Coalition president responds to announcement of declaration, which aims to form a reserve army of 34,000 troops to back counterterrorism operations
Russian experts claim Moscow must decide whether to cut and run or double down, as attack may be another indication of a shift in American policy toward Syria
Civilian deaths recorded as Western-backed forces reach final stages of their push to liberate the eastern countryside from the hard-line group, opposition website reports
Iranian companies qualified to carry out oil projects inside Syria, Tehran’s envoy to Damascus tells Syrian resources minister
In the wake of Khan Sheikhoun, U.S. statements this week exposing the Syrian regime for covering-up its abuses were intended as yet another warning to Assad, Russia and Iran, Walid al-Bunni writes
Writing for loyalist newspaper Al-Watan, Maysoun Youssef says the U.S. is likely using the Geneva negotiations to forward their own version of the Russian-proposed ‘de-escalation zones’ deal
We should be wary of placing too much hope on the outcome of the most recent Astana talks, as the three previous rounds in the Kazakh capital produced little results, Walid al-Bunni writes
Some U.N. members remain skeptical of plan as Security Council prepares to meet in closed session to debate specifics of the deal, Saudi-owned newspaper reports
New Coalition president backs opposition negotiators in demands for the formation of a transitional government, the removal of Assad and the prosecution of war criminals
Abdulnasser Al-Ayed explains that for Russia’s ‘safe zone’ proposal to work, Moscow will need to consider U.S. concerns despite attempts to sideline Washington in the Syrian peace process
Munzer Eid laments the decision by the U.S. president to include Saudi Arabia among the destinations for his first foreign trip, in piece for loyalist newspaper Al-Thawra
Rebel leader Abou Ammar says the international community’s disregard for Tehran and Moscow’s role in Syria will result in an expansion of the conflict beyond Syria’s borders, Alsouria Net writes
Russian-sponsored deal will involve the forced relocation of around 8,000 people to Idleb and Aleppo provinces, opposition outlet writes
Saudi-owned Al-Hayat reports rebel delegation approves plan but chooses to walk out of negotiations in protest at Assad regime’s continued bombardment of opposition areas
Russian-authored memorandum will enforce weapons-free zones in four areas of the country in order to restore infrastructure and services while allowing for the return of displaced people
Serving as a battleground for countless foreign and ideological belligerents, the greatest danger facing Syria is the fragmentation and polarization of its society, Walid al-Bunni writes
Russian delegation also holds bilateral meetings in the Kazakh capital with Iranians and the United States, Syrian state media reports
Armed opposition gives preliminary approval of Russian plan involving the establishment of “tension reduction” zones in Idleb province, north of Homs city, Eastern Ghouta and the country’s south
Opposition website speaks to source who claims first batch of detainees – which include those sentenced for violent crimes – will be sent to fight on the Deir-ez-Zor front against ISIS
Gen. Ali Abdullah Ayoub says Iran, Russia and Hezbollah are the only forces who can foil the conspiracy against Syria, government outlet reports
