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Rights Report: Football World Cup in Russia is Tainted with Blood of Syrian Civilians

Cover page of the rights report on Russia, Syria and the World Cup. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Cover page of the rights report on Russia, Syria and the World Cup. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Rights Report: Football World Cup in Russia is Tainted with Blood of Syrian Civilians

Cover page of the rights report on Russia, Syria and the World Cup. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Cover page of the rights report on Russia, Syria and the World Cup. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) released a report entitled, “The World Cup is Tainted with the Blood of 6,133 Syrian Civilians Killed by Russia”, documenting the most flagrant violations by Russian forces since the start of its military intervention in Syria on September 30, 2015.

The report noted that Russian warplanes were exterminating tens of thousands of Syrians, thousands of kilometers away from Moscow, at a time when Russia was building stadiums, hotels and hospitals as part of its campaign to organize the Fifa World Cup, which will kick of in June.

The Russia, therefore, is a primary partner in the Syrian regime’s serious violations, according to the report.

Stressing that the World Cup was an opportune moment to remind the world of the atrocities that Russia has perpetrated in Syria, the report said that the SNHR had compiled a comprehensive and detailed database of all the incidents and victims killed by Russian forces.

In addition, the report highlighted three main points that summarize Russia’s role at the United Nations Security Council with respect to Syria.

It said Russia was involved, as a permanent member state, in threatening security and peace in Syria through an unprecedented brutal bombardment, instead of working with the other members on protecting the Syrian people from the daily regime killings that started in the beginning of the popular uprising in the country.

The SNHR added that Russia used its veto power 12 times against any resolution that would condemn, confront, or demand the Syrian regime to be held accountable.

The report said that Russia’s claim that it had intervened in Syria to counter the ISIS and al-Nusra Front groups was used to justify its arbitrary killings and destruction against the people. The unprecedented violence perpetrated by the regime and its Iranian and Russian allies against the Syrians was the primary reason for the emergence of ISIS.

It also noted that 6,133 civilians, including 1,761 children and 661 women (adult female), were killed by Russian forces, which also perpetrated 317 massacres.

More than 939 attacks on vital civilian facilities have been documented, including 167 attacks on medical facilities, 140 on mosques and 55 on markets.

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Arab World

Iraqi Government Seeks to Keep Country Out of Iran War Fallout

Al-Sudani chairs a meeting of the National Security Council (Prime Minister’s Office Media).
Al-Sudani chairs a meeting of the National Security Council (Prime Minister’s Office Media).
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Iraqi Government Seeks to Keep Country Out of Iran War Fallout

Al-Sudani chairs a meeting of the National Security Council (Prime Minister’s Office Media).
Al-Sudani chairs a meeting of the National Security Council (Prime Minister’s Office Media).

The government of outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is working to distance Iraq from the escalating US-Israel war on Iran.

Tehran has responded to the military operation launched by the US and Israel with missile strikes on Gulf states and other locations, including Iraq, saying it is targeting American bases and interests.

Although Iraq has not been directly drawn into the conflict - unlike during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), the 1990–1991 Gulf War, or the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein - fear is mounting as the country risks being caught between Iran and its local allies and the broader confrontation involving Washington and Tel Aviv.

There are also concerns that any disruption to Gulf shipping lanes could significantly curtail Iraq’s oil revenues.

Al-Sudani, who also serves as commander in chief of the armed forces, chaired on Monday an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security, according to a statement from his office.

The premier instructed security agencies to prevent any actions that could undermine stability and to ensure that Iraq is not dragged into the conflict. Still, some observers say the government has been unable to stop missile attacks on Iraqi territory.

The government reiterated its commitment to protecting diplomatic missions and critical infrastructure, while affirming that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly remain constitutionally protected rights.

The statement stressed that security forces will continue safeguarding citizens, diplomatic facilities and public and private property, in line with national laws and international obligations.

The remarks appeared to reference attempts Sunday evening by groups linked to Iran-aligned armed factions to approach the US Embassy in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone. Security forces stopped them from reaching the compound.

The council added that Iraq remains committed to preventing escalation and ensuring its territory is not used for external or internal conflicts, underscoring that decisions on national security and military action lie solely with the state and its constitutional institutions.

The council also reviewed the potential economic fallout of a prolonged and expanding conflict, particularly the risks associated with a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The bulk of Iraq’s oil exports pass through the Gulf en route to the strategic waterway.

Given the country’s heavy dependence on oil income, any sustained disruption to maritime traffic would pose a serious threat to Iraq’s already fragile economy.

Arab World

At Least 30,000 Displaced People in Shelters in Lebanon, Says UN Refugee Agency

Displaced residents from the southern suburbs sit along Corniche Al Manara in Beirut, Lebanon, 02 March 2026, after fleeing their homes following Israeli strikes. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Displaced residents from the southern suburbs sit along Corniche Al Manara in Beirut, Lebanon, 02 March 2026, after fleeing their homes following Israeli strikes. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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At Least 30,000 Displaced People in Shelters in Lebanon, Says UN Refugee Agency

Displaced residents from the southern suburbs sit along Corniche Al Manara in Beirut, Lebanon, 02 March 2026, after fleeing their homes following Israeli strikes. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Displaced residents from the southern suburbs sit along Corniche Al Manara in Beirut, Lebanon, 02 March 2026, after fleeing their homes following Israeli strikes. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

At least 30,000 displaced people have sought protection in shelters in Lebanon since hostilities between Israel and ‌Hezbollah began ‌on Monday, ‌the United ⁠Nations refugee agency ⁠said on Tuesday.

"Conservative estimates suggest that nearly 30,000 people were ⁠hosted and ‌registered ‌at collective shelters," ‌said UNHCR spokesperson ‌Babar Baloch.

"Many more slept in their cars on ‌the side of roads or ⁠were still ⁠stuck in traffic jams on the roads," he added.

Israel launched more strikes on Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia group. Explosions could be heard and smoke seen in a southern suburb of Beirut.

Israel also said its soldiers were “operating in southern Lebanon.”

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the Lebanese army was evacuating some of its positions along the border.

Arab World

Lebanese President Says Ban on Hezbollah’s Military Activity ‘Irreversible’

President Aoun meets with members of the Quintet at the presidential palace on Tuesday. (Lebanese Presidency)
President Aoun meets with members of the Quintet at the presidential palace on Tuesday. (Lebanese Presidency)
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Lebanese President Says Ban on Hezbollah’s Military Activity ‘Irreversible’

President Aoun meets with members of the Quintet at the presidential palace on Tuesday. (Lebanese Presidency)
President Aoun meets with members of the Quintet at the presidential palace on Tuesday. (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that the decision to ban Hezbollah's military activities is "irreversible", as the Iran-backed movement claimed responsibility for new attacks targeting Israeli positions.

Speaking to members of the Quintet -- a committee made up of the French, US, Qatari, Saudi Arabian, and Egyptian ambassadors -- the president called the decision "final," after a Hezbollah statement on Monday night lambasted the state's "impotence in the face of the brutal Zionist enemy".

Aoun urged the Quintet members to "pressure Israel to stop its aggressions against Lebanon" as Israel continued launching intense strikes and authorized its troops to "take control of additional strategic positions in Lebanon".