Daily Peace and Crisis Report

Compiled March 13, 2026, 08:10 AEDT

1. US-Israel War on Iran

The United States and Israel continued large-scale military operations against Iran on Thursday, as the conflict entered its 13th day since strikes began on 28 February 2026. According to Iran's representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, at least 1,348 civilians have been killed and more than 17,000 injured in Iran since the war began. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported a higher toll of at least 1,825 people killed as of 11 March, including 1,276 civilians — among them at least 200 children — as well as 197 military personnel. Al Jazeera; AFP

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that up to 3.2 million people — between 600,000 and one million households — have been forcibly displaced inside Iran since the war erupted, with most fleeing Tehran and other major urban centres toward northern and rural areas. The figure is expected to rise as hostilities continue. Al Jazeera; Reuters

UN human rights experts issued a formal condemnation of the military assault, calling it "a flagrant violation of international law" and an "act of aggression." They cited specific incidents of grave concern, including a US missile strike on a girls' school in Iran in which at least 180 girls were killed, strikes on oil refineries causing acid rain, and attacks on a desalination plant. The experts warned that the conflict risks "engulfing the wider region in catastrophic armed violence." OHCHR

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported killed in the strikes, according to TASS. Iran's IRGC has continued retaliatory attacks on US bases and energy infrastructure across the Gulf, and has closed the Strait of Hormuz — through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil transits — driving oil prices to approximately $100 per barrel. The International Energy Agency announced a record release of 400 million barrels of crude oil to stabilise markets. TASS (Rus); Al Jazeera

Diplomatic Signals and Conditions for Peace

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined three conditions for ending the war: recognition of Iran's legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm international guarantees against future aggression. This marks a rare diplomatic posture from Tehran, which had initially rejected any ceasefire negotiations. Analysts suggest the political leadership is more inclined toward diplomacy than the IRGC, though the extent of civilian control over the IRGC remains unclear. Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump told Axios on Wednesday that the war would end "soon" because there is "practically nothing left to target," while Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz stated the war would continue "without any time limit." Russia called on the United States and Israel to end their attacks and return to the negotiating table. Reuters; TASS (Rus)

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking during a visit to Türkiye, urged all combatants to cease hostilities, uphold international law, and return immediately to the negotiating table. He warned that the Middle East had been "pushed to the breaking point" and that the consequences of the conflict were "cascading around the world." UN News

Lebanon

Israel continued large-scale strikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, following Hezbollah rocket attacks. Lebanon's Information Minister Paul Marcos confirmed that at least 687 people have been killed in Lebanon since 2 March, including 98 children and 52 women, with the Lebanese army reporting three of its soldiers killed. UN human rights experts condemned Israeli evacuation orders for South Lebanon and southern Beirut as "blatantly illegal," noting that combined with heavy bombardment, they had resulted in the forced displacement of at least 700,000 people. AFP; OHCHR

Gulf States and Iraq

Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed at least 24 people across Gulf states and among US forces, including seven US service members. Reuters reported that as many as 150 US troops have been wounded in the conflict. In Iraq, at least 37 people have been killed — predominantly Iran-backed fighters struck by US and Israeli operations, though one civilian was killed by rocket shrapnel near Baghdad. AFP; Reuters

2. Gaza Strip and the Occupied West Bank

The Gaza Strip continues to face ongoing Israeli military operations despite the ceasefire announced on 10 October 2025. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the cumulative death toll since 7 October 2023 has risen to at least 72,136 killed and 171,839 wounded. Since the ceasefire began, OHCHR has recorded the killing of at least 631 Palestinians in Israeli military operations. Between 26 February and 5 March 2026 alone, 18 Palestinians were killed and 41 injured. UNRWA Situation Report #212; Palestinian Information Centre

All crossings into Gaza except Kerem Shalom remain closed. Medical evacuations are on hold, and 46 per cent of essential medicines and 66 per cent of medical consumables are out of stock, according to the WHO. An estimated 71,000 displaced people are living in 81 UNRWA emergency shelters. UNRWA has recorded 391 of its own staff killed in Gaza since the start of the war. UNRWA

An Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian man and injured dozens more in a crowded market during the reporting period, constituting a further violation of the nominal ceasefire. Israel also dropped charges against five soldiers accused of torturing a Palestinian detainee during the war, a decision condemned by human rights organisations. Reuters

West Bank

In the occupied West Bank, three Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli settlers on 7 March 2026, bringing the total settler-violence deaths to six since the beginning of 2026. Since 7 October 2023, at least 1,062 Palestinians — including 231 children — have been killed in the West Bank, according to OCHA. Human rights groups have raised alarm over a surge in settler violence exploiting reduced international attention due to the Iran war. UNRWA; DW

3. Russia-Ukraine War

The Russia-Ukraine war continued along multiple frontline sectors, with 128 combat engagements reported over the past day. Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russia has lost approximately 1,276,760 troops since the full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022, including 780 casualties in the past day. Russia launched 94 attack drones at Ukraine over the past day. A major Russian oil hub in Krasnodar Krai was struck in a Ukrainian drone attack, with fuel storage tanks reported ablaze. Kyiv Independent (Ukr)

A January 2026 report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated Ukraine has suffered between 500,000 and 600,000 total casualties since February 2022, of which 100,000 to 140,000 are believed to have been killed in action. President Zelensky confirmed at least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in action. Russia's ongoing strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have tripled this winter, though continuous repairs and Western support have prevented a total grid collapse. Kyiv Independent (Ukr)

Peace Talks

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida on 11 March in what both sides described as "productive" talks — the first direct US-Russia negotiations since the Iran war began. Trilateral Ukraine-US-Russia talks are scheduled for 16–22 March. President Trump stated that Putin was "more inclined" to negotiate a deal, though Zelensky's office has denied reports of imminent concessions. Russia's Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed the special military operation continues while Russia "remains open to a ceasefire." RTÉ; Euromaidan Press (Ukr)

4. Sudan

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed alarm on Thursday at the devastating impact of drone attacks on civilians in Sudan. More than 200 civilians have been killed by drones since 4 March alone, in the Kordofan region and White Nile state. In West Kordofan, at least 152 civilians were reportedly killed by Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) drone strikes, including at least 50 when a market and a hospital were hit. Attacks on two markets in Abu Zabad and Wad Banda on 7 March left at least 40 civilians dead. A lorry carrying civilians was struck by a SAF drone on 10 March, reportedly killing at least 50 civilians. UN News

In South Kordofan, at least 39 civilians were reportedly killed — including 14 in the state capital Dilling — in heavy artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied SPLM-North between 4 and 5 March. The conflict has also expanded to White Nile state, where RSF drone strikes hit a secondary school and a health clinic in Shukeiri village on 11 March, reportedly killing at least 17 civilians including a health worker. The UN warned that Sudan's war is "entering a deadlier phase" as fighting spreads to new regions. UN News

5. South Sudan

South Sudan is teetering on the brink of a full-scale civil war following the collapse of the 2020 power-sharing accord between President Salva Kiir's SPLM and the opposition SPLM-IO. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced since the start of 2026, with escalating violence in Jonglei State forcing aid agencies — including Save the Children — to withdraw from key areas. An Oxfam press release warned that an evacuation order has removed humanitarian support for over 200,000 people, deepening catastrophic conditions. The New Humanitarian; Oxfam

World Vision reported that at least 139 people — most of them women and children — have been killed in recent violence, with children bearing the brunt of the escalating crisis. A new "military operation" announced by the government threatens to further escalate hostilities. World Vision

6. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The UN raised alarm over escalating violence in eastern DRC's Ituri Province, where at least 10 civilians were killed on Wednesday near the Bule locality in Djugu Territory during clashes between armed groups. Since the beginning of March, fighting in surrounding villages has left at least 21 people dead and forced many others to flee. The Plaine Savo displacement site now hosts nearly 136,000 people — roughly double the number recorded two months ago — and humanitarian access remains severely restricted due to insecurity. UN News

In rebel-held Goma, a drone strike on a residential area killed a French UNICEF aid worker and two civilians. The M23 rebel group blamed the Congolese army for the attack. Congolese authorities announced an investigation into the strike. SOS Médias Burundi

7. Myanmar

Myanmar's military junta continued mass atrocities against civilians and prisoners of war. On 8 March, junta airstrikes targeted a detention centre run by the Arakan Army (AA) in Ann Township, Rakhine State, killing 116 detainees — including junta troops and officers held as prisoners of war — and seriously injuring 32. ACLED's Asia-Pacific Senior Analyst confirmed the attack was deliberate, conducted after weeks of aerial reconnaissance. ACLED

In Bago Region's Nyaunglebin Township, resistance forces rescued more than 300 civilians held hostage by junta troops following a mass killing on 5 March, in which approximately 40 villagers — including more than 20 women and children — were killed. On 12 March, two junta air raids killed six civilians, including two 6-year-old children, in Shwekyin Township. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported that since the 1 February 2021 coup, a total of 7,870 people — including pro-democracy activists and civilians — have been killed by the junta. The Irrawaddy; AAPP

8. International Cooperation and Peacekeeping

The UN Security Council held two votes on the Middle East war — the first formal deliberations since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. A Bahrain-sponsored resolution calling on Iran to halt attacks on Gulf states passed with 13 votes in favour. A separate resolution condemning the US-Israeli strikes on Iran was vetoed by the United States. The divergent outcomes highlighted deep divisions within the Council. Al Jazeera

UNICEF issued a grave warning on 12 March, reporting that child casualties are rising amid the deepening Middle East conflict. More than 1,100 children have been killed or wounded since the Iran war began, including 200 in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel and one in Kuwait. UNICEF

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced an "extraordinary session" to discuss threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Council on Foreign Relations warned that the Iran war is "breaking global humanitarian aid efforts," choking off disaster relief supply chains and spiking oil prices. Council on Foreign Relations

The UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, speaking at a high-level meeting on violence against women, warned that conflicts around the world are exposing women and girls to severe and lasting harm. She cited Sudan, DRC and Haiti as particularly alarming cases, noting that a child is raped every half hour in DRC. UN News

Key Conflict Statistics