State institutions came to the fore through military force and punishment in Gaza, Damascus and eastern Libya
Talks involving Ugandan and Burundian delegations over a Gaza force, a life sentence for Syria's former grand mufti and military-court executions in eastern Libya brought institutions' roles in the use of force into view in three places.
Geopolitics··Midday
Uganda finalises troop details while Burundi has not yet decided
Ugandan officials joined a Burundian military delegation that travelled to Israel last week. According to an AP report citing a Board of Peace official, Uganda's parliament approved a troop contribution this month and the country is finalising details, while nothing has been settled with Burundi. Uganda has committed about 1,200 troops and Morocco up to 500. Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania together have committed about 80, against a 20,000-troop target for a force planned to be led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers.[1]
A Damascus court gives former grand mufti Hassoun life imprisonment
Damascus's Fourth Criminal Court found former grand mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun guilty of inciting killings and abuse of office, issuing its decision at the end of a trial that opened on 25 June 2026. According to Al Jazeera's report, the court found that the official religious institution Hassoun led had been used to provide religious cover for military and security operations. It also ordered compensation for victims, confiscation of assets and exclusion from general or special amnesties.[2]
Ten people are shot after military-court convictions in eastern Libya
The military prosecutor's office in eastern Libya said 10 people convicted of terrorism-related charges were executed by firing squad after years-long trials. AP reported that the office is overseen by the Libyan National Army commanded by Khalifa Hifter. Its statement did not say when or where the executions occurred. Libya's National Institution for Human Rights said trying civilians before military courts raises fundamental questions about judicial independence and fair-trial guarantees, and noted a Constitutional Court ruling that found such trials unconstitutional.[3]
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