Souriatna chronicles the 150-year history of Chechen migration to northern Syria from the time of Hadji Murad through Ottoman, French and Baathist rule
Washington aims to limit Tehran’s political weight and break the line of Iranian influence by engaging in deal-making with Russia, Ibrahim Hamidi writes for Saudi-owned newspaper
President Assad’s political and media adviser writes in loyalist Al-Watan that recent U.S. military action in Syria is part of a century-old plan to fracture the unity of the Arab world
Russian military website confirms renewed tensions between Syrian army forces and allied Iranian-backed militias in the south, opposition media writes
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
Talks between Russia’s deputy foreign minister and Syrian envoy highlight importance of safe zone plan and reconstruction phase to alleviate suffering of civilians
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
As the U.N.’s third envoy to the crisis, de Mistura’s efforts have largely focused on accommodating the Assad regime and Russia at the expense of the Syrian opposition, Walid al-Kuwatly 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
Assad regime bombards Kafr Laha with vacuum bombs, killing a woman and injuring others, opposition website reports
Recordings of Russian pilot intercepted during bombing carried out in eastern Homs countryside, opposition outlet reports
Anonymous source tells Russian media that air drop may have fallen into ISIS-held areas because of delay in opening of parachutes, opposition outlet writes
Damascus mobilizes forces to desert region in attempt to prevent U.S.-backed rebels from making further gains in the area, opposition outlet reports
Russia says violations were carried out by Nusra Front and ISIS militants in the countryside of the capital and along the Syrian coast, government outlet reports
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
Russian FM tells U.S. president that America could play key role in preserving security inside proposed safe zones, Syrian government media reports
Around 400 rebel fighters and 640 families leave the rebel stronghold on buses for the Turkish border as part of a forced relocation deal, opposition website reports
Army’s chief of staff takes part in celebration held by Russian forces on the 72nd anniversary of the victory over Nazism, government media reports
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
Over 280 medical centers were destroyed and 150 staff members killed in 2016, according to Syrian interim government report
