The war over Raqqa between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and the Islamic State group has resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians who have to fend for themselves amidst rising food prices and forced conscription
The two warring Syrian sides do not have the power to reject or obstruct any peace deal and the position of the new US administration on Syria will determine whether the Geneva talks will be successful
Opposition delegation head Nasr al-Hariri tells reporters that the negotiations must prioritize the issue of political transition and that Iran represents the biggest obstacle to any peace deal
ISIS militants are still present in parts of the town and the rebels are in control of less than half of it
De Mistura must try and unite the opposition delegations if the Geneva talks are to be successful, and any future solution will require UN member states to stop funding terrorism and collaborate with the Syrian government, writes Samer Dahi for loyalist Al-Watan
Syrian refugee women in Jordan’s Zaatari Camp try to survive their terrible circumstances by selling homemade food and other handmade products to feed their families’ needs
Regime warplanes launched 15 air raids and dropped six barrel bombs on al-Manshiya neighborhood in Daraa, intensifying clashes and forcing schools to close, opposition outlet reports
The Special Committee on Decolonization re-elects Bashar al-Jaafari as its rapporteur, SANA reports
Syrian businesses in Turkey flourish and start to compete with their Turkish counterparts, creating job opportunities and raising wages for thousands of families
De Mistura expresses reservations over success of Geneva 4 if a political solution is not reached and states that US position is still unknown
The Syrian Coalition demands that the UN deliver airdrops to besieged neighborhoods after aid convoy was attacked and looted by pro-regime militants
Restrictions by ISIS and the Syrian regime as well as severe exploitation by pharmaceuticals dealers have resulted in a terrible health situation in Deir-ez-Zor
Pro-government newspaper reports more civilian deaths, including women and children, in continued Turkish assault on Al-Bab
Syrian army evacuates 170 rebel fighters from Sarghaya as reconciliation deals continue in the Damascus countryside
Syrians face increasing challenges in educating their children in Turkish schools after the government’s decision to enforce the Turkish curriculum for different grades
The decline of Iran’s dominance is inevitable due to its diverging interests with Russia in Syria and the emergence of an American policy shift
Abbas says that only the Syrian people can approve an amendment to the constitution through a popular referendum, pro-government newspaper reports
Abdah says during panel discussion in Munich that terrorism and war crimes will continue as long as Assad holds on to power
A number of al-Baath Brigades have been formed from university students, and more are currently recruiting volunteers
What the return of Hafez Assad’s statue to Hama on the 35th anniversary of its destruction by Hafez Assad means for the fate of the Syrian people
