International Law

Core Summary Independent UN human rights experts publicly announced on September 17 that there are reasonable grounds to believe that US airstrikes on Iranian territory earlier this year may constitute war crimes. The experts focused particularly on the strike on a primary school in Minab and a sports complex in Lamerd, both of which resulted in significant civilian casualties. To date, the US government has not formally responded to the allegations or acknowledged carrying out the strikes. ...

The Syrian government issued a statement strongly condemning Israeli airstrikes around Damascus, calling them a serious violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions. This follows reports that Israel also struck a military airbase near the Turkish border, as regional tensions continue to escalate.

Core Summary A Syrian court has sentenced ousted president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria’s civil war. Assad fled to Moscow with his family after his regime collapsed in December 2024, ending his family’s five-decade rule. This marks the first judicial proceeding against senior Assad regime officials by Syria’s transitional government. Event Details According to BBC reports, the Syrian court ruled on August 11 that Assad committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Syrian civil war. Assad’s cousin, Atef Najib, former head of political security in southern Syria’s Deraa province, was also sentenced to death after appearing in court wearing a striped prison uniform. ...

The Israeli navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters near Crete, detaining 175 activists and drawing widespread international condemnation.

The Israeli navy intercepted 22 Gaza-bound aid vessels in international waters near the Greek island of Crete, detaining approximately 175 activists, drawing strong international reaction.

Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Crete, approximately 1,000 km from Gaza, seizing seven vessels and detaining crew members.