The United States sanctioned six Syrian individuals and eleven entities connected with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The sanctions come on the third anniversary of air strikes by the Assad regime that killed more than thirty civilians (Al Jazeera).

The European Parliament called for an immediate cease-fire in Afghanistan as violence between the Taliban and Afghan government forces continues, despite ongoing peace talks. Taliban negotiators have so far rejected calls for a cease-fire (TOLO).

Four days after Armenian and Azerbaijani forces resumed fighting over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, both sides show no signs of backing down, despite international calls for a cease-fire, and the official death toll has surpassed one hundred (Associated Press). France accused Turkey, which has vowed to support Azerbaijan, of sending Syrian mercenaries to the region. Turkey denied the claim (Reuters). Russia, an Armenian ally, joined France’s call for a cease-fire and offered to host talks on the conflict. Armenia and Azerbaijan have rejected such calls so far (Al Jazeera).

Former Defense Minister Ba N’Daou will be inaugurated as president tomorrow, kicking off what is meant to be an eighteen-month transition back to civilian rule after an August military coup. The coup’s leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, will become vice president (Financial Times).

The United States announced sanctions on three Iranian prisons, two judges, and a court for human rights violations, including in the case of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari. Iran executed Afkari earlier this month after convicting him of murder during 2018 protests (State Department).

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un apologized for his military’s killing of a South Korean official at sea, South Korea’s presidential office said. In a notice released by South Korean officials, North Korea detailed its findings about the incident (Yonhap).

Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas reached a deal during reconciliation talks this week to hold the territories’ first elections in almost fifteen years (Al Jazeera). Successive elections, which will occur in the next six months, will choose the Palestinian Legislative Council, the Palestinian Authority (PA) president, and the Palestinian National Council, senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub said. Palestinian leaders will likely meet next week to solidify the plans (Al-Monitor).

EU officials met with the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and with Juan Guaido, who the United States and over fifty other countries view as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, to discuss delaying the country’s controversial legislative elections. The United States accused the European bloc of subverting its isolationist policy toward Maduro (Washington Post).

Militants linked to the Islamic State attacked a government convoy in Borno State twice in less than three days. Eighteen people were killed in the first attack on Friday, the military said, though local media reported a higher toll. There were no casualties in the second attack (BBC, Vanguard).

Interim President Ba N’Daou appointed former Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane to be Mali’s new prime minister as the country rebuilds its government after a military coup. The selection of a civilian prime minister, such as Ouane, was required for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lift post-coup sanctions on Mali (Al Jazeera).