Does the fall of the ISIS-held town of Dabiq to Western-backed forces signal the end of the radical Islamist group, and could its legacy live on following its possible demise?
Trump symbolically and practically has given a green light to finish off Aleppo city, and he has become, along with Obama, partners with Putin in the most horrific stage the city has endured in its long history, writes Abdel Wahab Bedarkhan
After nearly six years, and due to the complexities and overlaps of international actors and players – regionally and internally – it became clear that the strings are no longer pulled by the Syrians or even regional states as the conflict has mutated into score-settling between super powers, chiefly the US and Russia
The push by Assad and his allies to achieve decisive victories before the end of Obama’s term, and the beginning of an unpredictable Trump presidency, could explain the brutality which they are employing against Aleppo, the Damascus countryside, and the eastern and western Ghoutas
Damascus has rejected a proposal from Moscow to host a broad conference for the Syrian opposition with “Russia’s guarantees” aiming to form an expanded opposition coalition ahead of possible peace negotiations in Geneva
Key opposition leader discusses with French FM ways to lift the blockade of Syrian towns and cities by regime forces and Iranian-backed militias
Confusion heads political expectations worldwide, with cautious optimism and wishful thinking being shared between the current US administration, Russia, Iran and Assad, as concrete details around what a Trump presidency would look like remain unclear
Opposition negotiators trying to spare the area what happened in other areas, like Daraya and Moadamiya, especially given that the regime is trying to take control of the southern countryside of Damascus
Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Tuesday Damascus would have to “wait and see” if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would change Washington’s policy on Syria but that he was ready to cooperate with him in fighting militants. Following is the full text, as published in SANA
Despite the president-elect’s promises to withdraw American power from the region and revert to a more isolationist strategy, history shows us that major changes in US foreign policy rarely occur with the rotation of presidential administrations, writes Eyyad al-Jaafari
Meetings touched on the prospect of a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to eastern and western Aleppo, according to a UN statement
An increase in state repression and random violence has contributed to the spread of “war commanders” and the occurrence of a coup in social segments to the benefit of the emerging “new guard” of businessmen
Opposition says found munitions are instead evidence of the Assad regime’s collusion in the use of internationally-banned weapons
Representatives meet in Syrian capital to discuss regional situation and enhancing bilateral relations
Economic support from friends like Iran and Russia has bolstered efforts by Syrians’ to fight terrorism for over six years, says Syrian deputy FM
Despite the implementation of the “four cities” agreement, it is not possible to compare — in any sense at all — the siege of Zabadani and Madaya which are under opposition control, and the siege of Kefraya and Foua which are under the control of the regime and its militias
Bashar al-Assad told Serbian newspaper Politika the US’ “secret collaboration with terrorists is the reason why all attempts at a ceasefire and political transition in Syria have so far failed.” Following is the full text of the interview as published by SANA, the official news agency.
The issue that is difficult to find a clear explanation for so far is the reduction in the intensity of the bombardment. Is there something threatening the Russian aircraft? Or is Putin sending a message to the Iranians after the dispute that erupted between them that they will lose without his support?
One of the most likely reason’s for Russia’s announcement to halt raids on Aleppo may be that Moscow has begun to sense the weight of international pressure upon it, and has begun to resent the situation of international embarrassment which the developments in Aleppo have caused
Islamic State retreat occurred quietly and quickly, leaving a vacuum for the regime and its allies to take control of in a number of areas in the provincial countryside
