Although the successes of Astana can not be ignored, says Walid al-Bunni, real solutions should not be expected until ISIS and Nusra are kicked from Syrian soil
The embattled city risks a split in its social fabric as fighting between the regime and ISIS separates residents along political lines, Enab Balad writes
Russian foreign minister says operations by the U.S. and other anti-ISIS coalition partners without Assad’s consent is violation of Syrian territory, official media reports
Raid followed reports of a joint Russian-Syrian air defense system which aims to control western air space, opposition website reports
After facing further displacement, newcomers to the mountain region have been warmly welcomed by locals for the religious holiday, Zaman al-Wasl writes
Islamic State fighters to leave Qalamoun region as part of cease-fire agreement reached with Hezbollah, official media reports
Writing for the Saudi-owned outlet, Hamidi says the Russian-led cease-fire plan will fail if not followed by political efforts aimed at unity instead of division
Rebel leader accuses ISIS and Hezbollah of coordinating to advance in FSA-held areas near the Lebanese border, Zaman al-Wasl writes
Assad forces split their fighting fronts in Syria’s central regions, practically encircling ISIS forces in the area, Enab Baladi reports
In televised address, Hezbollah’s general-secretary hails efforts by Lebanese forces to ensure the defeat of Syria-based terror groups
Editor of Saudi-owned Okaz newspaper Abdullah al-Ghadawi claims that Washington and Moscow have come to share similar visions for the future of Syria
Writing for Qatari-owned Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Adnan Abdel Razzaq draws a comparison between the displacement of rebels to Idleb and the US testing of the MOAB bomb in Afghanistan
Opposition attempts to legitimize loyal force as Russian-backed safe zones see the Coalition increasingly sidelined in political decisions
Lebanese official describes plan to exchange eight Hezbollah prisoners for thousands of refugees as ‘forced displacement,’ opposition website reports
Abdulrahman Mustafa says support from international community not essential in order for Syrians to hold Assad to account, opposition media office reports
Assad’s failure to secure the areas he retakes will be the opposition’s last hope in gaining public support, a former media executive writes for Saudi-owned newspaper
A young refugee, whose only crime was to cross paths with members of the Lebanese Army as he returned home from work, has been killed under torture, opposition website Zaman al-Wasl says
Human rights lawyer and former political prisoner says the fight against terrorism has become a cover for the powerful to hide their violations, All4Syria writes
Negotiations between main players appear to confirm Iranian forces will be kept away from Syria’s south, as per Jordanian and U.S. demands, Alsouria Net writes
Key officials claim refugees will only be returned through U.N. avenues, recalling crimes of the Syrian regime during its occupation of Lebanon, Saudi-owned newspaper reports
