More than 100 armed conflicts, most lasting for more than 30 years
A Swiss-led U.N. Security Council session called on all countries and armed groups to fulfill their obligations for protecting civilians under international humanitarian law.
Syria
Syrian government's isolation eases with Arab bloc summit appearance
Syrian President Bashar Assad, formerly ostracized by most Arab nations, was warmly readmitted to the Arab League.
Economic sanctions as a modern tool: Cruel to the most vulnerable?
A new study finds economic sanctions in target countries contribute to increases in mortality, poverty, and inequality, and to declines in per-capita income and human rights.
UN appeal seeks US$2.56B for humanitarian needs in Sudan
The fighting that broke out last month caused the ranks of those who need humanitarian aid and protection to swell to 24.6 million, or slightly more than half of Sudan's 49 million.
New U.N. estimate shows the Syrian civil war's deadly toll on civilians
More than half of the deaths were never documented due to the difficulty of collecting reliable data on death tolls in conflict zones, made still harder by the brutality of Syria's war.
Pushed to the brink: War, disaster, lost rights challenge kids worldwide
From a rollback of basic rights in the United States to the killing fields of Ukraine and the earthquake zones of Turkey and Syria, children struggle in an often indifferent world.
Status quo 'totally unacceptable' in quake-hit, war-ravaged Syria
"The tragic reality is that an effective response was hampered in part by challenges that relate directly to the unresolved issues at the heart of the conflict," the U.N. special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, told the U.N. Security Council.
U.N. talks open on Syria national governance
Syrian representatives, dogged by mistrust from an almost decade-long civil war, began a fourth round of peace talks on a new system of governance.
Groups cite high number of land mine casualties
At least 5,554 people were killed or wounded last year because they stepped on a land mine or other unexploded devices from war, a new report found.
WFP wins Nobel Prize to focus world on hunger
The Nobel Peace Prize went to the World Food Program for its efforts to alleviate hunger amid the pandemic and to urge more international cooperation.
Envoy says Syrian peace talks restoring trust
The U.N. special envoy to Syria said peace talks built "a little bit" more confidence and trust among government, opposition and civil society representatives.
Tribunal convicts one in Hariri assassination
A U.N.-appointed tribunal convicted one of four Hezbollah members charged in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Security Council further tightens Syria aid
The U.N. Security Council, bowing to Russia, constricted aid for Syrians in areas still beyond Syrian government control to just one Turkish border crossing.
New evidence of Syrian war crimes found
U.N. experts unveiled fresh evidence of Syrian war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in opposition-held Idlib province since November.
Security Council backs COVID-19 cease-fire
The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution calling for cease-fires worldwide so that everyone can focus on ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donors pledge €6.9 billion to help Syrians
Governments and organizations pledged €6.9 billion in humanitarian aid for people displaced inside Syria and for refugees who fled to neighboring countries.