© Photo by Óglaigh na hÉireann via Flickr
International Peace & Security Section
Nigeria: Nearly 200 Killed in Deadly Gunmen Attacks in Kwara and Katsina States
Gaza: 24 Killed in Israeli Strikes as Rafah Crossing Partially Reopens
Greenland: Canada and France Open New Consulates Amid Escalating US Annexation Threats
US: Seeks Trilateral Treaty with Russia and China Following Expiration of Last Nuclear Pact
Syria: New Investigation Finds 2012 Homs Strike That Killed Journalists Was Deliberate
France: Judges Issue Criminal Summonses in Gaza Aid Blockade Investigation
On 2 February 2026, it was reported that French magistrates issued criminal summonses for two French-Israeli activists, Nili Kupfer-Naouri and Rachel T. The summonses form part of an ongoing criminal investigation conducted by the Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity and Hate Crimes (OCLCH) into alleged complicity in genocide and incitement to genocide, specifically regarding their obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza during the 2023–2025 conflict. The activists are accused of facilitating or endorsing blockades that hindered the delivery of essential supplies. Plaintiffs, including various humanitarian groups, contend that impeding aid can amount to criminal complicity in genocidal actions.
Libya: Death of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Ends Prospects for ICC Trial in Libya Case
On 3 February 2026, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was killed at his home in western Libya by four masked armed individuals at the age of 53. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi had been sentenced to death in absentia in 2015 by a Libyan court for incitement to violence and the killing of protesters. He was also under investigation and subject to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the 2011 uprising in Libya. The ICC acted in 2011 after the UN Security Council referred the situation in Libya, issuing arrest warrants soon after the conflict began. Despite early expectations of accountability, proceedings never advanced to trial. Gaddafi remained in Libya for years without being transferred to The Hague, underscoring the Court’s dependence on state cooperation to carry out arrests. His death ends the possibility of a trial and the prospect of determining his individual criminal responsibility, bringing one of the Court’s longest-running unresolved proceedings to a close.
https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/155092-gaddafis-death-last-nail-icc-coffin.html
Switzerland: Foreign Minister Reported to ICC for Complicity in War Crimes in Gaza
On 3 February 2026, Swiss lawyers announced that they have reported Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing him of complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. According to the applicants, Cassis has violated the Geneva Conventions by endorsing crimes allegedly committed by Israel, particularly through a military cooperation agreement between Israel and Switzerland established in 2013 concerning the exchange of arms and dual-use goods. The applicants stressed that Cassis had a duty to take all measures at his disposal to help prevent alleged crimes in Gaza, rather than encouraging them.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/gaza-25-lawyers-denounce-ignazio-cassis-before-the-icc/90881423
Tunisia: Appeal Court Upholds and Increases Jail Terms in High-Profile Mass Trial
On 3 February 2026, the Tunisian Court of Appeal upheld and increased the prison sentences for several senior politicians and former security officials convicted in a mass trial concerning an alleged conspiracy against the state. Former Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi saw his sentence extended from 14 to 20 years, bringing his total sentences across several charges to 50 years. Other prominent figures, including former intelligence chief Kamel Guizani and ex-foreign minister Rafik Abdessalem, also received lengthier terms. Additionally, former chief of staff to President Kais Saied, Nadia Akacha, was sentenced in absentia to 35 years. In total, 21 officials were charged in the conspiracy case, with 10 already in custody and 11 having fled the country. The accused deny the charges, claiming they are politically fabricated to silence critics of Saied. In 2021, Saied dissolved parliament and the Supreme Judicial Council, dismissed judges, and began ruling by decree, actions opposition figures called a coup. Saied rejects these claims, maintaining they are legal and aimed at ending corruption.
Argentina: Judge Submits Extradition Request for Nicolás Maduro on Crimes Against Humanity Charges
On 4 February 2026, it was reported an Argentine judge formally submitted a request for the extradition of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from the US, where he is currently detained on federal narco-terrorism charges. The extradition request, signed by Argentine federal judge Sebastián Ramos, accuses Maduro of overseeing widespread repression, including torture, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearances during his presidency. Argentine prosecutors based this request on the principle of universal jurisdiction, which permits countries to prosecute severe international crimes regardless of where they occurred. While the US may be reluctant to comply due to Maduro’s pending trial, this legal action emphasises Argentina’s stance that accountability for high-level international crimes should transcend national borders.
Azerbaijan: Military Court Sentences Former Nagorno-Karabakh Officials
On 5 February 2026, a military court in Azerbaijan sentenced 13 former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh to lengthy prison terms on charges including war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorism, and genocide. Among those convicted was the former leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, who received a life sentence, along with five other defendants, while eight others were sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison. These prosecutions follow Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive to regain the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which had been governed by ethnic Armenians in an unrecognised breakaway entity for three decades until Baku regained military control. Human rights organisations have expressed concerns regarding the fairness of the proceedings. Azerbaijan and Armenia fought two wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh region before Baku reclaimed the territory in 2023. The offensive resulted in the widespread displacement of ethnic Armenians, with nearly the entire Armenian population of around 100,000 people fleeing to Armenia.
Serbia: Arrests Kosovo-Albanian Man Suspected of War Crimes
On 6 February 2026, it was reported Serbian police and the Intelligence Security Agency (BIA) arrested Mitehat Llozhani, a Kosovo Albanian, at the Batrovci crossing point while entering Serbian territory. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said Llozhani was arrested on suspicion of committing war crimes during the 1998–99 conflict. Llozhani is alleged to have acted under the command of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and is accused of attacking members of Serbia’s Interior Ministry and the Yugoslav army during the Kosovo war, allegedly resulting in the kidnapping and killing of police officers. Kosovo’s authorities condemned Serbia over the arrest. Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry questioned the basis for the arrest, raised concerns about the treatment and legal protection of its citizens, and called on the international community, particularly Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and the US, to pressure Serbian authorities to ensure respect for Llozhani’s rights and security.
Nigeria: Nearly 200 Killed in Deadly Gunmen Attacks in Kwara and Katsina States
On 4 February 2026, it was reported that gunmen killed nearly 200 people in Kwara and Katsina states in Nigeria. Over 170 people were killed in Woro, a remote village in Nigeria’s north-central Kwara State bordering Niger State, in what authorities described as the deadliest attack recorded in the area this year. Furthermore, 21 people were reportedly killed in a separate attack in Katsina in northern Nigeria. Armed attackers stormed Woro village on Tuesday evening, burning homes, shops and the traditional ruler’s palace, forcing residents to flee into nearby bushland. Several people remain missing, including the village’s traditional king. The attack was confirmed by police and the state government, which blamed “terrorist cells” operating in the region, while locals blamed the attack on Boko Haram. Security forces have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations, though authorities have not released official casualty figures. Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the assault as a “cowardly” response to recent counterterrorism operations. The violence underscores the worsening insecurity across north-central and northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups routinely raid villages, loot livestock and abduct residents. Despite intensified military operations and recent claims of success against armed groups in Kwara State, attacks on rural communities continue, highlighting persistent gaps in security and civilian protection.
Lebanon: Accuses Israel of Chemical Spraying Devastating Hundreds of Hectares in Southern Lebanon
On 4 February 2026, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of committing an environmental and health crime after Israeli forces sprayed an unidentified substance over towns and agricultural lands in southern Lebanon. Beirut described the incident as a blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and said diplomatic and legal measures were being pursued in response. According to Lebanese authorities, the spraying affected approximately 540 hectares of land, most of it agricultural, along the border. While laboratory tests are still ongoing to determine the exact nature of the substance, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said the chemicals were likely herbicides intended to completely destroy vegetation for military purposes, rendering border areas barren and stripping them of natural cover. The attack forced UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) to suspend operations for several hours, before coordinating with the Lebanese army to collect samples for toxicity testing. UN officials warned that any activity endangering civilians or peacekeepers is of serious concern and reiterated the need to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The incident comes despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024 which has been almost daily violated by Israel. Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has submitted a formal complaint to the UN, documenting more than 2,000 Israeli violations of the ceasefire in the final months of 2025 alone. President Aoun said the chemical spraying was part of a broader pattern of Israeli attacks that threaten civilians’ health, agricultural livelihoods and the environment, urging the international community to intervene to halt the violations.
Gaza: 24 Killed in Israeli Strikes as Rafah Crossing Partially Reopens
On 4 February 2026, Israel carried out strikes across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 24 Palestinians, including two babies and at least six children, according to local health officials. Israel said the attacks targeted militant figures and were in response to gunfire against its forces. In northern Gaza’s Tuffah neighbourhood, a strike on a residential building killed at least 11 members of the same family, including two parents, a 10-day-old baby, a five-month-old infant, and their grandmother. Additional strikes in Khan Younis and Al-Shati Refugee Camp killed several more civilians, including a paramedic on duty, and wounded at least 38 others. The strikes came despite a ceasefire in place since October 2025, which has been repeatedly violated, with at least 556 Palestinians killed since it took effect. Amid the ongoing violence, the partial reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt has offered limited relief to Gaza’s overwhelmed health system. The crossing briefly opened this week, but the World Health Organization (WHO) said that only a handful of patients were evacuated, far below what is needed. More than 18,500 patients in Gaza still require specialised medical care inside Gaza, including people with severe trauma, cancer, and chronic illnesses, a situation UN officials have described as a “human disaster”. The UN has stressed that Rafah must operate as a genuine humanitarian corridor, not only for medical evacuations but also to enable a significant increase in aid deliveries, warning that current access remains grossly insufficient to meet Gaza’s mounting needs.
https://apnews.com/article/gaza-rafah-hamas-israel-war-2-4-2026-a3726ab659321430bf3ca73cae50936e
HRW: Warns the Global Human Rights Order is Under Severe Strain
On 4 February 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) published its World Report 2026, concluding that the international human rights system is facing a profound crisis, with roughly 72% of the world’s population now living under authoritarian governments. HRW argues that the erosion of the rules-based international order is being driven largely by the US, China, and Russia, which it said are increasingly hostile to multilateral norms while exercising outsized geopolitical influence. The report’s assessment of US President Donal Trump’s administration accused it of weakening democratic safeguards domestically and undermining global accountability mechanisms, including through sanctions on international justice bodies and withdrawal from key UN institutions. HRW also accused Israel of grave violations against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and warned that proposed US policies toward Gaza would amount to ethnic cleansing. In Ukraine, the organisation documented continuing Russian abuses against civilians and prisoners of war, while in Russia and China it highlighted escalating crackdowns on dissent, civil society, and minority communities. HRW called for a coordinated front by rights-respecting governments, civil society groups, and international institutions to resist this trend. Despite the bleak findings, HRW pointed to pockets of resistance, noting the role of smaller and middle-power states in advancing rights initiatives and the growing impact of grassroots movements worldwide, which it said remain vital to defending human rights protections.
Sudan: 22 Killed in RSF Attack as Famine Spreads in Darfur
On 5 February 2026, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned that famine-level conditions are expanding across Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region. The monitoring body said acute malnutrition in the North Darfur towns of Umm Baru and Kernoi has surpassed critical thresholds, with 53% and 32% of children under five suffering from severe malnutrition. While the IPC did not formally declare famine, it cautioned that nearby areas may be experiencing similarly extreme levels of hunger. The assessment follows the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of el-Fasher in October 2025, which triggered mass displacement and further strained already depleted food supplies in Darfur. The report came as the RSF attacked a military hospital in Kouik, South Kordofan, killing 22 people, including the facility’s director and three medical workers, and injuring eight others. The Sudan Doctors’ Network said the incident forms part of a broader pattern of assaults that have crippled healthcare services across the region. As fighting between the army and the RSF continues to intensify, the US and the UN have launched a new US$700 million Sudan Humanitarian Fund to bolster relief efforts. The IPC stressed that an immediate and sustained ceasefire is essential to prevent further starvation and loss of life.
Iran: Begins Negotiations with US Officials in Oman Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
On 6 February 2026, US and Iranian officials launched critical indirect negotiations in Muscat, Oman, aimed at averting a full-scale military confrontation. Mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, the talks involve a US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside an Iranian team headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Both sides said the talks were off to a “good start” and set to continue. While Tehran has signalled a willingness to show “flexibility” regarding uranium enrichment – potentially accepting zero-enrichment under a consortium model – challenges remain over the agenda. Both sides have signalled a willingness to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear dispute with the West, while Washington, backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, insists that any “meaningful” negotiations must include Iran’s ballistic missile program, its support for regional proxies, and its “treatment of their own people.” Tehran has expressed it will only discuss its nuclear issue with the US. Observers fear a breakdown in talks could spark another conflict between the US and Iran, that could spill over to the wider region. Iran deployed its advanced Khorramshahr-4 missile in a show of defiance just hours before the talks. The diplomacy unfolds under the shadow of a massive US naval buildup and memory of the June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. With Iran’s economy reeling from food inflation close to 100% and domestic unrest, observers warn a breakdown in diplomacy could lead to a military escalation.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/06/us-iran-talks-oman-nuclear-programme
https://www.euronews.com/2026/02/06/iran-us-nuclear-talks-begin-in-oman-as-tensions-remain-high
Greenland: Canada and France Open New Consulates Amid Escalating US Annexation Threats
On 6 February 2026, Canada and France formally opened diplomatic consulates in Nuuk, Greenland, in a coordinated show of support for Danish sovereignty following renewed annexation pressure from the US. The inauguration, attended by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Indigenous Governor General Mary Simon, marks a strategic effort by Arctic and European allies to counter US President Donald Trump’s recent assertions that the US wants to acquire the mineral-rich island for national security. Canada had planned its mission since 2024, before Trump’s takeover threats. Meanwhile, France is the first EU country to establish a permanent outpost in Greenland. The diplomatic buildup follows a month of high tension, during which the White House threatened tariffs on Denmark and briefly considered military options to secure the territory before pivoting to a vague “framework” for access. Analysts suggest the new outposts will facilitate deeper cooperation on climate research and Inuit rights, while strengthening political ties with Greenland authorities.
Russia: Deputy Head of Russia’s Military Intelligence Agency Hospitalised Following Apparent Assassination Attempt
On 6 February 2026, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, a deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU), was seriously wounded in a targeted shooting in Moscow. Reports indicate that an unidentified assailant opened fire on Alekseyev in an apartment building before fleeing the scene. Alekseyev is reported to be in a critical condition in hospital. Alekseyev is a prominent figure within the GRU and is reported to have played a significant role in operations during the ongoing war in Ukraine. He also led operations during Russia’s intervention in the Syrian civil war supporting former leader Bashar al-Assad. Alekseyev has also been placed under sanctions by the EU after the GRU was accused of planning the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack in the UK. His shooting occurs amid heightened internal security concerns and follows a series of assassination attempts of high-profile Russian military figures, which Russia has blamed on Ukraine. Since December 2024, three high-ranking Russian military officials have been killed in Moscow, including Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the army’s training department, who was killed by a car bomb on 22 December 2025.
US: Seeks Trilateral Treaty with Russia and China Following Expiration of Last Nuclear Pact
On 6 February 2026, the US accused China of conducting a secret nuclear test in 2020 as US officials reiterated President Donald Trump’s call for a “new, improved, and modernised” nuclear arms control treaty with China and Russia following the formal expiration of the New START treaty. The treaty’s lapse on 5 February 2026 removes the final remaining legal caps on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time in over 50 years. While Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a one-year informal extension of current limits to allow for further talks, the White House has rejected the offer. Trump dismissed the 2010 agreement as a “badly negotiated deal” and signalled that any future framework must include China to address its rapidly expanding strategic stockpile. The administration’s shift toward a trilateral approach has met resistance from Beijing, which maintains its arsenal is too small for parity-based talks. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno emphasised that a bilateral agreement with only one power is “inappropriate” in the current security landscape. Despite the lack of a formal treaty, Washington and Moscow have agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue to prevent miscalculation. Analysts warn that a new nuclear arms treaty may take years to negotiate, and without binding limits, a new three-way arms race could emerge.
https://www.dw.com/en/trump-says-new-nuclear-treaty-needed-to-replace-new-start/a-75831920
Pakistan: At Least 31 Killed in Suicide Bombing at Shiite Mosque in Islamabad
On 6 February 2026, a suicide bomber targeted Khadija Al-Kubra mosque, a Shiite mosque outside Islamabad during Friday prayers, killing at least 31 people and wounding 169 others, according to officials. Witnesses described chaotic scenes inside the mosque, with bodies and injured worshippers lying on the floor as residents and police rushed casualties to nearby hospitals. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, suspicion is expected to fall on militant groups such as the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) or Islamic State affiliates, both of which have previously targeted Pakistan’s Shiite minority. Pakistan’s Defence Minister said preliminary findings suggest the attacker had been moving between Pakistan and Afghanistan before the bombing, adding that mosque security guards attempted to intercept him before he opened fire and detonated his device among worshippers. Kabul condemned the attack and denied accusations that it shelters Pakistani militants. The bombing drew widespread domestic and international condemnation, with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowing that those responsible would be identified and punished. The attack marks one of the deadliest incidents in Islamabad in years and comes amid a broader surge in militant violence across Pakistan, including deadly attacks in the western province of Balochistan that killed 50 people last week.
https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-islamabad-shiite-mosque-blast-8f0b7b8a8783db37644d88610512c9af
Syria: New Investigation Finds 2012 Homs Strike That Killed Journalists Was Deliberate
On 6 February 2026, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism (SIRAJ) published new findings on the 2012 attack in Homs, Syria, that killed American journalist Marie Colvin and French photojournalist Rémi Ochlik. Based on witness testimonies and newly examined evidence, the investigation concludes that the bombardment of the improvised press centre in the Baba Amr district was a deliberate strike rather than indiscriminate fire. The attack occurred while journalists were operating from the site to report on the siege of the city. When the building came under bombardment, Colvin and Ochlik were killed as they attempted to escape. Several others, including foreign reporters and a translator, were injured but later managed to leave the area. According to RSF, the investigation was conducted more than a decade after the incident and draws on interviews with key witnesses as well as additional material that had not previously been available. The findings support earlier claims that media workers were intentionally targeted during the Syrian conflict. The case remains significant for efforts to document attacks against journalists and to clarify responsibility for violence against media professionals in conflict settings, and it may contribute to ongoing accountability processes related to crimes committed during the war in Syria.
US: Sanctions Targeting ICC and UN Experts Raise Concerns Over Impact on War Crimes Investigations
On 6 February 2026, a Reuters investigation reported that sanctions imposed under US President Donald Trump’s administration have directly affected staff of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and UN experts involved in documenting alleged war crimes. Measures described as comparable to those used against terrorist suspects have included asset freezes, financial restrictions, and travel limitations targeting individuals linked to international accountability efforts. Among those sanctioned were a UN special rapporteur examining the situation in Gaza, as well as ICC judges and prosecutors connected to investigations into alleged crimes involving Israel and other actors. The measures were introduced amid broader efforts to curb or deter international legal scrutiny of US allies and personnel. According to the report, the sanctions have disrupted both professional and personal activities by restricting access to banking services, financial resources, and international travel. Legal experts and UN officials indicated that these limitations may hinder the ability of investigators, court officials, and human rights specialists to gather evidence, conduct inquiries, and advance accountability processes related to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Weekly News Recap (13 – 19 July 2026) © Photo by USAID U.S. Agency for International Development via FlickrInternational Justice SectionICC: Prosecution Requests Withdrawal of War Crimes Charges Against Abdallah BandaSudan: Anti-Terrorism Court Sentences RSF Leadership to Death in AbsentiaUS: Advocacy Groups File Lawsuit Challenging Executive Order Targeting ICC-Related AdvocacyICC:
Weekly News Recap (6 – 12 July 2026) © Photo by U.S. Pacific Fleet via Flickr International Justice Section Austria: Court Sentences Two Former Syrian Security Officials to Eight Years in Prison ECtHR: Communicates Case Concerning Alleged Detention and Abuse of Ukrainian Civilians by Russian Armed Forces Greece: Spyware Victims
Weekly News Recap (29 June – 5 July 2026) © Photo by Thomas Hawk via Flickr International Justice Section ICJ: Poland Files Intervention in Lithuania v. Belarus Migrant Smuggling Case US: Supreme Court Rejects President Trump’s Executive Order to Restrict Birthright Citizenship Germany: Prosecutors Arrest Suspect in 1994 Rwanda Genocide
