WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Jul 4th – 10th 2026

SUDAN

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: At least 15

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: El-Obeid, Wadi Fungo (Chadian border)

PERPETRATORS: Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

VICTIMS: Civilians, Zaghawa community

330 CHILDREN KILLED OR INJURED IN SUDAN WAR ACCORDING TO UNICEF

On July 6, 2026, UNICEF Director for Sudan Sheldon Yett alerted that at least 330 children were killed or injured during the first six months of the year. Children are being targeted in their homes, on roads, in markets, and while trying to access essential services like education and healthcare. The city of El-Obeid has been shelled for weeks by paramilitaries targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants, water networks, and schools. The United Nations issued a red alert as the Rapid Support Forces prepare for a deadly offensive on the city, endangering 500,000 people. There are concerns that El-Obeid could experience atrocities similar to those committed during the October 2025 assault on El-Fasher.

RSF PARAMILITARIES RAZE DARFUR VILLAGES AND KILL CIVILIANS

On July 6, 2026, survivors reported that Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries devastated numerous Sudanese villages near the Chadian border. The International Organization for Migration stated that more than 3,500 people from the village of Wadi Fungo were forced to flee. Witnesses described an assault involving dozens of paramilitary vehicles where fighters burned houses and left bodies in the streets. Fighters killed those unable to escape. The United Nations and Amnesty International have identified signs of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, particularly targeting the Zaghawa non-Arab community. The regular Sudanese army was also accused of war crimes and failing to protect displaced persons.

DRONE STRIKES KILL 15 CIVILIANS

On July 7, 2026, the independent group Emergency Lawyers reported that 15 civilians died in drone strikes across 2 RSF controlled areas. A strike against a vehicle carrying wedding guests on July 6 resulted in 13 deaths, including 5 women. 2 other people were killed in a separate bombardment targeting a water transport vehicle. These attacks occurred in sectors north of El-Obeid, a strategic axis linking Rapid Support Forces territories in Darfur to army held areas in the east. The city of El-Obeid has been under siege by paramilitaries for several months. The specific perpetrators of these drone strikes were not identified by Emergency Lawyers.

SOUTH SUDAN

50 PERCENT INCREASE IN WAR WOUNDED EVACUATIONS BY ICRC

On July 7, 2026, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that it evacuated 266 wounded persons during the first half of the year. This represents a 50 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. Rose Ochieng, the health coordinator for the organization in South Sudan, explained that the intensification of conflict since late 2025 has deprived thousands of families of safe access to healthcare. Fighting has resumed between government forces loyal to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and opposition militias loyal to his rival, the deposed Vice President Riek Machar. The health system is under severe strain due to growing humanitarian needs and diminishing funding. Most patients are transported by air to the military hospital in Juba, which constantly operates at over 100 percent capacity. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan reported a significant increase in civilian deaths and sexual violence victims during the first quarter of 2026. Between January and March, 767 civilians were killed and 457 were wounded. Conflict related sexual violence increased by 78 percent compared to the previous year, reflecting its deliberate use as a weapon of war.

ETHIOPIA

TIGRAY AUTHORITIES FORCIBLY RECRUIT MINORS

On July 6, 2026, Laetitia Bader, Deputy Director for Africa at Human Rights Watch, reported that Tigrayan regional authorities are forcibly recruiting men and teenagers. Security forces loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front conduct night raids and abductions in workplaces and streets. Some recruits are as young as 15 years old. The local organization Human Rights First Ethiopia also denounced forced military recruitment in most areas of Tigray, citing 27 witnesses. Regional authorities recently passed a law instituting mandatory conscription and granting broad powers to local forces to enroll those who resist. One escaped fighter told Human Rights Watch he was arrested at home by men in Tigray Defense Forces uniforms along with teenagers aged 16 or 17. Although Tigrayan leaders and the federal government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a peace agreement in 2022, tensions have resurfaced. Both sides now accuse each other of preparing a new offensive, with recent troop movements. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front has denied all allegations of forced recruitment.

NIGERIA

CHOLERA EPIDEMIC KILLS DOZENS AMIDST JIHADIST INSURGENCY

On July 10, 2026, medical sources and residents indicated that a cholera epidemic has killed dozens of people in northeastern Nigeria. Communities in the Lake Chad region, where the Islamic State in West Africa Province exercises significant control, are particularly affected. The outbreak began in mid June following a previous wave that killed over 70 people around Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. A medical source at the Monguno clinic reported receiving an average of 50 patients per day with a 40 percent mortality rate. Insecurity and curfews imposed to prevent jihadist attacks contribute to the high death toll because victims must often wait until dawn to seek treatment. Doctors Without Borders reported approximately 8,000 suspected cases and 74 deaths across 14 districts between May and June.

BURKINA FASO

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 7

LOCALITIES: Di, Solhan, and Séguénéga

PERPETRATORS: Jihadist groups

VICTIMS: Civilian auxiliaries for the of the homeland defense

22 KILLED IN JIHADIST ATTACKS

On July 7, 2026, security sources indicated that at least 22 soldiers and civilian auxiliaries died during new jihadist offensives in northern Burkina Faso. On July 4, jihadists targeted an intervention battalion base in Di, killing 14 soldiers and 7 members of civilian volunteers for the of the homeland defense. Another attack struck the detachment in Solhan, causing heavy human and material losses. A third attack on July 5 targeted a military post in Séguénéga near Kaya. The Group to Support Islam and Muslims claimed responsibility for several of these operations. The military regime led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré does not officially communicate the number of soldiers killed but claimed to have neutralized over 400 terrorists in response. Burkina Faso accused France of supporting jihadists and acting against its interests. Paris denied these allegations and withdrew its diplomats, requiring Burkinabè diplomatic personnel to leave France. The junta has since turned to partners like Russia and formed the Alliance of Sahel States.

KENYA

ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF JOURNALIST BY POLICE

On July 7, 2026, Angela Quintal, Africa Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, demanded an investigation into the attempted abduction of Alex Kiprotich. Alex Kiprotich, the deputy editor in chief of The Standard, reported that armed men in civilian clothes blocked his car near Nakuru on June 27. He escaped by locking his doors and driving away. An investigation revealed that the vehicle used by the attackers belonged to the police Criminal Intelligence and Research Bureau. The police spokesperson dismissed the allegations. The incident occurred 3 days after President William Ruto publicly attacked the newspaper and its majority shareholder, Gideon Moi, the son of former autocrat Daniel Arap Moi. Ruto accused the publication of being blackmailer propaganda. The Standard has recently published headlines critical of Ruto’s government ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Human rights defenders are also demanding information on the whereabouts of militants Maxwell Kiarie and Abdulaziz Molu, who were abducted in June. Raymond Omollo, Minister Delegate for Homeland Security, denied that any kidnappings are occurring under the current presidency.

MALI

COORDINATED ATTACKS TARGET THE ARMY AND KENIEROBA PRISON

On July 4, 2026, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front, announced that coordinated jihadist and rebel attacks hit multiple Malian towns. Starting at 5 a.m., offensives targeted Gao, Anefis, Aguelhok, and Sévaré. The Kenieroba prison located 70 kilometers south of Bamako, which holds jihadist detainees, was also attacked. The Azawad Liberation Front reported capturing several posts and taking Malian military prisoners in Anefis. While the Malian army claimed to have repelled the attacks and neutralized 20 terrorists, it admitted 1 death in its own ranks at Gao. These combats follow previous major offensives in April where the Group to Support Islam and Muslims and the Azawad Liberation Front took control of the strategic city of Kidal and killed the Minister of Defense. Since September 2025, the jihadist group has also conducted several blockades of the capital, causing severe shortages and damaging the economy.

RUSSIAN AND MALIAN TROOPS ATTACKED IN ANEFIS

On July 6, 2026, security sources and local officials reported continued fighting for the control of the Anefis camp in northern Mali. A coalition of Tuareg independence fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front and jihadists from the Group to Support Islam and Muslims are attempting to seize the facility. Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps and a few Malian soldiers are currently entrenched inside the camp. Tuareg reinforcements arrived in Anefis on July 6 with dozens of armed vehicles. A Malian army convoy traveling from Gao to assist the besieged troops was forced to retreat after falling into an ambush. Security journalists from the Wamaps collective stated that between 5 and 8 military vehicles were destroyed. Local sources also reported the destruction of at least 1 army helicopter. The town of Anefis is considered crucial for maintaining rebel control over the city of Kidal, located 100 kilometers away.

WEST AFRICA BECOMES THE NEW CENTER OF GLOBAL JIHADISM

On July 9, 2026, security analysts warned that West Africa has become the global center of jihadism with millions of people living under extremist authority. Groups such as the Group to Support Islam and Muslims, the Islamic State, and Boko Haram have doubled the extent of their attacks in the Sahel since 2020. Acled noted that these groups are now capable of conducting large scale operations and competing with State control in rural areas. Residents in Sahel reported that jihadists enforce Sharia law and collect taxes while promising protection. Some other residents claimed jihadist justice is often seen as more effective than State institutions as public authorities are sometimes perceived as neglecting rural areas.

MALIAN ARMY AND RUSSIAN ALLIES RECAPTURE ANEFIS

On July 10, 2026, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front, confirmed that Malian troops and Africa Corps paramilitaries regained control of Anefis. Tuareg rebels stated they decided to leave the city. A military source indicated that a convoy of dozens of vehicles from Gao reached the town on July 9 after breaking through rebel obstacles. The operation was supported by aerial cover and followed the recent delivery of military equipment by plane to the northern region. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane claimed that 95 percent of the opposing forces were Russian paramilitaries. He also asserted that his fighters killed a Malian army colonel during the fighting. Despite this victory, Mali continues to face a deep security and economic crisis involving jihadist groups and organized crime.

LEBANON

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: at least 5

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: at least 1

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: Majdal Zoun, Mansouri, Nabatiyé al-Fawqa, Nabatiyé, and Ali al-Taher ridge PERPETRATORS: Israeli Army

VICTIMS: Civilians

ISRAELI ARMY KILLS 1 IN OCCUPIED SOUTH

On July 4, 2026, the Israeli army indicated that its soldiers identified and killed an armed individual in the Majdal Zoun sector. The military described the person as a terrorist operating within the “security zone” of southern Lebanon. The troops opened fire and eliminated the man, though they did not specify if he belonged to the Hezbollah. According to the official Lebanese National News Agency, an Israeli helicopter conducted an extensive search operation around Majdal Zoun and fired 5 missiles at the village. A separate Israeli strike on the village of Mansouri resulted in 1 person being wounded. Artillery fire was also reported in the region. These hostilities occur despite a precarious ceasefire following a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington.

4 CIVILIANS KILLED IN ISRAELI DRONE STRIKE

On July 6, 2026, Lebanese authorities reported that 4 people died in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon. The victims included a school director, her mother, a foreign domestic worker, and a Syrian laborer. The National News Agency stated that the drone targeted their car as they returned from a family visit in Nabatiyé al-Fawqa. An Israeli army spokesperson claimed the vehicle approached Israeli troops in a security zone and that soldiers felt they were in danger. Hezbollah blamed the Lebanese State for failing to provide protection. President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the presence of Israeli troops prevents the Lebanese army from deploying in the South. He called for international pressure on Israel to withdraw from occupied areas. While over 600,000 displaced people have returned to Lebanon since June 22, many border localities remain largely destroyed and inaccessible.

LEBANON DEMANDS ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL

On July 8, 2026, a diplomatic source stated that Lebanon requires Israel to withdraw from 2 zones before participating in Rome negotiations. The talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials are scheduled for July 15 and 16 under American mediation. The framework agreement signed on June 26 mentions that the Lebanese army will deploy in areas from which Israel withdraws. However, this withdrawal is conditional upon the disarmament of Hezbollah, which the pro-Iranian group refuses.

2 DEAD IN ISRAELI DRONE ATTACKS

On July 10, 2026, Lebanese State media announced that an Israeli drone strike killed 1 person in the South. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that a young man from the town of Nabatiyé was killed while riding a motorcycle. The Israeli army confirmed it killed 2 individuals in the Nabatiyé region during separate operations. It alleged one strike targeted a Hezbollah member near a tunnel access point on the Ali al-Taher ridge. The military also stated it neutralized a “suspect” in a vehicle that posed a threat to soldiers in a security zone.

SYRIA

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 1

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: 32

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: Damascus

PERPETRATORS: Unidentified

VICTIMS: Civilians

1 KILLED & 36 WOUNDED IN BOMB ATTACKS DURING FRENCH PRESIDENT VISIT

On July 7, 2026, authorities reported that 2 bombs exploded near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron spent the night in Damascus. The explosions occurred simultaneously just after the President departed for the presidential palace to meet with his counterpart, Ahmad al-Chareh. 1 was killed and 36 were wounded, including 4 police officers. One artisanal device was hidden in a trash bin and the other was placed in a vehicle near the Four Seasons hotel. Journalists reported seeing blood on the sidewalks and shattered windows at the Ministry of Tourism. Despite the security risks, Macron chose to stay in the Syrian capital to support the political transition following 13 years of civil war. During the visit, the 2 leaders signed economic agreements and participated in a forum for the reconstruction of Syria. French CEOs accompanied the French delegation.

OPCW RESTORES SYRIAN RIGHTS

On July 9, 2026, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announced the restoration of Syria’s voting rights. Director General Fernando Arias stated that the new government in Damascus has taken concrete measures to dismantle its arsenal of prohibited substances. Syria’s rights were originally suspended in 2021 after investigations confirmed that the air force of Bashar al-Assad used sarin and chlorine gas against its own population. Damascus has committed to its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. This decision aims for the complete and verified elimination of all remaining chemical weapons associated with the previous regime.

PALESTINE

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 15

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: At least 4

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: Qalandia refugee camp (West Bank), Khan Yunis (Nasser Hospital area), al-Mawasi, Gaza City (Al-Shifa area), and Nuseirat refugee camp

PERPETRATORS: Israeli forces

VICTIMS: Palestinians civilians

16 YEAR OLD PALESTINIAN ADOLESCENT KILLED BY ISRAELI FORCES

On July 5, 2026, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that Israeli forces shot and killed a 16 year old boy in the West Bank. Walid Nidal Walid Abou Sneineh died from gunfire during an operation in the Qalandia refugee camp near Ramallah. 2 other boys aged 14 were also wounded in the limbs during the same incident. The Israeli army did not provide an immediate comment regarding the events.

HAMAS DISSOLVES GOVERNING BODIES IN GAZA

On July 6, 2026, the Hamas movement announced it dissolved its governing instances in Gaza after nearly 20 years of power. Ismaïl al-Thawabta, director of the government media office, stated that Mohammed al-Farra resigned from the emergency committee to facilitate a transition. Administration will be handed over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, led by Ali Shaath. This committee was created by the Peace Council established by American President Donald Trump during ceasefire negotiations in October 2025. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem explained that this move aims to deprive Israel of pretexts for continuing its war. However, the disarmament of Hamas remains a major point of blockage in negotiations.

ISRAELI OPPOSITION CRITICIZES COMMISSION OF INQUIRY FOR OCTOBER 7

On July 7, 2026, opposition leader Yaïr Lapid and families of victims criticized a bill establishing a commission to investigate the October 7 attacks. The project was adopted in a first reading while the opposition boycotted the vote. Lapid stated that the only purpose of the commission is to whitewash those responsible and prevent a real investigation. The October Committee, founded by victims families, demanded an independent and impartial instance instead of what they called a dissimulation committee. Traditionally, independent commissions in Israel are appointed by the Supreme Court and have the power to recommend dismissals. However, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to let the Court handle nominations. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot also condemned the political nature of the proposed panel. The opposition has already refused to participate in this mechanism. Final votes on the legislation could occur next week or after the October elections.

JOURNALIST DESCRIBES ISRAELI PRISON AS A CEMETERY

On July 8, 2026, journalist Mujahid Bani Mufleh denounced the brutal conditions of his 6 month detention in an Israeli prison. The reporter was arrested at his home in June 2025 in front of his children. He reported being beaten inside a military vehicle and losing 20 kilograms during his incarceration. Mujahid Bani Mufleh was held under administrative detention without formal charges or evidence of his alleged incitement to violence. Following his release, he needed multiple surgeries, including the partial removal of his skull. His wife Noha al-Sharafa confirmed his critical state and ongoing recovery in a Jenin hospital. International organizations have noted a deterioration of detention conditions since October 2023. The Committee to Protect Journalists recorded 108 arrests of media workers in the zone during this period, with 102 carried out by Israel.

8 PALESTINIANS KILLED BY ISRAELI FIRE IN GAZA STRIP

On July 8, 2026, the Civil Defense in Gaza reported that 8 people died in various locations due to Israeli airstrikes and gunfire. Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis received the bodies of 4 people, including a woman and a 10 year old child, who were killed in a strike on a tent for displaced persons. The facility also received the body of truck driver Ahmad Salim, who was shot by soldiers in the al-Mawasi area. The Israeli army claimed Ahmad Salim ran toward soldiers, posing an immediate threat. In Gaza City, Al-Shifa Hospital received 3 more bodies, including a child killed by gunfire in the east and a man killed in an airstrike in the west. Israel confirmed conducting an airstrike on Gaza City while asserting that it is investigating the other incidents. At least 1,084 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the truce began in October 2025. Israel reported losing 6 men during the same period.

ISRAEL PREVENTS ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY FROM VISITING WEST BANK

On July 8, 2026, Nabil Fahmy, the new Secretary General of the Arab League, affirmed that Israel blocked his trip to Ramallah. The former Egyptian diplomat had intended to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for his first foreign visit since taking office. The Palestinian Authority informed Fahmy that Israeli occupation authorities refused to grant him access to the occupied territories. Nabil Fahmy criticized the situation in the West Bank, stating that Palestinians are besieged in their towns and targeted by settler brutality and terrorism. The Arab League, founded in 1945, remains the primary regional organization for political consultation in the Arab world.

ISRAELI DRONE STRIKE ON REFUGEE CAMP KILLS 6 PEOPLE

On July 9, 2026, Civil Defense and medical sources stated that 6 people died in Israeli airstrikes and fire across the Gaza Strip. An Israeli drone strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza killed 2 people and wounded several others. 4 other individuals were killed in separate attacks in various locations. A security source in Gaza reported that one strike targeted the vehicle of Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem, killing his bodyguard. Qassem was not inside the vehicle at the time of the explosion. Local hospitals confirmed receiving the bodies of all 6 victims. The Israeli army did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment.

IRAN-GULF-ISRAEL-US

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 14

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: 79

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: Strait of Hormuz, Bushehr province, Choghadak, and American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.

PERPETRATORS: US Military, Iranian Military.

VICTIMS: Iranian civilians, commercial vessel crews.

HOUTHIS ESTABLISH MILITIAS BASED ON IRANIAN MODEL

The Houthi rebel movement in Yemen announced the creation of a new internal structure called the General Mobilization Forces to tighten control over the local population. This organization is modeled after the Iranian Bassidji and aims to deploy thousands of volunteers across every district to monitor residents and suppress internal discontent. The recruitment of these volunteers, with infantry-like training and group ideology, targeted young men and impoverished social classes in exchange for food parcels. This mobilization occurs as the Houthi leadership faces financial constraints and internal fractures following the 2025 deaths of their military operations chief and several ministers in American and Israeli bombings.

3 COMMERCIAL VESSELS ATTACKED

On July 7, 2026, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that 3 ships were attacked within 24 hours in the Strait of Hormuz, causing international tension despite a standing ceasefire. A tanker sailing south 8 nautical miles east of Limah off the coast of Oman was struck on its port side by a projectile which caused a fire, while another tanker suffered structural damage and a third vessel was hit by a drone. The American website Axios quoted 2 United States officials stating that Iran fired at least 2 missiles at commercial ships. Majed al-Ansari, the spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, identified one of the targeted ships as the Qatari liquefied natural gas carrier Al-Rakayyat and held Tehran responsible for the attack. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaïl Baghaï called these accusations unacceptable.

US LAUNCHES AIRSTRIKES AND RESTORES SANCTIONS

On July 8, 2026, the United States military launched a series of powerful strikes against Iran and reinstated economic sanctions on Iranian oil in response to attacks on commercial vessels. US President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire with Iran was finished after the United States Central Command reached approximately 90 military targets, including air defense systems, to degrade Iranian capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz. These hostilities followed accusations from Qatar and Saudi Arabia against Iran regarding strikes on ships. The Iranian military retaliated by claiming to have hit 85 installations on American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain using kamikaze drones and missiles, causing 1 injury in Kuwait according to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense.

WAR’S BACK, 14 KILLED 

On July 9, 2026, the Iranian Ministry of Health announced that 14 people were killed and 78 others were injured over 2 days of American airstrikes across the country. Hossein Kermanpour, the head of public relations for the Ministry, stated that 47 victims remained hospitalized after the United States targeted 5 provinces despite the ceasefire agreement. Ehsan Jahanian, the deputy governor of the southern province of Bushehr, reported that strikes hit the perimeter of the country’s only active nuclear power plant, a military base in Choghadak, and a pier. Meanwhile, the Jordanian army intercepted Iranian missiles that violated its airspace during an attack on the Al-Azraq military base.

ALI KHAMENEI BURIED IN MASHHAD

On July 10, 2026, the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was buried in his hometown of Mashhad after 6 days of national funerals marked by renewed military conflict. An Iranian fighter jet escorted the aircraft carrying the coffin of the leader, who was killed on February 28 during an air strike on the first day of the war. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that his army remains on high alert and ready to strike Iran if necessary.

AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 4

LOCALITIES: Balochistan

PERPETRATORS: Islamist fighters, Balochistan Liberation Army

VICTIMS: Civilians

DEATH TOLL REACHES 42 IN BALOCHISTAN INSURGENCY ATTACKS

On July 8, 2026, the Pakistani military announced that 42 people, including at least 4 civilians and numerous security personnel, were killed during 3 separate attacks over the previous 4 days. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, a spokesperson for the army, stated that 54 armed men were also killed in the fighting and accused India of supporting separatist militants, a claim which New Delhi denied. Abdul Qudoos, a high-ranking district official, confirmed the deaths. A provincial government spokesperson attributed the attack to Islamist fighters, while the region continues to face a separatist insurgency such as the Balochistan Liberation Army, targeting State forces and infrastructures.

EASTERN EUROPE

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS DEAD: 35

PRESUMED CIVILIANS/NON-COMBATANTS WOUNDED: Over 104

LOOTING OR DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIAN PROPRIETIES: YES

LOCALITIES: Kostyantynivka, St. Petersburg, Crimea, Kiev, Vychneve, Sumy, Omsk, Mykolaïv, Taganrog, Azov, and Krasnodar region.

PERPETRATORS: Russian Army and Ukrainian Army

VICTIMS: Ukrainian and Russian civilians

KIEV DENIES FALL OF KOSTYANTYNIVKA, DRONES TARGET ST PETERSBURG

On July 4, 2026, the Ukrainian military denied Russian claims regarding the capture of the strategic town of Kostyantynivka while a drone attack targeted multiple Russian regions. Army spokesperson Andriï Kovaliov and President Volodymyr Zelensky called the claim a lie, despite General Sergueï Roudskoï asserting that Kremlin troops were in all parts of the town. Simultaneously, an airstrike hit St. Petersburg where a drone reached an oil terminal, according to Governor Alexandre Beglov. President Zelensky confirmed that the Kronstadt naval base was also hit in these strikes, which were carried out in retaliation for a Russian attack on Kiev earlier.

RUSSIA PROPOSES BODY EXCHANGE AT KOSTYANTYNIVKA, 1 KILLED IN CRIMEA BY UKRAINE

On July 5, 2026, the Russian Ministry of Defense proposed a temporary suspension of bombings in Kostyantynivka to return the bodies of KIAs. This humanitarian proposal followed a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Poutine and American President Donald Trump. While Kiev continued to deny the fall of the town, 1 person was killed and 2 others were injured in northern Crimea during a Ukrainian attack reported by local governor Sergueï Aksionov. The peninsula remains under a state of emergency.

28 KILLED IN + RUSSIAN BOMBINGS ACROSS KIEV AND SUMY

On July 6, 2026, Russian bombardments killed at least 28 people and injured over 100 others in Kiev, Vychneve, and Sumy just before a major NATO summit. Ukrainian authorities reported that 18 victims died in the capital and 8 in the nearby town of Vychneve. In retaliation, the Ukrainian army claimed a drone strike on the Omsk refinery in Siberia, located 2,500 kilometers from the border.

SUSPECT IN MONACO BOMBING FOUND DEAD IN UKRAINE

On July 7, 2026, Ukrainian police found the body of Anastassia Berezovska, the primary suspect in the Monaco bomb attack, with gunshot wounds to her head. Two suspects were arrested for her murder, including a former law enforcement officer and a current member of the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, at whose home a torture chamber was discovered. Monaco’s Prosecutor General confirmed receiving information about the discovery and the arrests of individuals who may have assisted Berezovska in the June 29 attack against businessman Vadim Ermolaev. M. Ermolaev and his companion were critically injured in the Monaco blast, which Berezovska allegedly carried out.

RUSSIAN STRIKES KILL MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IN MYKOLAÏV

On July 8, 2026, a woman and her 15 year old daughter were killed by Russian strikes in the Mykolaïv region of southern Ukraine. Vitali Kim, the head of the regional administration, confirmed the deaths and reported 2 other injuries, while additional strikes in Kiev set fire to warehouses and non-residential buildings according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Ankara for a NATO summit to request more air defense systems.

UKRAINIAN ATTACKS CAUSE EVACUATIONS IN RUSSIA, RUSSIAN STRIKES KILL 4 IN UKRAINE

On July 10, 2026, Ukrainian drone strikes hit oil refineries and the port of Taganrog in southern Russia, forcing the evacuation of dozens of residents due to persistent fires. Rostov Governor Iouri Slioussar reported that 2 hydrocarbon storage facilities caught fire in Azov, while another blaze erupted at the Ilskiï refinery in the Krasnodar region. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have destroyed 376 Ukrainian drones overnight, but local authorities admitted that the fires in Taganrog would not be easily extinguished. In Ukraine, local rescue services reported that Russian strikes killed 4 civilians in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions during the same period.

MYANMAR

16 ROHINGYA REFUGEES KILLED BY LANDSLIDES IN BANGLADESH BORDER CAMP

On July 8, 2026, Bangladeshi authorities confirmed that torrential rains caused landslides that killed 16 Rohingya refugees, including students and a teacher. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the head of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission, reported that 8 victims died when a mudslide buried a girls’ Quranic school. Sayed Ullah, the president of the United Council for Rohingya, condemned the lack of coordination among agencies to ensure decent housing for the 1.2 million refugees living in these precarious hillside camps.

THE WAR REACHES 5TH YEAR

On July 10, 2026, pro-democracy rebels in the Myanmar jungle admitted a difficult operational situation. A People’s Defense Forces commander noted that the revolution is a long-term struggle, while a 25 year old squad leader expressed frustration that some of his fighters feel their efforts will fail. Despite initial successes like the 2023 offensive near Mandalay, the army has regained the upper hand with support from China, which recently negotiated a ceasefire for the Ta’ang National Liberation Army. Rebel fighters mentioned the loss of the mining town of Mogok. Some analysts suggested the rebels are becoming a nuisance rather than a real threat for the government.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE AND RELATIONS

MEXICAN JOURNALIST ROXANA GUZMAN FOUND DEAD

On July 4, 2026, the prosecutor’s office in Veracruz announced that the body of missing journalist Roxana Guzman was discovered in a house after she was kidnapped in mid-June. Video footage showed 2 hooded men breaking into her home using a sledgehammer before taking her away. Eight people have been arrested in connection with her murder, including 4 municipal police officers accused of providing logistical support to the criminal group responsible. This killing is the 3rd murder of a journalist in Veracruz this year, following the deaths of Carlos Castro in January and Luis Angel Lopez Valdez in June.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT SANCTIONS RUSSIAN INSTITUTES FOR CHEMICAL WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT

On July 6, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 7 individuals and 2 research institutes accused of developing chemical weapons used in fatal poisonings. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the SC Signal and GNIII VM institutes were involved in producing Novitchok and epibatidine agents used against Alexei Navalny in 2024 and Sturgess in 2018. Sturgess died in Salisbury after exposure to a nerve agent found in a discarded perfume bottle, while Alexei Navalny died in a Russian prison under suspicious circumstances.

2 SYRIAN OFFICIALS SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS FOR TORTURE BY VIENNA COURT

On July 6, 2026, an Austrian court sentenced a former general and a former police officer from Syria to 8 years in prison for the systematic torture. General Khaled al-Halabi and police chief Musab Abu Rukbah were found guilty of aggravated assault, coercion, and sexual aggression committed in Raqqa between 2011 and 2013. The court ordered the defendants to pay 130,000 euros in moral damages to 19 victims who testified about being bound, blindfolded, and held in overcrowded cells. The trial drew significant attention after it was revealed that a secret agreement between Israeli and Austrian services in 2015 helped al-Halabi obtain asylum in Vienna.

RHEINMETALL AND LOCKHEED MARTIN TO PRODUCE ATACMS MISSILES IN GERMANY

On July 7, 2026, German defense group Rheinmetall and American company Lockheed Martin signed an agreement to establish the first ATACMS missile production line outside the United States. The joint venture will produce these tactical missiles at a site in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, and expects to start rocket motor production in 2027. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and Lockheed Martin Europe Executive Dennis Goege stated the project will strengthen NATO’s resilience and provide modern defense systems to European armies. The ATACMS missile, which has a range of 300 kilometers, has been used recently in both the Ukrainian and Iranian conflicts.

LITHUANIA CONDEMNED BY ECHR FOR ROLE IN CIA PRISON PROGRAM

On July 7, 2026, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Lithuania for its complicity in the secret detention and isolation of Saudi national Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. The court found that Vilnius violated al-Nashiri’s rights to a fair trial and family contact by allowing him to be held in a CIA black site in 2005 before transferring him to Guantanamo where he faces the death penalty. Lithuania was ordered to pay 30,000 euros in moral damages to the applicant, who is accused by Washington of terrorism. This decision follows similar rulings against Poland, Romania, and North Macedonia regarding illegal rendition and torture by American agents.

HONG KONG PRO-DEMOCRACY MILITANT FACES VERDICT FOR COLLUSION WITH ENEMY

On July 7, 2026, a Hong Kong court announced that the verdict for pro-democracy leader Joshua Wong regarding charges of collusion with foreign forces will be delivered on September 2. The 29 year old activist was charged under the national security law while already serving a 56 month sentence for subversion following the 47 of Hong Kong trial in November 2024.

UNITED NATIONS : AI EXACERBATES DISINFORMATION TARGETING REFUGEES

The United Nations cautioned that deepfakes and hate speech spread via artificial intelligence are increasing real world harm to refugees and humanitarian workers. Gisella Lomax, a senior advisor for the UN Refugee Agency, stated during a summit in Geneva that smugglers use digital platforms to deceive vulnerable people with false promises. The agency reported that 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced by the end of 2025, primarily from Venezuela, Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Sudan. AI erosion of trust is a major risk during conflicts according to Lomax.

IRELAND VOTES TO BAN IMPORTS FROM ILLEGAL ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS

On July 7, 2026, the Irish lower house of Parliament approved a bill prohibiting the importation of agricultural and industrial goods from Israeli settlements in occupied territories. While trade volumes between Ireland and these territories totaled less than 1 million euros between 2020 and 2024, the move aligns Dublin with Spain as one of Europe’s most vocal critics of the war in Gaza. EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas indicated that she would request similar settlement sanctions at the European Commission level.

ORANGE AGENT CASE JUDGED IN FRANCE

On July 8, 2026, the French Court of Cassation ordered that the legal action of 84 year old Tran To Nga against Monsanto and other agrochemical companies be heard by its most solemn formation. The case seeks justice for the use of the toxic defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam war, which affected over 3 million people according to the Vietnam Dioxin association. While lower courts previously ruled that companies like Monsanto benefited from jurisdictional immunity because they acted for the US government, an advocate general recently advised that they acted for profit instead.

TAIWAN WARNS THAT CHINESE EXPANSIONISM WILL PERSIST IF NO ACTION TAKEN

On July 8, 2026, a senior Taiwanese security official Lii Wen warned that China’s incremental “salami tactics” aim to transform international waterways into internal waters. During an international forum, M. Wen stated that Beijing uses a mix of military ships, coast guards, and maritime militias to push boundaries in the South and East China Seas. Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Minister Kuan Bi-ling added that Japan and the Philippines face similar patterns of action designed to stay just below the level of conventional war.

ICRC INTRODUCES PROTOTYPE FOR DIGITAL EMBLEM TO PROTECT CYBER INFRASTRUCTURE

On July 9, 2026, the International Committee of the Red Cross presented a prototype for a digital emblem designed to signal protected medical and humanitarian systems to hackers. Director General Pierre Krähenbühl explained that the Authentic Digital Emblem uses cryptographic certificates to indicate to cyberattackers when they have entered a protected infrastructure. Developed with ETH Zurich, the emblem aims to prevent the delay of medical care and loss of life caused by attacks on hospital networks.

NGO DENOUNCES FRANCE FOR DENYING ASYLUM TO WAGNER WHISTLEBLOWER

On July 9, 2026, the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa and lawyer Henri Thulliez condemned the French government’s refusal to grant asylum to journalist Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo. M. Yalike-Ngonzo provided unprecedented information to Forbidden Stories regarding secret disinformation operations run by the Russian paramilitary group Wagner in the Central African Republic. Although the journalist and his family were initially welcomed in France, his asylum request was rejected. Henri Thulliez called this decision a flagrant contradiction given Wagner’s lucrative exploitation of Central African resources and its role in the country’s poor security situation.