WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Mar. 7th – 13th 2026

SUDAN

MARKET STRIKES IN KORDOFAN KILL CIVILIANS

On March 7, 2026, drone strikes hit two separate markets in Abu Zabad and Wad Banda, areas controlled by the RSF, causing at least 40 civilian casualties. A local resident reported burying 20 people Saturday following the strikes, including 4 family members who worked at the market. A doctor at Abu Zabad hospital confirmed 59 people were injured, with 30 remaining hospitalized. A military source denied targeting civilians. Previously, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) drone strikes killed 50 civilians at a market and a hospital in Muglad, West Kordofan, on March 4. In 2 weeks, over 200 civilians have died across Sudan due to an intensification of sophisticated drone warfare in populated residential areas, schools and hospitals.

CASUALTIES RISE IN MARKET BOMBINGS

On March 8, 2026, drone strikes attributed to the army hit markets in Kordofan and Darfur, killing 33 people and causing a massive fire. Two witnesses reported that a strike in El-Daien, Darfur, targeted a fuel sales area where flames remained active for 4 hours. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that another army strike killed 11 people and injured 20 at a market in Nyala. Additionally, a Red Cross volunteer who was injured in the March 5 strike on Dilling hospital died from her injuries.

UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE HIT IN KOSTI

On March 9, 2026, RSF drones struck Kosti, the capital of White Nile State, hitting a university residence and injuring 7 students. This incident was part of a series of drone attacks in the state reported by the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

DEADLY TRUCK STRIKE IN AL-SUNUT

On March 10, 2026, a drone strike likely conducted by the SAF hit a truck transporting civilians in Al-Sunut, resulting in at least 50 casualties. In West Kordofan, 40 people, mostly women and family members, died when a drone hit a truck traveling to Al-Foula to present condolences for victims of a previous market strike. In Um Dabakir, an RSF drone hit a transformer, causing generalized power outages. Additionally, 7 people, including 3 children, died in a drone strike in Dilling, according to a medical source and an inhabitant. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs blamed RSF for the strikes.

DISPENSARY TARGETED IN SHUKEIRI

On March 11, 2026, RSF drones struck a high school and a dispensary in Shukeiri, White Nile State, causing 17 civilian casualties. A medical source confirmed the toll in the local hospital.

FOREIGN WEAPONS SUPPLY ROUTES

On March 11, 2026, journalists Sophie Pons and Joris Bolomey detailed how regional arms circulation exacerbates the war. Expert Cameron Hudson told the UN Security Council that the UAE built a military airlift to the RSF via Chad, Libya, CAR and South Sudan. Researcher Roland Marchal noted that the UAE uses billions in investments to diversify into gold and Red Sea access. Egypt supports General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane and has blocked land passages in the strategic border triangle since its capture by RSF in June. In Libya, Marshal Khalifa Haftar is accused of providing weapons and fuel to the RSF for the UAE. Charles Bouëssel of International Crisis Group noted that deliveries resumed through N’Djamena, Chad, despite President Mahamat Idriss Deby denying support.

SOUTH SUDAN

ARMY ORDERS EXPULSION OF AID GROUPS

On March 6, 2026, the South Sudanese army ordered the UN mission and NGOs to leave Akobo within 72 hours. Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang stated the town was the next target for offensives and ordered civilians to flee to army controlled areas. UN mission in South Sudan spokesperson Priyanka Chowdhury sought clarification from authorities.

OPPOSITION CLAIMS VICTORY IN AKOBO

On March 11, 2026, clashes occurred in Akobo, Jonglei State. An opposition spokesperson claimed their forces strategically evacuated to trap and defeat the army. They maintained control of the county headquarters, rejecting army claims of reinstalling a commissioner. An anonymous security source confirmed the army entered the town and reported sporadic fighting. Approximately 200,000 people are displaced in the area, with many at Tiergol near the Ethiopian border where no NGOs are present. Some UN personnel remained in the town despite the earlier 72 hour withdrawal order.

TANZANIA

BURUNDIAN REFUGEES FORCED OUT

On March 6, 2026, thousands of Burundian refugees reported the destruction of their camps and forced repatriations by Tanzanian authorities. A witness described Ministry of Interior agents supporting men who destroyed his home in Nduta. Refugees reported the closure of schools and hospitals while criticizing UNHCR passivity during arrests. Burundian Interior Minister Léonidas Ndaruzaniye stated Nduta and Nyarugusu would close by June 2026. Opponent Jean de Dieu expressed fear for his life if he returns to Burundi.

NIGERIA

JIHADIST ATTACKS ON MILITARY BASES

On March 10, 2026, Boko Haram and ISWAP members killed at least 14 people, including 10 soldiers, in coordinated attacks in Borno and Yobe. Army spokesperson Sani Uba confirmed the deaths of several soldiers including a commander in Kukawa. Anti-jihadist militia member Ali Kaka reported a 3 hour battle in Kukawa. In Dalwa, local leader Shettima Isa Bukar said attackers killed 2 soldiers and 4 residents while burning 200 homes. Resident Manu Ibrahim reported 4 soldiers killed and vehicles burned in a Goniri base attack. The previous week, Boko Haram killed 7 soldiers and 11 civilians in Ngoshe. These events follow Donald Trump deploying 200 US troops to assist the army.

ETHIOPIA-ERITREA

WAR CRIMES DENOUNCED IN OROMIA

On March 5, 2026, Amnesty International accused OLA rebels and some ENDF soldiers of possible war crimes in Oromia between 2020 and 2024. Regional director Tigere Chagutah reported summary executions and sexual slavery. The NGO interviewed 10 survivors, including 7 minors. One mother detailed being raped by 15 OLA men alongside her 12 year old daughter for 3 weeks in a cave. Amnesty reported that rapes were often reprisals against families of government forces.

YOUTH FLEE TIGRAY AMID WAR FEARS

In March 2026, hundreds of young men fled Mekelle for Addis Ababa to avoid getting involved in fighting forces. Local administrator Zinabu Gebredhin noted that federal forces have taken positions 10 kilometers from Chercher. Residents reported heavy artillery fire in January and expressed a desire to leave.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

AIR STRIKES HIT GOMA

On March 11, 2026, air strikes targeted several sites in Goma, an eastern city held by the M23 since January. Humanitarian sources reported several people killed during the previous night. One humanitarian worker described hearing two explosions preceded by drone noises. Kinshasa forces regularly conduct long range drone strikes against M23 positions from hundreds of kilometers away. M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma was previously killed in a drone strike near the Rubaya mining site.

FRENCH HUMANITARIAN WORKER KILLED

On March 11, 2026, UNICEF employee Karine Buisset was killed by a drone strike on a building in Goma. MONUSCO confirmed that Buisset and 2 other civilians died in the Himbi neighborhood attack. Security sources suggest her residence was hit by error while targeting M23 officials nearby. M23 accused the DRC army, while Kinshasa announced an investigation. Emmanuel Macron, Antonio Guterres, Stéphane Dujarric and the French foreign ministry expressed indignation. The French national anti-terrorism prosecutor opened a war crime investigation into the death of Karine Buisset. The investigation for murder was entrusted to the French Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity (OCLCH).

MALI

JIHADIST BLOCKADE CAUSES FUEL SHORTAGE

On March 10, 2026, Bamako faced a diesel shortage as supplies were prioritized for Energie du Mali (EDM). The Group of Malian Oil Producers stated diesel is reserved for thermal power plants during a heatwave. JNIM jihadists have blockaded cities since September. Human Rights Watch reported that JNIM executed 10 truck drivers and 2 apprentices in late January near the Senegalese border. Over 100 public transport minicars were stopped in the capital, according to Studio Tamani.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

NGO WORKER ARRESTED IN ZÉMIO

On March 9, 2026, the Ministry of Defense announced the arrest of a French MSF employee near Zémio on March 3. He was suspected of subversive activities among the Azandé people to turn them against authorities. The ministry claimed he entered illegally from the DRC. The French embassy confirmed his well-being. On March 10, MSF announced that a Central African employee was also arrested. Both were transferred to Bangui for custody. These arrests occurred before French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s planned visit to meet President Faustin Archange Touadéra. On March 11, MSF announced that both the French and Central African employees arrested in Zémio were released from detention in Bangui.

GUINEA

GOVERNMENT DISSOLVES 40 POLITICAL PARTIES

On March 7, 2026, the Guinean government dissolved 40 political parties, including the UFDG of Cellou Dalein Diallo, the RPG of Alpha Condé and the UFR of Sidya Touré. This follows Mamadou Doumbouya’s election to a 7 year term. FNDC leader Ibrahima Diallo condemned the act as officializing a dictatorship.

SYSTEMIC DISAPPEARANCES

Activist Abdoul Sacko recounted being tortured by military men after his abduction on February 19, 2025. Sacko and Alseny Farinta Camara of the organization “Tournons la Page” documented 20 enforced disappearances since 2023. Civil society members Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah have been missing since July 2024. Disappearances continue, including the brief abduction of an exiled opponent’s mother and sister on March 3.

BURKINA FASO

JIHADIST ATROCITIES AGAINST CIVILIANS

On March 12, 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that JNIM jihadists killed at least 38 civilians and abducted 9 women in northeast Burkina Faso since late January. Researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi documented three incidents through 20 interviews. On January 29, jihadists abducted 9 women near Sollé, threatening them with rape and death. On February 14, JNIM executed at least 34 civilians during an attack on a military base in Titao. A farmer witnessed men being shot while fleeing. On February 22, jihadists executed 4 merchants in Manni after attacking a gendarmerie post. HRW noted that communities perceived as supporting the Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP) were targeted.

LEBANON

DESTRUCTION IN SOUTH BEIRUT & UN PEACEKEEPERS INJURED

On March 6, 2026, massive Israeli strikes devastated the Dahieh neighborhood, causing residents to flee. On the same day 3 Ghana peacekeepers were critically injured when a missile hit their base in Al Qaouzah. The Ghana army confirmed two soldiers were seriously wounded. President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of a direct attack on FINUL. The FINUL restaurant hall was entirely burned during the incident.

ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 9 IN NABI SHEET

On March 6, 2026, Israeli air strikes killed 9 people and injured 17 in the Bekaa region. The health ministry confirmed the toll following raids on Nabi Sheet in the Baalbek district. The Israeli army claimed to have targeted Hezbollah centers.

BOMBING OF TYR AREA & NABATIYÉ

On March 7, 2026, Israeli jets bombed three buildings in Zuqaq Al Mafdi near the ancient city of Tyre. Colonel Avichay Adraee of the Israeli army had issued an evacuation warning shortly before the strike. The army also called for the evacuation of all areas south of the Litani river. Israeli strikes also killed 8 people near Nabatiyé, on the same day. The health ministry confirmed 6 deaths in Kherbet Selm and 2 in Kfar Rumman.

6 KILLED IN CHMESTAR DURING ISRAELI RAIDS

On March 7, 2026, an Israeli raid in Chmestar killed 6 people, including 4 children. The health ministry confirmed that an entire family who had fled Baalbek died in the dawn strike.

FAILED COMMANDO OPERATION IN BEKAA

On March 7, 2026, Israeli special forces conducted a failed raid in Nabi Chit to find the remains of Israeli pilot Ron Arad. Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that the operation, involving 4 helicopters, did not achieve its objectives. Hezbollah reported engaging the commandos in a cemetery belonging to the Shoukr family. The health ministry reported 41 deaths in the village, including 3 soldiers. The head of the Lebanese Army Rodolphe Haykal stated Israeli soldiers used Lebanese uniforms.

REFUGEE CAMP TARGETED IN THE SOUTH, TOTAL TOLL REACHES 394 DEAD

On March 8, 2026, Israeli jets conducted 2 strikes on the Aïn el Heloué Palestinian refugee camp. On the same day, Minister Rakan Rakan Nassereddine announced that 394 people, including 83 children and 42 women, have been killed in one week. He denounced the targeting of civilians, residences and the health sector buildings. The minister reported that 9 rescuers have died and 4 hospitals were damaged. Total displaced reached 760,000.

HEZBOLLAH DOWNS ISRAELI HELICOPTER & FINANCIAL BRANCH TARGETED

On March 9, 2026, Hezbollah reported destroying an Israeli helicopter during fierce combats near Nabi Chit. The group stated that 15 Israeli helicopters landed commandos after midnight. The Lebanese press ANI confirmed 3 people were killed and 15 injured in Tayr Debba. Isaeli head of staff Eyal Zamir stated that 600 Hezbollah objectives were hit in one week, eliminating 200 members. On the same day, the Israeli army bombed alleged branches of Al Qard al Hassan, a company tied to Hezbollah, in South Beirut. At least 1 person died and 12 were injured in the explosions. This society provides microcredits and interest free loans to the Shiite community. Major Rakan Nassereddine reported the toll reached 486 dead. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Parliament postponed legislative elections by 2 years. Syrian President Ahmad Al Chareh expressed support for disarming Hezbollah. In a call with Ursula von der Leyen, he aligned with Joseph Aoun’s efforts to asserting Lebanese State authority. Damascus has reinforced its border.

RESCUERS KILLED IN TYRE & STRIKE ON AICHA BAKKAR

On March 10, 2026, the Islamic Health Committee reported that 15 of its rescuers have been killed and 30 wounded since the start of the war. A Red Cross rescuer also died from wounds received two days prior when his ambulance was hit in Majdel Zoun. A resident described her house in Nabatiyé being destroyed. A separate attack destroyed an apartment building in Aïcha Bakkar district. The 7th and 8th floors were destroyed, injuring 4 people according to the health ministry. Witnesses detailed the panic as they fled with children.

IRAN ACCUSES ISRAEL OF ASSASSINATING DIPLOMATS

On March 10, 2026, the Iranian mission to the UN accused Israel of killing 4 diplomats in the Ramada hotel strike. The victims were identified as Majid Hassani Kondsar, Alireza Bi Azar, Hossein Ahmadlou and Ahmad Rasouli. Iranian representative Amir Saeid Iravani labelled the act a war crime. Israel maintained that it killed 4 members of the Force Qods and 1 Hezbollah member.

PRIEST BURIED IN QLAYAA

On March 11, 2026, the funeral of priest Pierre Raï took place in Qlayaa. Raï was killed by tank fire on March 9. Hundreds of residents expressed determination to stay in their village. Lebanese General Rodolphe Haykal attended the ceremony and was criticized by women demanding army protection.

CIVILIANS KILLED IN BACHOURA, NETANYAHU THREATENS TO TAKE TERRITORIES

On March 12, 2026, Israeli strikes on Bachoura killed 8 people on the Beirut waterfront. Benjamin Netanyahu and Israël Katz warned that Israel would take Lebanese territory if the government failed to control Hezbollah. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated they were working to stop a war they did not want. Israeli strikes also hit Irkey, killing 9 people including 5 children from 2 families. Witnesses described the carnage at the Ramlet al Bayda waterfront where displaced people were sleeping. On the same day, an Israeli drone strike killed 2 teachers on the Lebanese University campus. The Lebanese press ANI identified one of the victims as Hussein Bazzi, director of a science faculty branch. The campus is located at the edge of the southern suburbs. This strike occurred in daylight following a wave of attacks on 10 targets in Beirut. Colonel Avichay Adraee of the Israeli army ordered residents of south Lebanon to move north of the Zahrani river. This expands the evacuation zone which was previously limited to the Litani river. Hezbollah claimed to have fired missiles at air defense systems in Caesarea.

STRATEGIC LITANI BRIDGE DESTROYED

On March 13, 2026, Israeli air strikes destroyed a concrete bridge over the Litani river. The army stated the Hezbollah used the crossing to reinforce its southern positions and prepare launches. Raids also hit Bourj Hammoud and Bar Elias where 2 sons of an islamist leader were killed. Antonio Guterres arrived in Beirut to assess humanitarian needs. The official toll reached 687 dead and 800,000 displaced in 2 weeks, in Lebanon.

PALESTINE

SETTLER VIOLENCE KILLS PALESTINIANS

On March 7, 2026, Israeli settlers killed Amir Mohammad Shnaran in Wadi al-Rakhim, south of Hebron. Local council head Mohammad Rabai stated Shnaran was shot in the neck while his brother Khaled was shot in the abdomen while trying to move livestock. Rabbi Eliakim Levanon denounced the actions as immoral in an open letter. On March 8, Thaer Faruq Hamayel and Farea Jawdat Hamayel were killed during an attack by 80 settlers in Abu Falah. Witness reported settlers used automatic weapons.

RAFAH CLOSURE

On March 8, 2026, the closure of the Rafah crossing following the offensive against Iran left Gaza residents in despair. A resident described his psychological devastation after his plans to study abroad were halted. Ali Al-Chanti noted that prices have risen as goods become scarce. An hospital patient warned that the closure is a matter of life and death for him. Another resident said she lost hope of reuniting with her husband who is receiving medical care abroad. While OCHA reported some fuel and aid entered through Kerem Shalom, residents described it insufficient.

SDE TEIMAN CASE CLOSED

On March 12, 2026, the Israeli army cancelled the indictment of five soldiers accused of abusing a Palestinian detainee at Sdé Teiman. The soldiers were originally charged in February 2025 with stabbing a prisoner’s rectum in July 2024. The military prosecutor cited procedural difficulties and the fact that the victim, returned to Gaza in November 2025, could no longer testify. Benjamin Netanyahu expressed satisfaction, claiming the case unfairly tarnished Israel’s reputation. The facility previously led to the resignation of the military attorney general who admitted her services leaked a video of the incident.

FATAL CONFRONTATION NEAR NABLUS

On March 12, 2026, Israeli forces killed Maamoune Badaoui Idris Rachdane and Mohammed Ali Bassam Rachdane near Nablus. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the deaths after the army reported neutralizing two individuals who attempted a combined car ramming and shooting attack at the Tapuach junction. No Israeli soldiers were injured. Palestinian Telegram channels reported that all checkpoints in the Nablus region were closed following the incident.

IRAN-GULF-ISRAEL-US

NEW CIVILIAN TOLLS & ALLEGED RUSSIAN INVOLVEMENT

On March 6, 2026, Israeli officials confirmed Iran’s use of cluster munitions in strikes targeting Israel, which is prohibited under international law. US Centcom reported striking over 3,000 targets. Karoline Leavitt, the spoke person of the White House, minimized reports that Russia provided target intelligence to Iran about US activities and location in the region. In Kuwait, 11 year old Elena Abdoullah Hussein was killed by drone debris while sleeping. In Lebanon, Ghana peacekeepers were injured in an attack on Al-Qaouzah base by an Israeli attack. Strikes against Chiraz residential area provoked 20 deaths. The American minister Pete Hegseth stated the war was just beginning. Previously, the US House of Representatives followed the Senate in refusing to limit Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran. The resolution proposed by Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna was rejected 219 to 212. Meanwhile, 43 Ugandan students returned from Iran recounting the trauma of the bombardment campaign. One of them reported that a site near their university had been hit by an air strike.

ARMS DEALS

On March 7, 2026, over 80 Israeli jets hit Iranian military sites while the US approved the sale of 12,000 bombs to Israel. In Dubaï, a Pakistani man died from drone debris, leading to a brief airport closure and suspension of Emirates flights.

MARITIME BLOCKADE AND USE OF WHITE PHOSPHORUS

On March 8, 2026, Tehran oil depots were targeted, causing toxic smoke and gasoline rationing. Trump warned the new Iranian guide would not last long without US approval. Ship attacks in the Hormuz strait, including on the Mussafah 2, nearly stopped all traffic. The CEO of a naval company, Khalid Hashim, reported 3 marins missing after the ship “Mayuree Naree” was hit. HRW accused Israel of using white phosphorus in Yohmor.

NEW SUPREME GUIDE DESIGNATED IN IRAN & RAIDS CONTINUE

On March 9, 2026, Mojtaba Khamenei was named the new Supreme Guide of Iran. Israel kept conducting large scale strikes, including on on Tehran and Ispahan. 1 civilian was killed on a working site in Yehud Monosson, central Israel. Bahreïn and Qatar reported 32 injuries following strikes. UNESCO expressed concern for world heritage sites like Golestan. The Tehran Times, an Iranian English-language daily, published a satellite image on X of a devastated US base in Qatar, claiming it was destroyed by Iranian strikes. The image, however, was an AI-generated fake as confirmed by researchers. These fakes information exploit the “fog of war” and undermine open-source intelligence efforts.

ERRORS AND DIPLOMATIC LOSSES

On March 10, 2026, both Jerusalem and Doha reported explosions. Azerbaijan announced on Tuesday that it had sent humanitarian aid to Iran, a tentative sign of easing tensions just days after a drone attack that raised fears the war spread to the Caucasus. Iranian Kurds described being hunted by drone. An Iranian drone struck the home of a Kurdish refugee, in Soran, a town in Iraq’s Kurdistan region near the Iranian border. As a member of the Iranian Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDKI), he believes their house was deliberately targeted. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth stated US strikes were intensifying.

SCHOOL MASSACRE ATTRIBUTED TO THE US, MULTIPLE ATTACKS IN THE REGION

On March 11, 2026, New York Times reports confirmed a US Tomahawk missile hit a girls’ school in Minab by mistake, killing at least 150 people. A “mistake” by the US military regarding the coordinates of a target is believed to have caused the bombing. Iranian officials Abbas Araghchi and Khatam Al-Anbiya announced Iran would keep targeting regional economic centers and ships in Hormuz. Yousef Pezeshkian, son of Iran’s president and a government advisor, stated on Telegram that Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, is “safe and sound” despite injuries. The New York Times cited three Iranian officials and two Israeli military sources confirming his injuries, though details remain unclear. Mojtaba has not appeared in public since March 9. Iran declared readiness for a prolonged “war of attrition” of at least 6 months, to force a US withdrawal, as US President Donald Trump claimed Iran was “close to defeat.” Two drones crashed near Dubai International Airport, injuring four people: two Ghanaians, one Bangladeshi, and one Indian. A woman was killed and another person seriously injured in a strike on an arms depot in Iraq’s Wasit province. The European Union sanctioned 19 Iranian officials and entities for human rights violations. The sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, are unrelated to the ongoing war.

REPEATED THREATS & 3.2 MILLION DISPLACED IN IRAN

On March 12, 2026, Mojtaba Khamenei promised a riposte. Netanyahu mocked Mojtaba for hiding his face and vowed to crush the regime. Israel hit Bassidj checkpoints in Tehran. Witness accounts from Tehran detailed black rain from oil fires and banking failures at Sepah bank. HCR reported 3.2 million internal displaced in Iran.

INTENSIFIED EXPLOSIONS AND LOSSES

On March 13, 2026, Oman reported 2 foreign worker deaths from drone strikes in Sohar. The French President Emmanuel Macron announced a French soldier died in Erbil while Iraqi group Ashab al-Kahf threatened French interests following the deployment of the aircraft carrier “Charles de Gaulle”. Massive explosions hit central Tehran during Qods day rallies. Donald Trump temporarily lifted Russian oil sanctions to stabilize prices.

AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN

UN REPORTS MASSIVE CIVILIAN LOSSES

On March 6, 2026, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reported that 56 Afghan civilians, including 24 children and 6 women, were killed in border clashes since February 26. The total toll for 2026 reached 69 deaths and 141 injuries. Volker Türk urged both parties to prioritize humanitarian assistance for 22 million people. In Islamabad, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated the army is targeting “terrorist” sites in areas like the Green Zone of Kabul.

SHELLING KILLS CIVILIANS IN KOT

On March 11, 2026, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban government, announced that Pakistani shells killed 3 civilians in Kot, Paktia province. Medical sources confirmed the deaths occurred when shells hit residential homes. Hamdullah Fitrat accused the Pakistani military of war crimes after hundreds of artillery rounds hit Khost, Paktia, Paktika and Nouristan.

AIR STRIKES HIT KABUL AND KANDAHAR

On March 13, 2026, Pakistani bombardments killed 6 people, including several women, across Afghanistan. Police spokesperson Khalid Zadran confirmed 4 deaths and 15 injuries in Kabul’s 21st district. Local representative Abdul Rahim Tarakhil stated no military posts were in the area. Survivors detailed the destruction of his home during the night. In Kandahar, official Shafiullah Riyaz reported a strike on a Kam Air fuel depot used by UN and ICRC. In Nangarhar, police spokesperson Sayed Tayeeb Hammad confirmed a woman and child were killed by shells. The OIM reported significant damage to its transit center in Torkham.

EASTERN EUROPE

HUNGARY ACCUSED OF TAKING HOSTAGES & DRONE ATTACKS IN KHERSON

On March 6, 2026, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga accused Hungarian authorities of taking 7 Oschadbank employees hostage in Budapest. The employees were convoying 35 million euros and 9 kilos of gold from Raiffeisen Bank in Austria when their vehicles were stopped. Andriï Sybiga described the act as state racketeering. Oschadbank confirmed the vehicles remained in central Budapest while the location of the staff was unknown. On the same day, Governor Vladimir Saldo reported that Ukrainian drones killed 2 civilians near a grocery store in Olechky, Kherson. The drones reportedly dropped explosive charges on people gathered before the store opened. Saldo stated 12 others were injured.

UKRAINIAN LEGION RECRUITS ABUSED

On March 6, 2026, exactions committed by South American volunteers against their own members, within the Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) were reported. Recrue Bruno Gabriel Leal da Silva died from beatings in the Advanced Company unit led by Leanderson Paulino. The unit belongs to the tactical group commanded by Bohdan Khodakovskyi. Sources confirmed frequent mistreatment between South American recruits. The GUR also reportedly expedited the release of 2 French Guyanese recruits who deserted after being misled by a Brazilian recruiter linked to organized crime.

MASSIVE RAIDS ACROSS ELEVEN REGIONS

On March 7, 2026, Russian missile strike on a Kharkiv apartment building killed 10 people, including a 13 year old girl and a 9 year old boy. 16 people were injured as rescuers searched for victims in the Soviet era building. In Dnipropetrovsk, 1 died in Nikopol following Russian attacks. Injuries were also confirmed in Zaporijjia and Chuguiv.

STRIKE ON OCCUPIED ZAPORIJJIA

On March 8, 2026, a Ukrainian drone strike on an apartment building in Vassylivka killed 1 woman. Over 10 people were injured in the occupied zone. Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russian forces of targeting firemen in Velyka Babka. A drone strike hit a house, and a second drone destroyed the fire truck arriving to extinguish the fire.

DRONE EXPERTISE SENT TO THE GULF

On March 9, 2026, Kiev announced sending military experts to the Middle East to help Gulf countries intercept Iranian drones. The army uses its experience with Shahed and Gueran 2 models to assist allies. Konstantyn, an antiaircraft commander, noted the war has shifted to drone against drone combat. Ukraine also uses F 16, Mi 24 helicopters and Yak 52 planes to counter drones entering its territory.

CIVILIANS TARGETED IN SLOVIANSK & STRATEGIC FACTORY HIT IN BRIANSK

On March 10, 2026, Russian air strikes on Sloviansk killed 4 people and injured 16 others. Three aerial bombs hit the city center, damaging 6 buildings and 10 vehicles. A 14 year old girl was among the wounded. Sloviansk remains one of the last major cities held by Kiev in the Donetsk region. Ukraine used British Storm Shadow missiles to strike the Kremny military factory in Briansk. Russian official Alexandre Bogomaz initially reported 6 civilian deaths and 37 injuries. Dmitri Peskov, the spokeperson of the Russian government, accused British nationals of direct involvement in the launch.

UN ACCUSES RUSSIA OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

On March 10, 2026, a UN commission accused Russia of crimes against humanity for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. The report linked the policy directly to Vladimir Poutine. While 1,205 cases were confirmed, thousands are believed to have been transferred. The commission noted that 80% of examination cases did not result in children returning home.

RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN DRONE STRIKES

On March 11, 2026, a Russian drone attack on Kharkiv’s Shevchenkivsky district killed 2 people and injured 7 others. A business building was set on fire during the raid. In Briansk, the Russian official Alexandre Bogomaz updated the toll from the earlier Kremny factory strike to 7 deaths and 42 injuries. In Kherson, a Russian drone hit a minibus, injuring 20 people. In occupied Zaporijjia, 2 men were killed when a Ukrainian drone hit their car near Vassilivka.

ADOLESCENT KILLED IN MENSKA

On March 12, 2026, a Russian strike on the village of Menska killed a 15 year old girl and injured her parents. Local authorities confirmed 2 residential buildings were damaged near Tcherniguiv. Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev met with US negotiators Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum in Florida. Steve Witkoff confirmed they discussed various topics.

EUROPEAN DRONE PRODUCTION EXPANDS

On March 12, 2026, reports indicated that Ukrspecsystems opened a production line in Mildenhall, UK. UK minister Luke Pollard and Ukrainian diplomat Valery Zaloujny inaugurated the site which will assemble Shark drones. The UK facility is announced to help transpose Ukrainian expertise. Other partnerships include Skyfall drones production in Denmark. The company Fire Point has begun construction in Denmark of a plant to produce propellant used in missiles and drones. Similar programs like Summa Defense in Finland and QFI in Germany were also reported.

MYANMAR

MIDDLE EAST WAR OVERSHADOWS CRISIS

On March 12, 2026, UN Rapporteur Tom Andrews warned that the Middle East conflict is aggravating the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. He noted that aid has decreased since Donald Trump returned to power while military air attacks on civilians rose to 1,140 last year.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & RELATIONS

PERU RESPONSIBLE FOR FORCED STERILIZATION

On March 6, 2026, the Inter American Court of Human Rights declared Peru responsible for the forced sterilization and death of Celia Edith Ramos Durand. Court President Rodrigo Mudrovitsch read the judgment regarding the 1997 incident. The Cedaw committee reported that 300,000 women were affected by this systematic policy under Alberto Fujimori. Although 7,000 victims are registered, the parquet noted only 3,000 cases have preliminary investigations with no convictions yet.

TRIAL FOR A JIHADIST IN FRANCE

On March 9, 2026, the trial of Océane Granger started in Paris. She is accused of joining the Islamic State and compromising the safety of her child who died in a war zone. The trial also involves the child’s father, Amirouche Belounis, who is presumed dead. The anti-terrorist prosecutor office reported that 33 women await trial, including Emilie König in November 2026. Carole Sun, in a similar situation, was previously sentenced to 10 years in 2022.

SYRIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICER INCULPATED IN UK

On March 9, 2026, the first UK inculpation of a Syrian national for crimes against humanity was reported. A 58 year old former colonel, Salem al-Salem, in the air force intelligence during the war, was charged for his role in the 2011 repression in Damas. He is suspected of directing a group in the Jobar district responsible for murder and torture. He appeared the next day before a London court. Judge Paul Goldspring granted him bail due to his neurodegenerative disease and use of a respiratory tube. He must remain under medical surveillance in Buckinghamshire.

DANISH COURT EXAMINES F 35 SALES WHILE SWISS ARMS EXPORTS REBOUND

On March 10, 2026, the Danish Supreme Court reviewed a lawsuit by Al Haq, ActionAid, Oxfam and Amnesty Denmark. Representative Dina Hashem stated that Israel commits war crimes in Gaza using Danish components from the Terma company. The court must decide if NGOs can contest arms licenses. Meanwhile, Swiss arms exports rose 43% in 2025 to 948.2 million francs. Clarence Chollet of the Green party criticized exports to the US given its involvement in illegal conflicts. The Swiss parliament recently eased restrictions to allow exports to 25 countries.

SPAIN CUT DIPLOMATIC LINKS WITH ISRAEL

On March 11, 2026, Felipe VI signed a decree ending Ana María Sálomon Pérez’s functions as ambassador to Israel. The government of Pedro Sánchez has been a vocal critic of Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza and Iran. José Manuel Albares cited diplomatic insults from Israel as reasons for the recall. Israeli minister of foreign affairs Gideon Saar previously labeled Sánchez a liar and anti-Semite.

EVACUATION FIRMS DEPLOYED IN GULF

On March 11, 2026, AFP reported that specialized security firms reported a surge in demand for evacuating corporate personnel from the Middle East following the US-Israel coalition airstrikes that began on February 27–28. Companies like Amarante, International SOS, and IRENA activated crisis units, fielding calls from multinational corporations, NGOs, and universities seeking to protect employees, many of them Americans, Indians, French, and Swiss, caught in the region, including expats, business travelers, and even vacationers. With airports closed, firms organized road convoys using local drivers and guides to navigate borders, moving people from the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and Israel to opened airports in Oman and Saudi Arabia. Beatrix Renaut of International SOS noted that companies in usually safe countries like the UAE were unprepared, as the conflict affected multiple nations simultaneously. Evacuations continue, with firms handling hundreds of cases each, though costs and client details remain confidential.

UN DENOUNCES TRUMP’S RACIST SPEECH

On March 11, 2026, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Cerd) expressed deep concern over Donald Trump’s racist hate speech. The committee stated that his dehumanizing language and stereotypes against migrants and refugees fuel grave human rights abuses. This follows the intensification of immigration repression operations in the US.

CPI OPENS PROBE INTO BELARUS

On March 12, 2026, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s office announced it had launched an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed by Belarusian authorities against opposition figures in Lithuania. The Baltic state has become a haven for tens of thousands of Belarusians fleeing the violent crackdown on 2020 protests against President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. Lithuania urged the ICC in September 2024 to investigate, claiming some alleged crimes occurred on its soil. The ICC prosecutor found “reasonable grounds to believe” that crimes, including deportation and persecution, were committed “at least in part on Lithuanian territory” as part of a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population.” Exiled opposition members report threats from Minsk’s KGB security services abroad. According to rights group Viasna, Belarus holds 1,139 political prisoners.

CHINA INTRODUCES “ETHNIC UNITY” LAW

On March 12, 2026, the National People’s Congress adopted a law for ethnic unity. Researcher Yalkun Uluyol of HRW described it as a radical shift marginalizing minority languages in favor of mandarin. NGOs stated that mandarin mastery will become an economic filter for Mongols. The law also criminalizes “religious extremism” and “separatist activities”, which could serve as a pretext to repress minorities. The PEN organization reported that 80% of Mongolian websites were already censored.

LIBERIAN COMMANDER TO FACE TRIAL

On March 12, 2026, a Belgian court ordered Martina Johnson to trial for crimes against humanity. The former NPFL commander is accused of involvement in massacres during the 1992 Operation Octopus in Monrovia, Liberia. Lawyer Luc Walleyn filed the initial complaint in 2012. Civitas Maxima described the decision as a crucial step for victims of the civil war that killed 250,000 people.

EXPERTS RESERVED ON VENEZUELA AMNESTY

On March 12, 2026, UN experts Maria Eloisa Quintero expressed serious reserves on the amnesty law promulgated by Delcy Rodriguez. The mission noted the law was adopted with no consultation and fails to recognize state responsibility for abuses. Ten former political prisoners attended the session in Geneva. Camilo Castro, a Frenchman recently released, demanded reparations for all victims. Olnar Ortiz of Foro Penal stated that repression remains unchanged with 508 people still imprisoned.

CUBA RELEASES 51 PRISONERS

On March 13, 2026, the Cuban government announced the release of 51 prisoners following Vatican mediation. The foreign ministry described the move as a sign of goodwill during high tensions with the US. The prisoners had served a significant part of their sentences with good conduct. In 2025, Cuba committed to release 553 people after Joe Biden removed the country from the state sponsors of terrorism list, a measure later revoked by Donald Trump.