Monday

March 16, 2026

Armed conflicts and attacks

Middle Eastern crisis

At least four members of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are killed and three others are injured in an airstrike on a checkpoint at the entrance to Al-Qa'im, Al Anbar Governorate. A PMF official attributes the strike to the United States. (AFP via LBCI)

2026 Iran war

The Israeli Air Force strikes and completely destroys the Iranian Space Research Center in central Tehran, stating that it was being used for potential space warfare activities against Israeli satellites. (Iran Wire)

Kata'ib Hezbollah senior commander Abu Ali al-Askari is killed in an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq. (Jerusalem Post)

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad is reportedly attacked by two suicide drones, causing a powerful explosion. (Ynet)

The Royal Tulip Al Rasheed Hotel in the Green Zone in Baghdad is struck by a drone. (Al Jazeera)

2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis

Several NATO allies of the United States, including Germany, Italy, and Spain, rule out sending warships to lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following a request from U.S. president Donald Trump. (Reuters)

Australia rules out sending warships to lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. (Nine News Australia)

A Pakistan-bound oil tanker with its Automatic Identification System activated, the Karachi, gets safe passage and crosses Hormuz following negotiations between the Pakistani and Iranian governments. According to Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Pakistan agreed to pay the oil shipment, purchased from Abu Dhabi, in Chinese yuan instead of in US dollars. (AAJ News)

2026 Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates

Iran launches drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates, killing a Palestinian man in Abu Dhabi and forcing the temporary closure of Dubai International Airport. The port of Fujairah, in the Emirate of Fujairah, already attacked two days ago, is also hit. (The Telegraph) (BBC)

Hezbollah–Israel conflict

2026 Lebanon war

At least seven people, including four children, are injured by Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. (The Times of Israel) (The Jerusalem Post)

The Israeli military's 91st Division launches a ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, expanding a buffer zone along the border. (Israel Hayom) (The Times of Israel)

Russo-Ukrainian war

2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan conflict

2026 Kabul hospital airstrike

Afghanistan claims Pakistani jets bombed a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, killing over 400 people. Pakistan denies the claim, saying it attacked military installations. AFP and BBC journalists confirm at least 30 dead as a result of the bombing. (BBC News) (The Washington Post)

2026 Maiduguri bombings

At least 23 people are killed and 108 others are injured in suspected suicide bombings at three locations, including the Monday Market and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. No group has claimed responsibility. (Reuters) (AP)

Nigerian bandit conflict, kidnapping in Nigeria

One person is killed and seven others are abducted, including children, in an attack on a community in Chikun, Kaduna State, Nigeria. (The Punch)

Arts and culture

A police report in New York formally reveals English street artist Banksy's identity as 51-year-old Robin Gunningham from Bristol, England. (ABC News) (The Telegraph)