Search

Foreign actors

Hariri: Assad Regime Stonewalled Geneva Negotiations

Coalition media office quotes HNC head as saying the Assad regime shifted focus of the talks to countering terrorism as a way to avoid discussing a political transition, adding that Moscow’s efforts to ensure a peace deal will not succeed while it supports the government on the ground

U.S. Eyes Syrian Air Base, Kurdish Forces Overshadow Arabs in Raqqa Plans

As the battle for Raqqa city draws closer, a rebel spokesperson laments Kurdish domination of upcoming operations, also predicting that American forces will remain in Raqqa for years at the airbase they seized from ISIS last week, Alsouria Net writes

Syria’s War Economy Gives Birth to Inventive Trades

Circumventing a formal economy that does little to lift them out of poverty, citizens have adapted to new, innovative and sometimes dangerous methods to supplement a lost livelihood in times of financial hardship, Souriatna explains

Former Tabqa Dam Engineer Claims Collapse is Imminent

Despite statements from Western-backed forces that the damaged structure is not at risk of collapse, former workers stage press conference warning of huge destruction that could affect millions in the Euphrates Valley area, opposition outlet Zaman al-Wasl reports

Tit-for-Tat Kidnappings Push Tensions to the Brink in Syria’s South

With a recent surge in mutual kidnappings in Daraa and Suweida reaching a tipping point, culminating in the recent torture and murder of a young man, community leaders are being urged to intervene to end the strife before it threatens to unravel the southern region

Sulaiman Pushes Opposition Spectra on Visions for a Future Syria

Opposition figure and Syrian personality says he has tasked delegations at Geneva with providing their take on four key issues, including governance, the constitution, elections and security, also adding that meetings with Kurdish and women’s groups were successful

Arms Dealers See Peace as Bad for Business in Northern Syria

With fighting slowing on a number of fronts in Syria’s north, weapons traders face a sharp drop in arms prices as new players enter the market, bringing with them a surplus of stock, Iqtissad reports

Ahrar al-Sham Fighters Shoot Down Helicopter in Lattakia

Fate of crew remains unknown after key rebel group claims responsibility for hitting a possible regime helicopter near the Suffiyat area in Kurds Mountain, opposition media Zaman al-Wasl reports

20,000 Syrian Families Eligible for Turkish Citizenship: Deputy PM

Turkish deputy prime minister announces between 20,000 and 22,000 families have been identified to obtain citizenship, opposition website Alsouria Net reports, adding that about 35,000 refugees have so far returned to their homes in northern Syria after Turkish-backed forces cleared the area of ISIS militants