Middle East

ISIL, also known by the Arabic moniker, Daesh, conducted a genocidal campaign against the Yazidis, whose historic homeland is the northern town of Sinjar.   The atrocities they committed included sexual violence, mass executions, forced conversions, and other crimes.    Trauma and perseverance  “As we commemorate this traumatic page of…

The extension includes a commitment by the Government and Houthi rebels to intensify negotiations to reach an expanded agreement as soon as possible.  The envoy thanked the leadership of both sides for agreeing to the extension, and for their continued constructive engagements.  “I count on the continued cooperation of the parties…

In a statement issued late Saturday night, the UN chief appealed to all relevant actors “to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation, avoid any further violence, and ensure the protection of peaceful protesters and State institutions”.  Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights – UN chief For the…

Ambassadors convened late in the afternoon New York time, to discuss the 20 July attack in Zahko, a city in the Kurdistan region near the border with Türkiye, in an area where Turkish forces are conducting counter-terrorism operations against outlawed militant groups.  Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert provided a timeline of developments since…

Mounting tensions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and continued settlement activity and settler-related violence continue. “Immediate steps to reverse negative trends and support the Palestinian people are essential,” said Lynn Hastings, UNSCO’s deputy chief, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, speaking on behalf…