YPG Announces Dissolution in Syria After Army Integration Deal
YPG Dissolution in Syria
The YPG terror group in Syria has announced its dissolution after reaching an agreement with the Syrian president and completing its integration into the national army. [1] YPG ringleader Mazloum Abdi stated the move follows an agreement with the Syrian president and the completion of the integration process into the army. [1] The announcement centers on the group’s decision to end its separate operations through this integration. [1] Mazloum Abdi described the dissolution as the direct result of the completed agreement and army integration. [1] The process concluded with the YPG no longer functioning as an independent entity. [1]
Escalating Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Infrastructure
Russia’s infrastructure continues to be struck by Ukrainian attacks while President Putin seeks to seize greater control of it. [2] Ukrainian strikes have pummeled Russian infrastructure in ongoing operations. [2] President Putin has responded by seeking greater control over the affected infrastructure. [2] The pattern of strikes has prompted this shift in Russian policy toward centralized oversight. [2] Russian infrastructure remains under repeated pressure from the Ukrainian attacks. [2]
Ukrainian strikes damage Russian infrastructure as Putin seeks greater control. — Source: cnn
UN Push for Sudan Arms Embargo Amid Drone Warfare
The US has called for a Sudan-wide arms embargo at the UN as drone attacks by both the army and RSF escalate in the four-year conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced 14 million. [3] US President Donald Trump's senior Africa envoy Massad Boulos asked the UN to extend its arms embargo from Darfur to all of Sudan. [3] Boulos warned that the war could spread across the wider region if external support continues. [3] The UN Security Council must act to stop external financial and military support such as drones and related technologies from entering Sudan, according to Boulos. [3] Drone attacks are escalating with both the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces accused of using them. [3] The conflict is now in its fourth year. [3] The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and forced 14 million more to flee their homes. [3] A wider arms embargo would require a Security Council vote, with Russia and China opposing the move on grounds that it would affect Sudan’s army effectiveness. [3] Sudan’s UN envoy agreed that the embargo would weaken protection for civilians. [3] The army controls much of Sudan’s central and eastern regions while the RSF is headquartered in the western region of Darfur and also controls areas in the south. [3] The army carried out drone strikes on RSF positions in Nyala in Darfur. [3] Nyala airport has become one of the paramilitary group’s chief logistics hubs. [3] An arms embargo covering the Darfur region has been in place for more than two decades and will expire next month if not amended or renewed. [3] Observers say the existing embargo has done little to stop the flow of weapons into Darfur. [3] Darfur has witnessed some of the worst fighting since the conflict erupted in April 2023. [3] Ethnic violence witnessed 20 years ago has reignited in Darfur. [3] UN experts said atrocities allegedly committed by RSF fighters as they took over the city of el-Fasher last October showed the hallmarks of genocide. [3] UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that fighting had in recent weeks been characterised by the heavy use of drones. [3] UN under secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told the council that civilians were facing the unrelenting consequences of one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time. [3] Drones launched by both sides have repeatedly struck markets, schools, fuel stations and water infrastructure. [3] The UN had documented that 1,100 civilians had died in drone strikes between January and June this year. [3] The true death toll since the war began was uncertain but was likely to be in the hundreds of thousands, DiCarlo said. [3] The continued use of sophisticated weaponry pointed to ongoing external support to both sides. [3] Boulos said the US plan included a proposal to increase the number of experts monitoring the embargo. [3] Boulos asked the council to take steps to curtail external actors fuelling the conflict. [3] Sudan’s military chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stated that continuing talk about sanctions would neither affect Sudan nor weaken its resolve. [3] Amnesty International found evidence of weapons manufactured in Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, Yemen and United Arab Emirates being used in Sudan. [3] The UAE is accused of being the main provider of arms and support to the RSF. [3] Sudan’s military has used Turkish and Iranian drones and receives political and other backing from Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. [3]
Attack on UN Peacekeepers in South Sudan
Two UN peacekeepers were killed and several others wounded in an ambush by unidentified armed persons on a patrol in South Sudan’s Jonglei state. [4] Two employees of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan were killed in an attack on a patrol carried out by unidentified armed persons. [4] Three peacekeepers, two local police officers and two civilian UN staff were wounded in the ambush. [4] The nationality of the killed peacekeepers has not yet been established. [4] The incident occurred while the patrol was moving toward Pajut in Jonglei state. [4] The vehicles were attacked by unidentified armed persons. [4] A rapid response team was sent to the area to ensure security and support urgent measures. [4] The mission warned that attacks on UN peacekeepers can constitute war crimes under international law. [4] Mission head Anita Kiki Gbeho called on authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice. [4] Around 12,000 military, police and civilian personnel are involved in the UN mission in South Sudan. [4] South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in 2011. [4] The following years were marked by political struggles and violence. [4] Around 400,000 people were killed during the civil war that lasted from 2013 to 2018. [4] Since 2025 the security situation has deteriorated again. [4] The UN warns that the country risks returning to large-scale armed conflict. [4]
Israeli Raid on UNRWA Facility in East Jerusalem
UNRWA has urged the international community to protect a training center in occupied East Jerusalem after an unauthorized Israeli raid. [5] The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says Israeli forces entered the facility in occupied East Jerusalem without authorization. [5] UNRWA called for international protection of its training center following the raid. [5] The unauthorized entry prompted the agency’s appeal to the international community. [5]
What to watch next: The UN Security Council faces a vote on extending the Darfur arms embargo, while South Sudan authorities are urged to investigate the ambush on peacekeepers and Russia continues efforts to control infrastructure under Ukrainian strikes.
