united nations

Sudan War at 'Turning Point' But No End in Sight: Analysts

Sudan's army has recaptured the presidential palace from rival paramilitaries and is pushing ahead to wrest full control of the capital, but analysts warn that the brutal two-year war is far from over. In the early days of the fighting, the army-aligned government was forced to flee Khartoum, which army forces are now a breath away from ...

UN Blames 'Israeli Tank' for Deadly Strike on Its Buildings in Gaza

The United Nations said Monday a strike on its buildings in Gaza last week that killed one employee and injured several others was caused "by an Israeli tank," a claim disputed by the country's government. "Based on the information currently available, the strikes hitting a UN compound in Deir al-Balah on 19 March were caused by an Israeli tank," ...

Shiite Clans in Lebanon: Alliances, Autonomy, and Current Issues

Recent armed clashes on the Lebanese-Syrian border have once again brought attention to the situation of Shiite clans in this region. These events have also highlighted the key role these clans play in the local social and political fabric. Who are they? How do they interact with Hezbollah and the Lebanese state? The Shiite clans of northern ...

UN Peacekeeping Missions: An Endless Odyssey?

From the dusty streets of Bangui to the mountains of Lebanon, over 70,000 United Nations peacekeepers put their lives on the line every day to uphold a fragile peace. Drawn from 125 countries, these missions represent one of the UN’s most dangerous undertakings. But how much do we really know about these operations that, for more than 70 ...

UN Warns of 'Massive Trauma' for Gaza's Children Amid Renewed Fighting

The UN warned Friday that all of Gaza's approximately one million children were facing "massive trauma" as fighting in the war-ravaged territory resumed and amid dire aid shortages. Humanitarians described an alarming situation in Gaza amid a growing civilian death toll since Israel resumed aerial bombardment and ground operations this week after ...

UNIFIL Celebrates 47th Anniversary Amid Fragile Ceasefire in Southern Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) marked on Wednesday the 47th anniversary of its establishment, amidst a fragile truce in southern Lebanon. Since its inception in 1978, UNIFIL's mandate has included overseeing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the South and aiding the Lebanese government in restoring its authority in the ...

Lebanon Prepares to Hand Over 700 Syrian Detainees as Part of Bilateral Agreement

Lebanon is set to hand over over 700 Syrian detainees to Syria out of the more than 2,000 currently held in its overcrowded prisons, a Lebanese judicial official told AFP on Thursday. “There are more than 700 Syrian detainees and convicts whose files have been finalized and who meet the conditions for extradition,” the official, speaking on ...

Resolution 1680: A Turning Point for Lebanese Sovereignty

On May 17, 2006, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1680, a decisive text aimed at strengthening Lebanon's independence and normalizing its relations with Syria. This resolution, lesser-known than the spotlight-stealing Resolutions 1701 and 1559, deserves our attention if we are to understand the current dynamics between these ...

Mandolesi: UNIFIL's Cooperation with Lebanese Army Key to Maintaining Peace

In a statement during a university workshop in Tyre on Wednesday, the commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) West Sector, Nicola Mandolesi, emphasized the critical role of UNIFIL's presence “in maintaining peace and stability” in Lebanon. He noted that “cooperation with local communities and the Lebanese Armed ...

Lebanese Parliamentary Committee Pushes for Direct Security Coordination with Syria Amid Border Clashes

The Lebanese Parliament’s National Defense, Interior and Municipalities Committee has proposed sending a high-level delegation to Syria on Tuesday, to enhance direct coordination and prevent further border escalation. The delegation would include Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Rajji, Defense Minister Michel Menassa and top security ...

UN Envoy Calls for Urgent Diplomacy as ‘Cautious Optimism’ Surrounds Lebanon’s Stability

The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed “cautious optimism” regarding Lebanon’s political and security situation during her briefing to the UN Security Council on Monday. Hennis-Plasschaert welcomed the formation of Lebanon’s new government and its ministerial program. She also ...