WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Feb.14th – 20th 2026

SUDAN

DRONE STRIKE KILLS 28 AT NORTH KORDOFAN MARKET

On February 16, 2026, at least 28 civilians were killed in a drone attack on Al-Safiya market in North Kordofan’s Sodari area, according to the Emergency Lawyers NGO. The strike, which also wounded dozens, occurred as the market was crowded with women, children, and elderly. The region is a key battleground between Sudan’s army and RSF. The conflict has displaced over 14 million people since April 2023.

UN REPORT ACCUSES RSF OF GENOCIDE

On February 18, 2026, a UN fact-finding mission reported “acts of genocide” in El-Fasher, stating that the RSF’s systematic actions in the Darfur city in October could only be explained by genocidal intent. The report documented massacres, ethnic violence, abductions, and rapes. The UN mission concluded that the RSF and allied Arab militias targeted civilians, especially from black communities, with thousands killed and more missing. The UN Human Rights Office also accused the RSF and allied militias of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during the capture of El-Fasher. Based on interviews with over 140 victims and witnesses, the UN documented at least 6,000 deaths in the first three days of the offensive. The report detailed massacres, summary executions, sexual violence, torture, forced disappearances, and the use of child soldiers. The UN called for investigations to hold commanders accountable.

BNP PARIBAS APPEALS COMPLICITY VERDICT

On February 18, 2026, BNP Paribas filed an appeal against a New York jury’s October verdict that found the bank complicit in Sudanese atrocities under Omar al-Bashir’s regime. The bank was ordered to pay $20.75 million to three Sudanese-American plaintiffs who suffered torture and property destruction by Sudanese forces and the ex-Janjaweed, which evolved into the RSF. BNP Paribas argues the trial misapplied Swiss law. The bank operated in Sudan from the late 1990s to 2009, facilitating trade transactions allegedly used to fund large scale violence against civilians.

US SANCTIONS TARGET RSF COMMANDERS

On February 19, 2026, the US government-imposed sanctions on three RSF commanders, Elfateh Abdullah Idris Adam, Gedo Hamdan Ahmed Mohamed, and Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed, for directing atrocities during the capture of El-Fasher in late October. The US Treasury Department stated Idris filmed himself killing unarmed civilians and boasted of killing thousands, while the other two commanders participated in massacres, torture, and sexual violence. The sanctions freeze their US assets and ban American entities from dealing with them. The move follows similar actions by the UK and EU.

DRONE STRIKE NEAR ETHIOPIAN BORDER KILLS 1

On February 19, 2026, a drone strike attributed to RSF killed one person and wounded eight in Kourmouk, near the Ethiopian border. The attack also destroyed 16 homes, according to a local government source. The RSF, allied with the SPLM-N faction, has been advancing in Blue Nile state, a new front in Sudan’s civil war. The RSF’s recent alliance with SPLM-N has strengthened their position near Ethiopia and South Sudan. The army controls central and eastern Sudan, while the RSF dominates the west and parts of the south.

SOUTH SUDAN

NEW CONFLICT: STARVATION AND DISPLACEMENT

In February 2026, wounded people, including children, were admitted in Akobo hospital, Jonglei State, after government forces allegedly attacked a village, killing and injuring civilians. Witnesses described soldiers firing indiscriminately at residents. The conflict between President Salva Kiir’s forces and supporters of Vice President Riek Machar, now under house arrest, has displaced 280,000 people since December 2025, half of them children. Over 825,000 children face acute malnutrition in Jonglei, Unity, and Eastern Equatoria states. Hospitals lack supplies, and displaced families survive on foraged food.

WFP CONTRACTOR SHOT TO DEATH

On February 18, 2026, a World Food Programme contractor was shot dead in Ngueny, Upper Nile State, by an unidentified gunman. The WFP confirmed the attack and is cooperating with local authorities investigating the incident. This follows recent attacks on humanitarian operations, including the looting of a WFP convoy and the destruction of MSF and Save the Children facilities in Jonglei. Escalating violence has been reported between Kiir and Machar supporters.

NEW CYBERSECURITY LAW SPARKS PRESS FREEDOM FEARS

On February 20, 2026, South Sudan’s government enacted a cybersecurity law, praised as a tool against cyber threats but criticized by journalists as a potential censorship instrument. The law criminalizes publishing “false information” with up to five years in prison and permits surveillance for national security. Journalists, including Woja Emmanuel Wani and Morris Doga, warned it could be used to suppress reporting of corruption and critical voices. Government spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny denied targeting journalism, but recent calls for media to “adopt government language” heightened concerns. South Sudan ranks 109th in press freedom, with a history of journalist arrests and killings.

NIGERIA

46 KILLED IN CENTER-WEST VILLAGES

On February 14, 2026, at least 46 people were killed in attacks on three villages in Borgu local government area of Niger State, central-western Nigeria, according to a humanitarian source. In Konkoso, 38 people were shot or beheaded, seven died in Tungan Makeri, and one in Pissa. The police confirmed the attack on Tungan Makeri, stating houses were also burned. The assailants, operating on motorcycles, also abducted an undetermined number of people. About 80% of Konkoso’s homes were set ablaze. Local leaders called for a military base to be established in the area to curb recurring violence.

US TROOPS ARRIVE IN NIGERIA

On February 16, 2026, Nigeria’s Defense Ministry announced the arrival of about 100 US military personnel to train Nigerian forces in countering jihadist groups. The ministry clarified that these specialists are advisors, not operators, and will act under Nigerian authority. The training will focus on intelligence and joint operations to destroy extremist groups. This follows US airstrikes in Sokoto State and increased military cooperation, as the US accuses jihadists of persecuting Christians, a claim Nigeria and most experts reject, noting violence affects all communities.

DEADLY JIHADIST ATTACKS ON SEVEN VILLAGES IN NORTH-WEST

On February 18, 2026, jihadists from the Lakurawa group killed dozens in attacks on seven villages in Kebbi State, northwest Nigeria, according to security sources. Police spokesperson Bashir Usman named the villages as Mamunu, Awasaka, Tungan Tsoho, Makangara, Kanzo, Gorun Naidal, and Dan Mai Ago, where residents resisted the assailants. The sources mentioned over 30 civilians killed in five villages. A Kanzo resident described eight deaths and cattle theft in his village. Security forces, including police, military, and local militias, were deployed, and the situation was later stabilized.

ETHIOPIA-ERITREA

ETHIOPIAN TROOPS MASS AT TIGRAY BORDER AMID FEARS OF NEW WAR

On February 17, 2026, Ethiopian federal troops and Tigrayan forces deployed in large numbers along the Tigray border, raising fears of renewed conflict. Federal forces (ENDF) were encircling Tigray, while Tigrayan troops also moved toward the frontier. A security source warned that such a buildup “is not a good sign.” The region, which emerged from a two-year war in 2022 with an estimated 600,000 deaths, remains unstable. Recent clashes in January and suspended flights have heightened tensions. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of arming rebels and supporting the banned Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

JOURNALIST BLOCKED FROM FLYING TO TIGRAY

On February 19, 2026, an AFP journalist was prevented from boarding a flight to Shire, Tigray, due to a new requirement for ministry approval. Airport security cited an unspecified new rule but could not provide documentation. The incident follows Ethiopia’s decision not to renew accreditations for three Ethiopian Reuters correspondents.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

KINSHASA ACCEPTS CEASEFIRE IN “PRINCIPLE”

On February 13, 2026, the DRC government announced it “accepted the principle” of a ceasefire in eastern DRC, following Angola’s proposal for hostilities to end on February. Kinshasa did not confirm a start date, while M23 accused the government of “manipulation” and delaying tactics. The rebel group claimed Congolese forces continued “indiscriminate attacks” despite the announcement. Fighting persisted in South Kivu’s Minembwe highlands, where Congolese troops and allied militias battled M23-affiliated groups. Kinshasa demanded a strict freeze on military positions and an end to external support for armed groups. The UN’s Monusco mission prepared to deploy reconnaissance flights from Goma airport.

FRAGILE CALM AFTER CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL

On February 19, 2026, fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels eased in eastern DRC. Local sources noted a relative calm in Minembwe and Sange, South Kivu, where clashes had recently occurred. Residents of Lemera began returning home after morning skirmishes. The region, plagued by over 30 years of conflict, has seen repeated ceasefire violations. Analysts suggest US pressure for access to strategic minerals may influence a temporary truce, but conditions for a permanent peace remain unmet.

DRC AND M23 ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF BREAKING CEASEFIRE

On February 20, 2026, the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group traded accusations of violating a ceasefire proposed by Angola in eastern DRC. Kinshasa accused M23 of attacking its positions in North and South Kivu provinces and undermining the peace process. M23, in turn, blamed Congolese forces for ceasefire violations. Local sources reported renewed clashes near Minembwe, South Kivu, where Congolese troops backed by local militias and Burundian soldiers, faced M23-affiliated groups. The region remains volatile.

DRONES RESHAPE WAR

Drones emerged as a critical factor in eastern DRC’s conflict, with both Congolese and M23 forces increasingly reliant on unmanned aerial systems. Kisangani airport, a key military hub, was targeted in a February drone attack claimed by M23, which sought to destroy a “drone command center.” The Congolese army, supported by foreign paramilitaries, uses Chinese CH4 and Turkish Anka drones to counter M23’s ground advances. Rwanda has deployed GPS jamming systems near its border, disrupting civilian and humanitarian flights. The M23 also used kamikaze drones during its December Uvira offensive.

BURKINA FASO

WEEKEND DEADLY ATTACKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Between February 12-15, 2026, A series of jihadist attacks struck northern and eastern Burkina Faso, killing both soldiers and civilian auxiliaries. Jihadists murdered ten people in Titao, a key town in Burkina Faso’s Loroum province. The attack, later claimed by JNIM, targeted a market, burning shops and trucks of tomato traders. A local resident reported traders and truck drivers among the dead, with wounded evacuated to Ouahigouya. The military confirmed repelling the assault, stating attackers set market stalls ablaze for propaganda. JNIM claimed to have killed “dozens of Burkinabe soldiers.” The attack was part of a wave of violence on Naré, Tandjari, and Bilanga.

JIHADIST ATTACK KILLS 40 FOREST GUARDS

On February 19, 2026, around 40 paramilitary forest guards were killed in a jihadist attack on the Tandjari forest post in Burkina Faso’s eastern Gourma province. The assault, claimed by JNIM, left some victims’ bodies charred beyond recognition. A security source confirmed dozens of bodies were found in trenches dug by the attackers.

SOMALIA

GOVERNMENT-BACKED MILITIAS TURN AGAINST CIVILIANS

AFP reported that Somali civilians faced constant extortion and violence from clan militias armed by the government to fight Shebab Islamists. In Hiran province, Macwiisley militiamen, often drunk, demanded bribes at checkpoints, shot at vehicles, and threatened lives even after payments. The Macwiisley, mainly from the Hawadle clan, initially helped push back Shebab but now dominate human rights violation cases, including killings and sexual violence, according to Mogadishu’s military court. The Shebab, meanwhile, retook 14 towns in Hiran and 28 in Middle Shabelle after a 2025 counteroffensive, exploiting government neglect and offering reconciliation to clan elders. Analyst Jethro Norman stated this reinforced Shebab’s narrative: “The government cannot protect you.”

LEBANON

ISRAELI STRIKE KILLS 4 IN THE EAST

On February 15, 2026, an Israeli drone strike killed four people in a car near the Lebanese-Syrian border, according to Lebanon’s official ANI news agency and the Health Ministry. The Israeli army alleged it targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad members in the Majdal Anjar area, despite the truce.

4 MONTHS TO DISARM HEZBOLLAH

On February 16, 2026, the Lebanese government announced a four-month timeline, renewable, for its army to implement the second phase of a military plan to disarm Hezbollah in the south. The first phase, completed in January, covered the area between the Israeli border and the Litani River. The second phase targets the region north of the river. Minister of Information Paul Morcos stated the timeline could be extended due to Israeli attacks and obstacles. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called the disarmament efforts a “grave sin” and urged the government to stop restricting weapons.

THE SOUTH STILL UNDER FIRE, 1 DEAD

On January 21, 2026, an Israeli airstrike destroyed several buildings in Qannarit, a village in southern Lebanon, killing one person and leaving 26 families homeless. Ali al-Dorr, a 62-year-old school bus driver, lost his son’s apartment in the attack. The Israeli army claimed it targeted a Hezbollah “infrastructure” and warned residents to evacuate shortly before the strike. Fatima al-Nassar, a 52-year-old Palestinian woman, saw her home and garden destroyed, while children now suffer from panic attacks. Local authorities accuse Israel of deliberately preventing reconstruction.

PALESTINE

GAZA RADIO STATION LAUNCHES AMID WAR

On February 13, 2026, the radio station « Here is Gaza » began broadcasting from Deir el-Balah, aiming to amplify the voices of Gaza’s residents after over two years of war. Animator Sylvia Hassan and technician Chirine Khalifa highlighted the station’s focus on social issues, humanitarian aid, women’s conditions, and education. Funded by the EU and supported by Filastiniyat and An-Najah University, the station faces challenges like unstable electricity and internet. It broadcasts two hours daily from Gaza and longer from Nablus.

PALESTINIANS PRISONERS FACE « VENGEANCE » IN ISRAELI JAILS

On February 14, 2026, a Palestinian NGO condemned a « demonstration of vengeance » after a video showed Israeli police mistreating Palestinian detainees in Ofer military prison, led by far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The footage showed officers using stun grenades, dragging prisoners, and forcing them to the ground. Ben Gvir called for the death penalty for « terrorists » and praised the prison’s harsh conditions. The Palestinian Prisoners Club denounced the acts as war crimes. Since October 7, 2023, reports of torture and abuse in Israeli prisons have surged, with NGOs and the UN warning of systematic violations. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 59 Palestinian journalists detained in Israeli prisons between October 2023 and January 2026 also described « systematic violence. » All but one reported torture, psychological threats, prolonged stress positions, exposure to loud noises, beatings and sexual violence. Yousef Sharaf, Sami al-Sai, and Mohammed al-Atrash detailed severe weight loss, unsanitary conditions, and medical neglect. The Israeli military and prison service denied the allegations. Israel is among the top jailers of journalists since 2023.

ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 12 IN GAZA

On February 15, 2026, the Gaza Civil Defense reported 12 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, despite a ceasefire. Strikes hit a tent sheltering displaced people in Jabalia, killing 5, and another 5 in Khan Younis. The Israeli army claimed it targeted militants near the « Yellow Line » in Beit Hanoun. Hamas accused Israel of violating the truce, while Israel blamed Hamas for the escalation.

ISRAEL ACCUSED OF EXPANDING JERUSALEM INTO WEST BANK

On February 17, 2026, the Israeli NGO Peace Now denounced a government plan to build 2,780 housing units in the West Bank, effectively expanding Jerusalem into occupied territory for the first time since 1967. The project, announced by the Housing Ministry, would extend the Geva Binyamin settlement and connect it directly to Jerusalem, despite being entirely in the West Bank. The organization Peace Now called it an unprecedented « annexation » move. The UN and international community have condemned Israel’s accelerating settlement expansion, with over 500,000 Israelis now living in West Bank settlements, illegal under international law.

IMAM OF AL-AQSA DENIED ACCESS BY AUTHORITIES

On February 17, 2026, Sheikh Muhammad al Abbasi, a leading imam of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, was banned from entering the site for a week, just before Ramadan. Al Abbasi, who recently returned after a year in hospital, received no explanation for the ban. The move comes as Israel imposes strict restrictions on Palestinian worshippers.

PALESTINIAN TEEN DIES AFTER STEPPING ON MINE IN WEST BANK

On February 17, 2026, a 13-year-old Palestinian boy, Mohammed Abou Dalah, died after stepping on a mine near the Israeli military camp of Tirzah in the Jordan Valley. The Palestinian Red Crescent and the Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed the death. The army stated the area is a restricted firing zone. The mayor of Jiftlik, Ahmad Ghawanmeh, said three teens were collecting herbs when the explosion occurred. The Jordan Valley remains heavily mined.

ISRAEL PLANS MASSIVE POLICE DEPLOYMENT AROUND AL-AQSA FOR RAMADAN

On February 16, 2026, Israeli police announced a massive deployment around Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during Ramadan. Thousands of officers will secure the site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, as hundreds of thousands of Palestinian worshippers are expected. Israel will issue only 10,000 permits for West Bank Palestinians. The Waqf, which manages the site, was denied permission to set up temporary shelters and clinics.

ISRAELI SETTLERS CLAIM OVER 60 ATTACKS ON PALESTINIANS

On February 18, 2026, the radical settler group « Hilltop Youth » claimed responsibility for more than 60 attacks in 33 Palestinian villages in the West Bank over one month. Their Telegram post listed 12 houses burned, 29 cars torched, 40 Palestinians injured, and hundreds of car windows smashed and olive trees uprooted. In Mikhmas, near Ramallah, a 19-year-old Palestinian died from gunshot wounds by settlers. The group’s actions are described as « fighting the Arab enemy. » While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned violence by a « handful of extremists, » the ONG Peace Now accused settlers of using intimidation and violence to force Palestinians off their land, with government and military support.

GAZA DEATH TOLL FAR HIGHER THAN OFFICIAL FIGURES, STUDIES REVEAL

On February 18, 2026, scientific studies published in The Lancet Global Health and eClinicalMedicine revealed that the actual death toll in Gaza is 35-40% higher than official figures. The Gaza Health Ministry reported 72,069 deaths and 171,728 injuries by February 19, 2026, but researchers estimate the real number is significantly undercounted. A field survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found 83,650 deaths by January 5, 2025, compared to the ministry’s 49,000 at the time. Over 56% of victims are women, children, or elderly. The discrepancy is due to uncounted bodies under rubble and destroyed families. The study also noted 80% of injuries are from explosions, with 29,000-46,000 requiring complex reconstructive surgery. Only 18 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially operational, and just 50 patients daily are allowed to leave for treatment in Egypt.

MINISTER CALLS FOR PALESTINIAN « EMIGRATION » AND ANNULMENT OF OSLO ACCORDS

On February 18, 2026, far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich called for « encouraging the emigration » of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza to establish Israeli « sovereignty » over these territories. At a meeting of his Religious Zionism party in the Psagot settlement, Smotrich vowed to « annul the cursed Oslo Accords » and promote emigration from « Judea and Samaria » (the biblical name for the West Bank). He holds key powers over West Bank civil administration and has accelerated settlement expansion, with a record 54 new settlements approved in 2025. Smotrich’s « Settlement 2030 » plan aims to redraw the map of the West Bank, where over 500,000 Israelis now live among 3 million Palestinians.

UN WARNS OF « ETHNIC CLEANSING »

On February 18, 2026, the UN Human Rights Office warned of possible « ethnic cleansing » in Gaza and the West Bank, citing intensified attacks, systematic destruction, forced displacement, and denial of humanitarian aid. A report covering November 2024 to October 2025 documented mass killings, famine, and destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, with 463 Palestinians, including 157 children, dying from starvation. The report also condemned Israel’s use of excessive force, arbitrary detentions, torture, and home demolitions in the West Bank. The UN called for accountability for violations of international law.

SYRIA

SYRIAN AUTHORITIES EMPTY AL-HOL CAMP

On February 17, 2026, Syrian authorities transferred the remaining residents of the al-Hol camp to another site in northern Syria, following the escape of thousands of relatives of foreign Islamic State jihadists. Camp official Fadi al-Qassem announced the evacuation would be completed within a week, citing uninhabitable conditions. The UN refugee agency noted a significant drop in residents and urged identification of escaped foreigners for repatriation. Kurdish forces, who led the fight against IS with US support, still control the smaller Roj camp, where foreign jihadist relatives, including French and Australians, remain detained. Human Rights Watch warned that over 5,700 jihadists transferred to Iraq risk torture, unfair trials and forced disappearances.

SYRIAN DRUZE COMMUNITY UNDER SIEGE, ISRAELI LEADER CLAIMS

On February 19, 2026, Cheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, stated that Druze in Syria remain besieged and completely encircled seven months after deadly clashes with government forces. Tarif accused Syrian authorities of blocking all humanitarian aid, including supplies coordinated by Israel. He reported that 38 villages were seized by Damascus, with residents forbidden to return, and over 300 captives, including children and women, remain detained. The clashes in Suweida province last July left more than 2,000 dead, including 789 Druze civilians summarily executed by Syrian defense and interior ministry forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The UN estimates 187,000 were displaced, with Tarif claiming over 120,000 remain so. Israel, home to over 150,000 Druze, has provided aid and conducted airstrikes in support of the community. Tarif also called for regional access to Druze holy sites.

IRAN

US AND IRAN BEGIN INDIRECT TALKS IN SWITZERLAND

On February 16, 2026, Iran and the US launched a second round of indirect negotiations near Geneva, with Oman acting as mediator. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, cautiously noted a « more realistic » US stance on the nuclear issue. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned Iran of « traumatic » consequences if no agreement is reached and hinted at the possibility of regime change. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Oman’s Badr al-Busaidi to discuss nuclear rights and sanctions relief.

US MILITARY BUILDUP INTENSIFIES

On February 18, 2026, the US significantly increased its military presence in the Western Asia, deploying two aircraft carriers, thirteen warships, and dozens of combat aircraft, including F-22 Raptors and F-15s. The Gerald Ford and Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups, along with destroyers and support ships, are now positioned in the Gulf. CNN and CBS reported the military is ready to strike Iran as early as the following weekend if President Donald Trump orders it. On February 19, 2026, US President Donald Trump set a « ten-day » deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear agreement, warning of « bad things » if talks fail. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned Iran of an « unimaginable » response if attacked.

EASTERN EUROPE

RUSSIA ACCUSED OF POISONING ALEXEI NAVALNY

On February 14, 2026, five European countries, the UK, Sweden, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, accused Russia of poisoning opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a rare toxin, epibatidine, while he was imprisoned in Siberia. The joint statement, issued at the Munich Security Conference, asserted that only the Russian state had the means and motive to use the lethal substance. Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, stated that his « assassination » was now « proven by science. » Russia’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the allegations as « informational chaos » and a distraction. Navalny, a vocal critic of the Kremlin and the Ukraine war, died in 2024 under disputed circumstances.

2 KILLED IN RUSSIAN ATTACKS

On February 14, 2026, a woman died in a Russian drone strike on a residential building in Odessa, southern Ukraine, according to local military administrator Oleg Kiper. The attack damaged the building’s roof. In the Zaporizhzhia region, another person was killed and three injured in separate strikes.

TENSIONS IN ARCTIC

On February 14, 2026, Norway’s intelligence chief, Rear Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes, stated that Russia is avoiding escalation in the Arctic, despite its aggressive actions in Ukraine and the Baltic Sea. Stensønes noted Russia’s focus on developing Arctic trade routes, energy infrastructure, and securing its nuclear forces, with a « low tension » strategy in the region. While Russia’s Northern Fleet remains a concern, its submarine numbers are stable or declining, but the vessels are more modern and harder to track. China’s Arctic activity is limited to scientific research ships, which Norway monitors due to their potential dual-use capabilities.

UKRAINE REGAINS TERRITORIES IN COUNTEROFFENSIVE

Between February 10–14, 2026, Ukrainian forces reclaimed 201 km² of territory from Russia, marking their largest gain since June 2023, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The advance coincided with reported Russian Starlink outages, which disrupted Moscow’s communications and command on the front. Russian military bloggers noted the loss of Starlink access after Elon Musk announced measures to block its use by the Kremlin. Without Starlink, Russian forces only advanced on one day during the week. Ukrainian gains were concentrated near Zaporizhzhia, where Russian troops had made significant progress since summer 2025. As of mid-February, Russia controlled 19.5% of Ukrainian territory, up from 18.6% a year earlier.

RUSSIA CLAIMS CAPTURE OF DOZEN UKRAINIAN VILLAGES

Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced that Russian forces had captured a dozen villages in eastern Ukraine during February, despite harsh winter conditions. Gerasimov’s visit to frontline troops came ahead of Geneva peace talks and the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Russia has accelerated its offensive in recent months. Gerasimov also claimed progress near Sloviansk and in creating a « security zone » in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Moscow continues to demand Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donetsk as a precondition for any peace deal, a condition Kiev rejects.

CIVILIANS INJURED IN UKRAINIAN ATTACKS

On February 17, 2026, Sevastopol’s governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported a Ukrainian drone attack, which injured several civilians, including a child. The attack, one of the longest recent drone assaults, also targeted a Krasnodar oil refinery, damaging a storage tank and sparking a 700 m² fire.

KENYANS TRAUMATIZED AFTER FORCED RECRUITMENT BY RUSSIAN ARMY

Kenyan MP Kimani Ichung’wah said that over 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited and sent to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, far exceeding the previously reported 200. Many were deceived by recruitment agencies promising high-paying jobs in Russia, only to be forced into military service. The recruits, often transiting through Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Uganda, or South Africa, were made to sign contracts in Cyrillic under threat. As of February, 89 are on the frontline, 28 are MIA and 39 are WIA. 30 have been repatriated. Four Kenyan men, Victor, Mark, Erik, and Moses, recounted to AFP how they were tricked into joining the Russian army under false promises of lucrative jobs. Victor described being sent to the front near Vovchansk, Ukraine, where he witnessed hundreds of corpses and survived by hiding under a dead body. Mark, Erik, and Moses also suffered injuries from drone strikes and artillery. All four eventually escaped with the help of the Kenyan embassy. The recruitment was orchestrated by Kenyan agencies like Global Face Human Resources, whose employee Edward Gituku is facing human trafficking charges. Families of the deceased, like Grace Gathoni and Charles Ojiambo Mutoka, demand accountability from Russia.

UKRAINIAN DRONE STRIKE KILLS 1 IN SEVASTOPOL

On February 20, 2026, a man died after a Ukrainian drone strike on Sevastopol, according to Russian authorities. Mikhail Razvozhayev, governor of the Crimean port city, reported the victim suffered head and chest injuries.

MYANMAR

MYANMAR EXPELS EAST TIMOR DIPLOMAT OVER WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATION

On February 15, 2026, Myanmar’s military junta announced it had ordered the expulsion of East Timor’s diplomat in response to the country’s decision to launch a war crimes investigation against Myanmar. The move follows a complaint filed by the Chin Human Rights Organization in early February, which accused the junta of committing international crimes. The organization’s legal action, based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, led East Timor to appoint a prosecutor to examine the allegations.

In a statement, Myanmar’s junta expressed “great disappointment” at the decision and demanded that the East Timorese diplomat leave the country.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2 PHILIPPINE SENATORS, CO-PERPETRATORS IN DUTERTE’S ICC CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY CASE

On February 13, 2026, ICC prosecutors named Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Christopher Go as “co-perpetrators” in the crimes against humanity case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The document accuses Duterte and eight others of a “common plan” to “neutralize” alleged criminals through violent means. Dela Rosa, former police chief, and Go, a longtime Duterte ally, denied the allegations. Duterte, 80, faces charges for at least 76 murders linked to his “war on drugs,” which rights groups say killed tens of thousands. Duterte was arrested in March 2025 and is detained in The Hague.

US ENDS TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR YEMENI EXILES

On February 14, 2026, the US government announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemeni nationals, effective in 60 days. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Yemen no longer meets the legal conditions for TPS, which was initially granted in 2015 due to the country’s armed conflict. About 1,400 Yemenis currently benefit from TPS in the US.

US APPOINTS NEW TIBET SPECIAL COORDINATOR, BEIJING FURIOUS

On February 17, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the appointment of Riley Barnes, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, as the new Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. The move, intended to promote the protection of Tibetans’ rights and their linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, sparked immediate condemnation from Beijing. China’s Foreign Ministry denounced the appointment as “interference in its internal affairs,” reiterating that Tibet is a part of China. The US has maintained the Special Coordinator position since 2002, reflecting ongoing concerns over China’s influence in Tibet, including the selection of the next Dalai Lama. Beijing has long labeled the Dalai Lama a separatist and rebel.

ANGOLAN JOURNALIST TARGETED BY SPYWARE

On February 17, 2026, Amnesty International revealed that prominent Angolan journalist Teixeira Candido was targeted with Predator spyware, developed by the Intellexa consortium, in May 2024. The malware, which can access messages, photos, and remotely activate a device’s microphone and camera, was sent via WhatsApp by an unknown attacker posing as a student group representative. The infection lasted less than a day and was removed after Candido restarted his phone. Amnesty could not attribute the attack to a specific government, but noted a broader campaign of digital surveillance in Angola, where recent laws have restricted media freedom and public protests. Intellexa, founded by a former Israeli military officer, has been linked to previous spyware scandals, including in Europe.

SERBIA CONVICTED FOR FAILING TO INVESTIGATE 1991 CROATIAN WAR CRIME

On February 17, 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Serbia failed to conclusively investigate the 1991 murder of a Croatian man during the Yugoslav Wars. The court found Serbia in violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to life. The victim’s son, Vilko Dakovic, will receive €13,730 in compensation. The case relates to the Lovas massacre, where 70 civilians were killed by Yugoslav forces, some forced to walk through minefields. Serbia’s special war crimes prosecutor has convicted 14 former soldiers for the Lovas killings, but the ECHR criticized the length and effectiveness of the investigation, now spanning over three decades.

AZERBAIJAN SENTENCES FORMER KARABAKH LEADER FOR WAR CRIMES

On February 17, 2026, a Baku court sentenced former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison for war crimes, terrorism, and financing terrorism. Vardanyan, a former Russian banker who led the breakaway region from November 2022 to February 2023, denies the charges and claims political persecution. His trial began in January 2025 alongside 15 other former separatist leaders, all facing similar charges. Azerbaijan reclaimed full control of Karabakh in September 2023, leading to the arrest of separatist leaders and the exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians to Armenia. Vardanyan’s conviction follows a series of heavy sentences for former Karabakh officials.

GREECE DECLARES NAZI MASSACRE PHOTOS NATIONAL HERITAGE

On February 18, 2026, Greece declared a set of previously unseen photographs of the 1944 Kaisariani massacre as national heritage, aiming to reclaim them from a Belgian collector. The images, allegedly taken by a German lieutenant, depict the execution of 200 Greek communist militants by Nazi forces, a reprisal for the killing of a German general. Greece’s Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, stated the photos offer a unique perspective on the occupation and will be examined by Greek experts in Belgium. The collector, who listed the photos on eBay, operates a WWII memorabilia platform. The Kaisariani massacre remains a symbol of Nazi atrocities in Greece, where resistance was fierce and the occupation particularly brutal.

FORMER KOSOVO PRESIDENT DECLARES HIS “FULL INNOCENCE” AT WAR CRIMES TRIAL

On February 18, 2026, former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi proclaimed his “full innocence” at the closing of his war crimes trial in The Hague. Prosecutors sought a 45-year sentence for Thaçi and three co-defendants, charging them with murders, torture, and illegal detention of Serbs, Roma, and Albanian political opponents during the 1998–1999 conflict. Thaçi, a former guerrilla leader and Kosovo’s first post-independence president, denied all charges, calling the trial politically motivated. The court, established by Kosovo’s parliament to judge former guerrilla members, will deliver its verdict in the coming months. Thaçi’s supporters, who consider him a war hero, held mass rallies in Pristina.

TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION BACKS “REINTEGRATION” OF KURDISH FIGHTERS

On February 18, 2026, a Turkish parliamentary commission adopted a report recommending the “reintegration” of PKK fighters into society, but ruled out amnesty or the release of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. The 50-member cross-party commission, formed to draft a legal framework for peace with the Kurdish guerrilla group, proposed that former fighters be tried and, if they renounce violence, reintegrated. The report also called for expanded freedom of expression to prevent political opinions from being prosecuted as terrorism. Öcalan, imprisoned since 1999, had urged PKK fighters to disarm in 2025, but the group’s demand for his release remains a sticking point. The commission’s recommendations will be submitted to parliament after Ramadan.

GERMANY WITHDRAWS TROOPS FROM IRAQ

On February 19, 2026, Germany withdrew a “two-digit number” of non-essential troops from its Erbil base in Iraq due to “increasing tensions” in the Middle East. The move, described as precautionary, follows a partial reduction in February and relocates personnel to Jordan. The decision reflects broader regional instability. Only essential command staff remain in Erbil, with most German troops now stationed in Jordan, supporting international operations.

BOSNIA INVESTIGATES NAZI SALUTES AT CROATIAN SINGER’S CONCERT

On February 19, 2026, Bosnian prosecutors launched a preliminary investigation into two concerts by controversial Croatian singer Marko Perković, after videos showed audience members performing Nazi salutes and chanting Ustasha slogans. The concerts, held in the majority-Croat town of Široki Brijeg, featured chants of “Za dom spremni!”, a slogan used by Croatia’s WWII fascist regime. The Israeli ambassador to Bosnia condemned the scenes as “shocking,” while the EU delegation and OSCE expressed concern over the normalization of extremism. Marko Perković’s team denied glorifying Nazism, but Bosnian Serb politicians and civil society groups called for a ban on his performances in Bosnia.