENT BY RUSSIAN MILITARY

On July 28, 2026, a 22 year old Equatorial Guinean named Daniel Angel Masie Nchama recounted his escape after being forcibly enrolled by Russia for the war in Ukraine. The former computer science student explained that a Cameroonian man named Fabrice convinced him to travel to Russia in December 2025 for a job as a bodyguard. Upon arrival Russian soldiers forced recruits to sign documents in Russian using armed threats and confiscated their passports. Daniel Angel Masie Nchama stated his entire battalion of 424 soldiers was decimated in two weeks and he was the sole survivor. He described extreme conditions including 9 days without food. The Equatorial Guinean government mediated his release after his parents publicized the story on social media.

WOMAN KILLED BY ROCKET DEBRIS IN RUSSIAN PORT

On July 29, 2026, Rostov Governor Iouri Slioussar announced that an air strike killed a woman in the port city of Taganrog near the Sea of Azov. The official stated that rocket debris fell on a residential building killing the woman and wounding a man. Iouri Slioussar warned the population to stay in shelters as the drone threat persisted in the southwest region. Ukrainian drones previously struck oil infrastructure on the Azov coast and caused a fire in the Taganrog port earlier this month.

FAMILY OF 10 PRESUMED DEAD AFTER RUSSIAN MISSILE STRIKE

On July 30, 2026, a Russian missile strike decimated the Voronov family when it destroyed their home in the village of Radouchne near Kryvyï Rig. Emergency services spokesperson Serguiï Kovtoniouk confirmed that 10 family members are presumed dead and rescuers have already identified 6 bodies including young children and a 1 year old grandson. Photojournalist Galyna Doschuk described the reality of living under constant aerial alerts and the necessity of fleeing to the metro after work. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its forces targeted military industrial enterprises and telecommunications centers.

TELEGRAM FOUNDER PAVEL DUROV PLACED ON RUSSIAN TERRORIST LIST

On July 30, 2026, Russian authorities added Telegram CEO Pavel Durov to their list of designated terrorists and extremists. The founder of the communication platform is accused of complicity in terrorism as Moscow claims his messaging service is used by Ukrainian security services for recruitment. Pavel Durov stated he was targeted because he refused to comply with mass surveillance and censorship demands from the Russian government. The man has been under investigation in France since August 2024 for failing to act against unmoderated content on his platform. Telegram remains one of the most popular apps in Russia used by both ordinary citizens and governmental agents despite previous attempts to block it in 2018. Pavel Durov who holds French and Emirati passports currently resides in Dubai.

POLAND SUMMONS RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR AFTER MISSILE EXPLODED ON ITS TERRITORY

On July 31, 2026, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador to deliver a protest note after a missile exploded in eastern Poland. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewior condemned the hostile action against a sovereign state and declared any escalation at the border of NATO and the European Union unacceptable. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that fragments recovered from a crater in Tarnawa-Kolonia identify the projectile as a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the missile was produced in Moscow during the second quarter of this year which indicates Russian war reserves are low. The explosion caused a crater 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep but resulted in no victims. This incident follows previous airspace violations since 2022.

MYANMAR

110 ROHINGYA REFUGEES ARRESTED IN MALAYSIA

On July 28, 2026, Amnesty International reported that Malaysian police detained 110 Rohingya men and women and children after they sought protection at a UN office. The group was transported in trucks to the national police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur after being threatened with eviction from their camp in Penang. The UN agency expressed deep concern for the refugees who originally fled violent repression by the Myanmar military. Amnesty International criticized the Malaysian government for rounding up and placing refugees in detention instead of providing a credible protection system. Most of the detainees were seeking assistance from the High Commissioner for Refugees before their arrest. Malaysia has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention and does not officially recognize refugee status.

MYANMAR MILITARY AGREES TO REPATRIATE 5,000 REFUGEES FROM MALAYSIA

On July 29, 2026, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Myanmar has agreed to take back 5,000 refugees. The leader stated that the improved relations between the two countries allowed for this repatriation deal after Myanmar had previously refused to accept the exiles. This agreement comes after Malaysian authorities arrested asylum seekers who had gathered at the UN refugee agency in Kuala Lumpur. There are over 215,000 refugees in Malaysia with Rohingyas representing the majority of the exile population. Human rights organizations warned that refugees are being targeted by waves of online disinformation that fuel xenophobia. On July 30, 2026, the Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organization in Malaysia warned that returning refugees to Myanmar would endanger their lives. The group requested that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim consult with the UN refugee agency before proceeding with any repatriation initiative. The activists stated that safe return is impossible while the Rohingya minority continues to face genocide risks in their country of origin. The organization expressed fear that the Myanmar military would force repatriated men to fight in the civil war as untrained soldiers or human shields.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE AND RELATIONS

VOLKER TÜRK RENEWED AS UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

On July 24, 2026, the UN General Assembly voted to renew the mandate of Volker Türk as High Commissioner for Human Rights for an additional 4 years. The renewal was approved by 144 votes in favor and 10 against despite firm opposition from the United States, Russia and Israel. American Ambassador Jeff Bartos criticized the process and accused Secretary General Antonio Guterres of rushing the procedure through the assembly. He warned that the United States could re-evaluate its financing and engagement. A Russian proposal to extend the mandate by only a few months was largely rejected by the member states. Volker Türk will begin his second term on October 12.

VENEZUELA WITHDRAWS FROM THE ICC

On July 24, 2026, Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia announced that Venezuela is leaving the International Criminal Court due to alleged geographical bias. The decision was made under instructions from Interim President Delcy Rodriguez who claimed the court disproportionately targets African and Latin American countries. Felix Plasencia argued that international justice was being used to deepen inequalities and deny the right to self determination for nations in the Global South. The ICC has been investigating potential crimes against humanity in Venezuela since 2018 following the violent repression of protests that killed 100 people.

ICC PROSECUTOR KARIM KHAN REMOVED

On July 25, 2026, the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court removed Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from his position for serious misconduct. The 56 year old British official faced allegations of sexual assault against a staff member identified as a Malaysian lawyer named Sarah. During a secret ballot at the UN headquarters in New York 82 member states voted to end his mandate while only 13 supported him. Sarah described an escalation of attempts by Karim Khan and stated that consent is impossible when a massive power imbalance exists. Lawyer Tayab Ali announced that Karim Khan would challenge the legality of the decision and warned that the court is under immense political pressure. Karim Khan had recently gained international attention for seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

GHANA REPATRIATES 1,000 CITIZENS AFTER XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA

On July 26, 2026, the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the repatriation of 1,000 citizens from South Africa due to ongoing xenophobic attacks. This latest phase of evacuations follows a surge in violence where foreigners are accused of taking jobs from local South Africans. President John Mahama called on the African Union to address the situation while claiming South African authorities have failed to respond adequately. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola described the violence as isolated incidents although official reports confirm 4 foreigners have died during the anti migrant campaign. Over 160,000 foreigners have fled South Africa since late May after facing looting and the burning of their businesses. Two Ghanaian citizens have also filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court regarding the repeated attacks.

CHILEAN RETIRED MILITARY OFFICER ARRESTED FOR MURDER

On July 27, 2026, Chilean judicial authorities announced the arrest of retired military officer Nelson Haase for the 1973 kidnapping and murder of Victor Jara. Nelson Haase had been a fugitive since his 2023 sentencing to 25 years in prison for his role in the killing of the iconic songwriter. Victor Jara was tortured and shot 44 times on September 16, 1973, five days after the coup led by Augusto Pinochet. The former officer was located by police in the Los Lagos region nearly 950 kilometers south of the capital city. Five other former military personnel are already serving prison sentences for the crime while a sixth committed suicide before his arrest.

GUINEAN COLONEL ACQUITTED IN 2009 STADIUM MASSACRE TRIAL

On July 27, 2026, a court in Conakry acquitted gendarmerie Colonel Bienvenu Lamah of charges related to the murders and rapes during the September 28 2009 massacre. The officer had been in custody since November 2022 as part of a group of defendants accused of repressing an opposition rally in a stadium. While Colonel Bienvenu Lamah was ordered to be released immediately 6 other defendants remain under prosecution including 3 fugitives named Colonel Gono Sangaré and soldiers Jacques Maomy and Blaise Kpoghomou. An international commission mandated by the UN reported that at least 156 people were killed and 109 women were raped during the events. Former dictator Dadis Camara was previously sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity before being pardoned in March 2025. Lawyers for the civil parties confirmed they will appeal the acquittal.

CHAD ANNOUNCES WITHDRAWAL FROM ICC

On July 27, 2026, the government of Chad announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court alleging that the institution focuses excessively on Africa. Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul stated that the court operates as a two speed system that is no longer in line with Chadian interests. The announcement highlighted that 9 of the 13 active investigations concern African states and 6 of the 7 current detainees are from the continent. Chadian officials revealed that the decision followed a request from the United States after a conversation with Assistant Secretary of State Franck Garcia. Chad has recently faced accusations of facilitating arms shipments from the United Arab Emirates to the Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries in Sudan.

INDONESIAN ACTIVISTS SUE NETANYAHU FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

On July 29, 2026, 9 Indonesian activists filed a formal complaint against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for crimes against humanity. Lawyer Kafin Muhammad stated the group was part of the international Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israel while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza in May. The complaint submitted to the Indonesian Attorney General uses the principle of universal jurisdiction to seek an investigation into maritime piracy and prisoner abuse. Witnesses reported being forced to kneel with their hands tied behind their backs during their detention by Israeli authorities. The lawsuit specifically targets Benjamin Netanyahu as the commander in chief of Israel for his role in the treatment of the 400 arrested militants. Several other countries including France and Italy and Australia have also opened judicial inquiries into the incident.

NORWEGIAN TEENAGER CONVICTED OF MURDER PLOT FOR IRANIAN NETWORK

On July 29, 2026, a 19 year old Norwegian named Johannes Kongsnes Natland was found guilty of conspiring to commit a murder on British soil. London counter terrorism police chief Helen Flanagan stated the teenager was recruited by the Foxtrot criminal network which is sanctioned for conducting destabilizing activities for the Iranian regime. Johannes Kongsnes Natland was arrested in March 2025 at a hotel in Huddersfield with two handguns and ammunition hidden under his bed. Investigators found messages on his phone from an individual nicknamed Agent 47 who offered 25,000 euros to execute the contract.

KOSOVO FORENSIC EXPERTS DIG FOR MASS GRAVE

On July 30, 2026, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that forensic experts have begun excavating a site in northern Kosovo to locate a mass grave. The authorities are searching for the remains of 23 intellectuals from Mitrovica including doctors and professors who were kidnapped and disappeared on April 19, 1999. The excavations in the village of Kalludër began 3 days after the arrest of 2 Serbian men suspected of involvement in the disappearances. Prosecutor Blerim Isufaj stated that human remains have already been found on the site although DNA analysis is required for formal identification. Approximately 1,600 people remain missing from the 1998-1999 war between Serbian forces and Albanian guerrillas. A joint commission of experts from Kosovo and Serbia recently met in Brussels to improve cooperation in locating burial sites.

KOSOVO BEGINS TRIAL OF 21 SERBS FOR RACAK MASSACRE

On July 31, 2026, a trial began in Pristina for 21 Serbs accused of murder and torture during the 1999 massacre of 42 civilians in Racak. Presiding Judge Violeta Namani Hajra noted that the defendants are being tried in absentia after refusing to surrender to Kosovo authorities. Prosecutor Ilir Morina read the indictment which identifies former police chief Obrad Stevanovic and intelligence chief Radomir Markovic as key participants in planning the attack. The document states that the victims were unarmed and executed at close range by Serbian forces who entered the village to search homes. Lawyer Arber Jupolli stated that a trial in absentia is a necessary solution to ensure that justice prevails.

NEW JAPANESE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

On July 31, 2026, the newly established National Intelligence Bureau of Japan held its first meeting to centralize the collection and analysis of public safety information. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi leads the accompanying National Intelligence Council which integrates data from various government ministries to improve national security. The creation of this entity follows reports from the New York Times describing Japan as a nest of spies and a source of dual use technology for the Russian war in Ukraine. Ukrainian government estimates suggest that 90 percent of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese components due to lax anti espionage enforcement in Tokyo. While officials argue the bureau is necessary to deter foreign agents and protect sensitive technology critics warn of potential government overreach and threats to individual privacy.