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
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
The Special Committee on Decolonization re-elects Bashar al-Jaafari as its rapporteur, SANA reports
De Mistura expresses reservations over success of Geneva 4 if a political solution is not reached and states that US position is still unknown
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
Syrians face increasing challenges in educating their children in Turkish schools after the government’s decision to enforce the Turkish curriculum for different grades
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
The Trump administration’s opposition to the US-Iranian nuclear agreement is not shared by its allies among European countries and in the UN
State news agency SANA reports US-led air strikes destroy al-Meghle Bridge north of Raqqa, leaving the al-Jazira region completely isolated
Syrian opposition leader reiterates that the upcoming round of Geneva talks should focus on the issue of political transition in Syria
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad denied Amnesty reports on mass killing in a Syrian prison and said President Donald Trump’s ban on Syrians targeted terrorists, not the Syrian people. Below is the full interview he gave to French TF1 TV and EUROPE 1 Radio as appeared in SANA, the Syrian news agency
In light of the continued search for unified representation, Syrians must learn from Arab and international experiences that strong leadership does not always lead to dictatorship, Ahmed Aisha writes for opposition outlet All4Syria
Opposition is sticking to its position that Assad can have no role in the transition, saying “the heavy price paid by the Syrian people” would have been wasted if he remained in power
Ground and aerial bombardment of Al-Bab city kills scores including women and children, government news outlet SANA reports, following the latest phase of the Euphrates Shield operation against ISIS
Turkey’s numerous transgressions, as well as the late arrival of its delegation to the meetings, proves its lack of seriousness and “clear will” to hinder dialogue, state media quotes Syrian government envoy as saying
