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Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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January 22, 2026 Peace and security

At the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, two key speeches were delivered on the political and humanitarian aspects of the current situation in Syria. In the second year since the fall of the Assad regime, the country is facing serious military upheaval and a massive humanitarian crisis, threatening to undermine the fragile gains of recent months.

Since the beginning of the year, the situation in northern and northeastern Syria has deteriorated sharply. According to UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari, negotiations between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are primarily Kurdish militias, reached an impasse again on January 4, following which fierce fighting broke out in Aleppo.

The clashes, which lasted several days, led to a mass exodus of civilians: tens of thousands of Syrians were forced to flee their homes, dozens were killed, and hundreds were injured. Ultimately, SDF forces retreated across the Euphrates River, and on January 17, government forces captured significant territories previously controlled by Kurdish forces.

Disrupted negotiations

The efforts of international mediators led to the announcement of the signing of the "Agreement on a Ceasefire and Full Integration," but the very next day, negotiations broke down and fighting resumed. It was only on January 20 that the parties announced they had reached a "mutual understanding" and arranged a four-day pause for consultations. Despite this, the situation remains extremely tense, with localized clashes continuing.

A hard winter

A report on the humanitarian situation in Syria, presented by Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), added alarming statistics to the political picture. In the city of Raqqa alone, more than 13,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in recent weeks. In Aleppo, Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor, infrastructure and communication lines have been destroyed, hospitals are closed, and children are unable to attend school.

The situation is exacerbated by the winter cold: in the camps for internally displaced persons in the north of the country, where approximately 160,000 people are concentrated, shelters have been destroyed and children have died from the cold. Meanwhile, the country's humanitarian support programs are only funded at a quarter of what is needed.

Political transformation

Despite existing challenges, the speakers noted important steps toward Syria's political transformation. Over the past year, nearly three million refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes. New institutions are being formed—the People's Assembly, the Constitutional Committee, and the Constitutional Court. The government is taking steps in the area of justice and the fight against impunity, although Syrian society expects more. Separately, they noted the decree on the linguistic, cultural, and civil rights of the Kurds—a step that could become the basis for deeper national reconciliation.

ISIS continues to pose a real threat to stabilization in Syria, especially amid the chaos in the northeast. Armed clashes and tensions among the Druze community continue in Sweida. Israeli operations in the south violate Syrian sovereignty. Uncleared mines are a major cause of civilian deaths and injuries.

There is hope, but people need peace

The speakers believe that stabilizing Syria depends on several key factors. First and foremost, a sustainable ceasefire and a resumption of political dialogue are essential, as without them, any gains will eventually be undone. Equally important is a significant increase in humanitarian and recovery funding: only a third of the required funds were received in 2025, preventing UN humanitarian agencies from assisting 10 million people in need. Finally, proactive diplomacy and international support for the transition are essential.

Edem Vosornu concluded her speech with the story of an Aleppo resident who lost her small business in the recent fighting. The woman said, "We've been through a lot and are very tired. All we want is peace and security." According to Vosornu, this statement reflects the general sentiment of millions of Syrians: there is hope, but people need peace, and the country as a whole needs the political will of its leaders and the financial support of the international community.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

January 22, 2026 Peace and security

Dozens of schools, kindergartens, and vocational schools in the Kharkiv region were destroyed or damaged by the fighting, forcing thousands of children to switch from in-person to online learning.

To expedite the return of children to a safe learning environment, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with financial support from the European Union, is implementing the "Restoring Schools in Ukraine" project.

As part of the €28 million project, 21 educational institutions in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region have already been restored—from kindergartens and schools to vocational schools. Most of these institutions are equipped with shelters where children and adults can safely and comfortably stay in the event of an emergency.

Thanks to this project, 65 facilities in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions of Ukraine have been restored.

In-person learning gives children a sense of stability and provides opportunities for social interaction. "That's why helping schools reopen and equip them with safe shelters remains a key priority for the European Union," said Representative Marianna Franco.

Each building underwent a detailed technical assessment to determine the extent of damage and the necessary repairs. The restoration work included replacing windows and doors, repairing roofs, insulating facades, upgrading heating systems, and renovating classrooms, gyms, hallways, and restrooms.

Thanks to shelters, some schools can now conduct classes in a safe environment, helping to normalize daily life.

"We are grateful to the European Union for its continued support in rebuilding educational infrastructure. This support goes far beyond rebuilding buildings – it's about restoring stability, predictability, and hope for thousands of families. It's about rebuilding lives and a future," said UNOPS representative Marysia Zapasnyk.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

January 22, 2026 International law

On Thursday, as President Donald Trump formally launched his Gaza Peace Council, independent UN human rights experts said they would continue to seek justice and accountability for crimes committed by all sides in the war between Hamas and Israel.

“The Peace Council was established in accordance with a plan submitted to the Security Council, which was put to a vote and adopted,” recalled Srinivasan Muralidhar, Chairman of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, which was established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021.

Accusations of genocide

Last September, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who was then serving as Chairperson of the Commission, stated that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This accusation relates to the military actions that began after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people. Israel has vehemently denied the accusation of genocide.

Muralidhar emphasized the Commission's obligation to investigate human rights violations committed by all parties to the conflict and in both territories. He also expressed hope that the experts' previous findings "will become part of some judicial mechanism" that will ensure justice for both peoples.

This year, the Commission plans to investigate "attacks by armed Palestinian groups," the chairman continued, emphasizing the independent nature of the group's work. Responding to questions about the Peace Council, he expressed hope that the plan being implemented "will take into account the interests of all people in the conflict zone."

The Commission Chairman also noted that due to a lack of funding, the experts were unable to investigate arms shipments and incidents of settler violence, despite this being within the commission's mandate.

Death of journalists

At a press conference in Geneva, the independent experts – who are not UN staff and are not remunerated for their work – also condemned the reported deaths of three Palestinian journalists in central Gaza in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday.

"When a journalist is killed, it means there is something to hide," said Commission member Florence Mumba.

The role of UNRWA

Experts also commenteddemolition of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem, highlighting the agency's key role in supporting Palestinians for decades.

"Israel should think very carefully before rejecting the work that UNRWA has done—important work that has absolved Israel of its obligations," Chris Sidoti said. "Of course, this will have implications for human rights… children have a right to education, all people have a right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health."

New composition of the Commission

Navi Pillay retired last October at the age of 83. Following her, her Commission colleagues Chris Sidoti and Miloon Kothari resigned.

In November, the Human Rights Council appointed a new Commission, reinstating Australian Chris Sidoti and lawyers Srinivasan Muralidhar of India and Florence Mumba of Zambia.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A two-hour drive from Sudan lies a region of a fragmented country, virtually isolated from the outside world, still struggling to rebuild itself, constantly feeling the echoes of the conflict raging in its neighboring state.