Weekly News Recap (14 - 20 September 2026)
© Photo by Naval Surface Warriors via Flickr
International Justice Section
Bangladesh: Tribunal Sentences Seven Former Awami League Members to Death
El Salvador: Court Imposes Jurisdiction’s First Life Sentence for Femicide
KSC: Sentences Former President Hashim Thaçi to 25 Years for War Crimes
Syria: Military Criminal Court Issues Capital and Custodial Sentences in Coastal Massacres Trial
Pakistan: Supreme Court Suspends Sentences of Human Rights Lawyers
India: Court Sentences 10 Maoist Rebels to Death Over 2013 Jhiram Ghati Massacre
US: Former Syrian Prison Director Sentenced to 60 Years for Torture
International Peace & Security Section
Yemen: IOM Reports Nearly 94,000 Displaced Amid Ongoing Conflict
Greece: One Dead and 25 Missing in Migrant Boat Shipwreck Near Crete
Sudan: IOM Warns Emergency Relief Could Collapse Within Weeks
Gaza: At Least 21 Killed as War-Damaged Building Collapses
Canada: Applies to Join UK-Led Joint Expeditionary Force
Sudan–South Sudan: Deadly Clashes in Disputed Abyei Region
Indonesia: First Aircraft Carrier Arrives Amid Military Modernisation
Italy: Plans Warship Deployment to Protect Shipping in Bab al-Mandeb
International Justice Section
Bangladesh: Tribunal Sentences Seven Former Awami League Members to Death
On 15 September 2026, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced seven former members of the Awami League to death in absentia for crimes against humanity connected to the suppression of the student-led protests of 2024. The defendants included Obaidul Quader, the former secretary-general of the Awami League, and Mohammad Ali Arafat, a former information minister. The proceedings lasted eight months, and the tribunal found the defendants responsible for conduct including the incitement to and ordering of killings during the crackdown. The protests resulted in at least 1,400 deaths, mostly among civilians, according to the United Nations. The tribunal also ordered that half of the defendants’ assets be seized to compensate the families of people killed or injured during the demonstrations. The defence-appointed lawyer argued that the defendants had not been directly involved in the killings and that the tribunal could have imposed less severe sentences.
El Salvador: Court Imposes Jurisdiction’s First Life Sentence for Femicide
On 15 September 2026, it was reported that a Salvadoran court imposed the country’s first life sentence for aggravated femicide. The defendant was convicted of killing a female neighbour with a bladed weapon after repeatedly harassing her. The sentence followed a legislative reform that removed the previous constitutional prohibition on life imprisonment. Life sentences may now be imposed for certain convictions, including murder, rape and terrorism-related offences. Before the reform, the maximum custodial sentence was reportedly 60 years, subject to mechanisms for sentence reduction. The case therefore marks the first reported use of life imprisonment for aggravated femicide in El Salvador. The judgment was reported amid wider debate over the country’s expanding use of severe criminal penalties and the human-rights implications of recent legal and security policies.
https://www.dw.com/en/el-salvador-court-hands-down-first-life-sentence-for-femicide/a-79268746
El Salvador: Supreme Court Upholds Sentences for Former Military Officials Over Murder of Dutch Journalists
On 15 September 2026, El Salvador’s Supreme Court confirmed the 30-year prison sentences imposed on three former military officers for the 1982 murder of four Dutch journalists. The victims were killed while filming a documentary about El Salvador’s civil war. The defendants included former Defence Minister and army general José Guillermo García, as well as retired colonels Francisco Morán and Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena. A lower court had convicted them in 2025, and an appellate court had previously upheld those convictions. The Supreme Court found that the defence had not validly challenged the reasoning relied upon by the appellate court. The case became possible after El Salvador’s Supreme Court declared the country’s 1993 amnesty law unconstitutional in 2016, allowing investigations into crimes committed during the civil war to proceed.
KSC: Sentences Former President Hashim Thaçi to 25 Years for War Crimes
On 16 September 2026, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders of war crimes committed during the 1998-1999 Kosovo conflict. The charges concerned, among other offences, unlawful detention, torture, murder and cruel treatment of civilians, including Serbs, Roma and Kosovo Albanians considered political opponents. Thaçi and former KLA spokesperson Jakup Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. Rexhep Selimi received a 13-year sentence, while Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years. The four defendants were held criminally responsible for the arbitrary detention and torture of hundreds of people and for 96 murders, according to the tribunal. They were, however, acquitted of the charges of crimes against humanity. All four had pleaded not guilty, while the prosecution had sought 45-year sentences for each defendant.
https://www.scp-ks.org/sites/default/files/public/20260916-SummaryofJudgment-Thaci-et-al-EN.pdf
https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/165271-kosovos-former-president-faces-war-crimes-verdict.html
Syria: Military Criminal Court Issues Capital and Custodial Sentences in Coastal Massacres Trial
On 17 September 2026, the Military Criminal Court in Aleppo sentenced three defendants in a case concerning violence in Syria’s coastal region in March 2025. One defendant was sentenced to death, another to life imprisonment, and a third to 20 years in prison; a fourth defendant was acquitted. The proceedings are part of a broader judicial process concerning killings and other violations committed during the coastal violence. The Syrian National Commission for Investigation and Fact-Finding reported that attacks by remnants of the former Assad government on security and military positions on 6 March 2025 killed 238 personnel and that subsequent violations against civilians were committed by individuals and small groups. A UN investigation has separately described violence targeting civilians by government-aligned factions as widespread and systematic. Further verdicts in the case are expected.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/17/syrian-court-sentences-three-linked-to-coastal-violence
Pakistan: Supreme Court Suspends Sentences of Human Rights Lawyers
On 17 September 2026, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the suspension of the 17-year prison sentences that had been imposed on human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, who is also a lawyer, and granted them bail. Mazari, a prominent critic of Pakistan’s military, and Chattha were convicted in January over social media posts criticising military operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. Both refuted the accusations against them and claimed they were being targeted for speaking out about the disappearances of nationalist activists. The Supreme Court issued its ruling while Mazari’s challenge to the convictions was still pending before the Islamabad High Court. UN experts, Amnesty International, and other rights groups had previously expressed concerns over the fairness of the proceedings, while Pakistan maintained that its judiciary was independent.
India: Court Sentences 10 Maoist Rebels to Death Over 2013 Jhiram Ghati Massacre
On 17 September 2026, a special Indian court sentenced 10 Maoist rebels to death for their participation in the 2013 Jhiram Ghati massacre in Chhattisgarh, an attack that killed 27 people, including members of the Congress party. India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) reported that the defendants were convicted of numerous offences, including conspiracy and waging war against the state. The attack involved an explosive device, gunfire, and grenades. According to the NIA, its investigation found that the 10 defendants were involved in a “criminal conspiracy to attack and kill senior Congress leaders and security personnel.” The death sentences are subject to validation by the High Court, with the defendants afforded 30 days to appeal. India retains capital punishment by hanging, although the practice is rarely carried out. The most recent hanging took place in March 2020.
https://indianewengland.com/nia-court-sentences-10-to-death-in-2013-jhiram-ghati-massacre-case/
US: Former Syrian Prison Director Sentenced to 60 Years for Torture
On 18 September 2026, a US federal judge sentenced former Syrian government official Samir Ousman Alsheikh, former director of Adra Prison in Syria, to 60 years for his involvement in the torture of prisoners. Alsheikh had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Alsheikh headed the prison from 2005 to 2008 during Bashar al-Assad’s rule of Syria, and was found guilty in March 2026 of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture. US prosecutors alleged that Alsheikh ordered his staff members to inflict both physical and psychological suffering on prisoners to discourage opposition to the Assad regime, and that he personally participated in some instances of abuse. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of at least 80 years. Additionally, he was convicted of providing false information to US immigration officials about his involvement in the crimes, illegally attaining a green card, and attempting to obtain US citizenship.
International Peace & Security Section
Yemen: IOM Reports Nearly 94,000 Displaced Amid Ongoing Conflict
On 14 September 2026, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 93,864 people had been newly displaced across Yemen due to the ongoing conflict. In a statement, the IOM reported that the largest numbers were recorded in Ta’iz and Lahj governorates. In Ta’iz, Jabal Habashy district alone has experienced 18,840 displacements, with an additional 9,966 individuals displaced from Al Ma’afer. In Lahj, 16,464 people have been displaced from Al-Mudharibah district, with Tuban accounting for an additional 2,892 displaced persons. The governorates of Aden, Al Hodeidah, and Abyan have also experienced displacement, highlighting the expanding geographical scope of the displacement crisis. The IOM added that it is providing assistance to newly displaced persons, as well as monitoring displacement trends on the ground.
https://www.iom.int/news/iom-spokesperson-numbers-displaced-yemen-reaches-nearly-94000
Greece: One Dead and 25 Missing in Migrant Boat Shipwreck Near Crete
On 14 September 2026, Greek authorities reported that one person had died, while a further 25 were missing after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Gavdos island, near Crete. A search and rescue operation was launched under the coordination of the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) along with the Greek Coast Guard and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The operation included patrol boats, a helicopter, a drone, and commercial vessels. The operation was reportedly complicated by high winds. During the search, 51 people were rescued from the water. The search is expected to continue as authorities try to locate survivors and missing people. The maritime route between Libya and the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos has become a major route for asylum seekers travelling to Greece. Frontex documented a 25% reduction in migrant crossings in the Eastern Mediterranean during the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Sudan: IOM Warns Emergency Relief Could Collapse Within Weeks
On 14 September 2026, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that Sudan’s emergency relief supply could run out within weeks due to funding shortages, as ongoing conflict, displacement, and heavy rains have increased humanitarian needs. In a statement, IOM Director General Amy Pope stated that the humanitarian system was at risk of collapse without urgent funding. IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix reported that 8.6 million people remain internally displaced in Sudan, while 4.9 million returnees have been documented. Many internally displaced people are living in precarious conditions, with approximately 70% staying with host families or in informal settlements. Ongoing violence, flooding, and heavy rains are also causing further displacement. Since July 2023, the IOM-run Common Humanitarian Pipeline has reached 2.84 million people, but over time, its reach has declined. In 2024, more than one million people benefited from assistance through the Pipeline, while in 2025, the number fell to 804,000. So far in 2026, IOM has provided shelter and emergency support kits to 330,000 people. IOM warned that existing supplies of shelter, sanitation, and emergency household relief items are projected to run out by the end of September, while the resources needed to keep the Pipeline operating can only be sustained until December. According to IOM, it needs US$15 million to maintain the Pipeline at its minimum 2026 capacity for a further 12 months. It would require US$27 million to restore assistance to 2025 levels, while it would need US$42 million to facilitate assistance to up to one million people.
Gaza: At Least 21 Killed as War-Damaged Building Collapses
On 16 September 2026, it was reported that at least 21 Palestinians, including 12 children and five women, were killed following the collapse of a residential building in western Gaza City. A further 14 people were injured in the incident, while Gaza civil defence teams reported that approximately 100 people remained trapped beneath the debris. Rescue teams continued to search the rubble for survivors and missing persons. The building had reportedly sustained damage during an Israeli military strike, leaving it structurally weakened prior to its collapse. Rescue operations have been hampered due to a lack of adequate equipment, with rescue teams forced to rely predominantly on manual labour to reach people trapped. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Ramiz Alakbarov said that the deaths and reports of people trapped underneath rubble are distressing. Alakbarov praised the humanitarian assistance received from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in response to the incident. Officials in Gaza noted that the incident highlighted the risks faced by Palestinians seeking shelter in structurally damaged buildings amid insufficient availability of safe shelters and restrictions on the entry of equipment needed for rescue operations.
Canada: Applies to Join UK-Led Joint Expeditionary Force
On 16 September 2026, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada had formally applied to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). The JEF is a multinational military partnership designed for rapid response, consisting of 10 NATO member states. Carney’s office said that the UK had expressed support for Canada’s involvement in the initiative. Canada is already a member of NATO and is seeking to enhance military cooperation with European countries in an effort to build broader defence partnerships, while reducing its reliance on the US. The announcement follows a meeting between Carney and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, where they discussed strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries. The JEF is currently made up of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK.
Sudan–South Sudan: Deadly Clashes in Disputed Abyei Region
On 17 September 2026, at least 26 people were killed and 82 injured after several days of intercommunal fighting in Abyei, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan. According to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), the violence erupted around Amiet Common Market following the separate killings of a Ngok Dinka man on Monday and a Misseriya man on Tuesday. Tensions between the two communities quickly escalated into clashes, prompting UNISFA to reinforce its security presence around Abyei town and take measures to protect civilians and prevent retaliatory attacks. The Ngok Dinka are the region’s permanent residents, while the Misseriya, Arab pastoralists from Sudan, traditionally migrate into Abyei during the dry season in search of grazing land and water for their livestock, making access to these resources a recurring source of conflict. The latest violence highlights the fragility of Abyei, whose status has remained unresolved since South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011. The region has repeatedly been affected by clashes between Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities, often linked to disputes over grazing areas and watering points, with individual killings capable of triggering wider cycles of retaliation. UNISFA, which has around 3,000 police officers and soldiers, has been deployed to protect civilians and maintain security in the area. Its commander, Lieutenant General Ganesh Kumar Shreshta, said community leaders had expressed their commitment to dialogue and urged them to pursue peaceful coexistence.
Indonesia: First Aircraft Carrier Arrives Amid Military Modernisation
On 18 September 2026, Indonesia received its first-ever aircraft carrier, as the former Italian navy vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi arrived at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta ahead of its formal handover to the Indonesian navy. The 41-year-old, 180-metre ship, commissioned by Italy in 1985 and retired in 2014, can carry up to 18 helicopters and around 830 personnel. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has said the vessel will primarily be used for disaster relief across Indonesia’s archipelago, where its helicopter capacity could help transport supplies and personnel to remote areas following emergencies. Navy Chief of Staff Muhammad Ali also said, however, that the ship could be deployed for combat missions if necessary. The vessel will be renamed KRI Sriwijaya, after the historic maritime kingdom based in Sumatra. The acquisition comes as Jakarta pursues a broader modernisation of its armed forces and expands defence cooperation with other countries. Italy agreed in March to transfer the carrier to Indonesia, strengthening bilateral defence ties while avoiding the cost of decommissioning the ship. Indonesia’s Finance Ministry approved US$450 million in financing for the carrier programme in 2025, although opposition politicians have warned that the final cost could be higher. The government has also committed to other major defence acquisitions, including a US$8.1 billion deal for 42 French Rafale fighter jets signed in 2022, while India is supplying Indonesia with long-range missiles. In 2026, Jakarta also agreed to a “Major Defence Cooperation Partnership” with the US and signed a security treaty with Australia. The carrier therefore has a stated humanitarian role but is also part of a wider effort to expand and modernise Indonesia’s military capabilities and strengthen its defence relationships abroad.
Italy: Plans Warship Deployment to Protect Shipping in Bab al-Mandeb
On 18 September 2026, Italy announced that it would deploy warships to protect the passage of its commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a major maritime route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Rome would act without waiting for a joint decision from the EU, arguing that Italy “must not allow bureaucratic delays” to worsen the situation. He warned that the waterway becoming impassable would have serious economic consequences. The strait, which is around 30 km wide at its narrowest point, is a key corridor between Europe and Asia and has historically carried roughly 12-15% of global trade, including oil, gas and container traffic linked to the Suez Canal. Italy’s announcement therefore represents a national military response to growing disruption along a route with significant implications for international shipping and energy supplies. The decision comes amid a broader escalation around the Red Sea and Yemen. In recent weeks, the Iran-backed Houthi movement has expanded its control over Yemen’s western Red Sea coastline and several strategically located islands, giving it greater access to the Bab al-Mandeb. The group has previously attacked commercial vessels it associates with the US and its regional allies, contributing to concerns over the security of the shipping corridor. The US and the EU have already conducted military operations intended to protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks, although these efforts have not fully secured the route as fighting in Yemen has intensified. Italy’s planned deployment thus adds another national military presence to an already militarised maritime environment, while the government presents the measure primarily as an effort to maintain freedom of navigation and limit potential economic disruption.
Pakistan: Mosque Bombing Kills at Least 31 in Kohat
On 18 September 2026, a suicide bombing at a mosque inside a police compound in Kohat, in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killed at least 31 people, including 16 police officers, and injured dozens more. An explosives-laden car was rammed into the mosque’s entrance as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers, before gunmen attempted to enter the police headquarters and exchanged fire with officers. The Hafiz Gul Bahadur-led Ittehadul Mujahideen, a faction of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. Rescue officials said most of those wounded were worshippers, while the explosion badly damaged the mosque and caused part of the police compound’s outer wall to collapse. The attack comes amid continuing insecurity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region bordering Afghanistan that has seen several deadly attacks by the TTP and other armed groups. It came a day after a roadside bomb killed six soldiers in neighbouring Hangu district, while Pakistani security forces said they had killed 10 suspected TTP fighters in raids the same week. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of allowing TTP factions to operate from Afghan territory, an allegation Kabul denies. Although the TTP is separate from the Afghan Taliban, the two are allied, and tensions over alleged militant sanctuaries have contributed to intermittent cross-border strikes between the two countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Kohat bombing and ordered authorities to accelerate rescue operations.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/18/bomb-attack-at-pakistan-mosque-kills-at-least-15-injures-50