Atrocity Alert is a weekly publication by the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect highlighting and updating situations where populations are at risk of, or are enduring, mass atrocity crimes.

Syria

Despite the cessation of hostilities, fighting in Syria increased during mid-April, including government forces bombing hospitals and displacement camps. Violence in Aleppo has killed over 300 people in the last two weeks. On 9 May the United States and Russia led a diplomatic push to reinstate the nation-wide cessation of hostilities. The Syrian government agreed to extend a truce in Aleppo, in place since 5 May, until midnight on 11 May.

Nigeria

The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria and neighboring countries remains dire due to the widespread displacement of populations, acute food insecurity and the ongoing threat of attacks by the extremist group Boko Haram. The upcoming regional security summit, taking place in Abuja on 14 May and bringing together the heads of state of Nigeria, France, Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and Benin, should emphasize the humanitarian situation in Boko Haram-affected areas and address ways to improve support for IDPs and refugees.

Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

For the first time since the 2014 war in Gaza, Hamas and Israeli forces engaged in cross-border attacks. The attacks started two days prior to a UN Security Council Arria Formula meeting on the protection of the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The meeting was convened on 6 May by the Permanent Missions of Angola, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela.