The Russian influence has resulted in preventing the “Syrian Democratic Forces” from advancing toward al-Shadadi, an oil-rich region, and turning to fight the Islamic State along the fronts of the Aleppo countryside.
“Various dates have been named, but the final decision will be made by the Secretary General of the UN on the advice and recommendations of Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura,” he added.
Russia “is insistent on dragging names into the list of the Syrian opposition delegation to the Geneva negotiations, with the aim of derailing the talks and gaining time to improve its allies’ military position.”
Moscow’s insistence on imposing Russian standards on the climate of the negotiations before they have begun could to a large degree obstruct the peace talks from being held at the scheduled time
Rebel forces seize towns of Alqamiya, Yani Yaban and Zeraa following heavy fighting on Sunday
Ministry tells UN that massacre in suburb of Begayliya would not have occurred without the constant support of certain states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey
UN-brokered deal to see hundreds of Islamic State fighters replaced with Free Syrian Army in the suburb of Hajer al-Aswad
The haze surrounding the Syrian issue has led to many overstatements by political analysts, politicians, and even ordinary Syrians, both in relation to the fears and dangers threatening Syria, and to the hopes of Syrians
Saturday’s deadly air raids target al-Sakhour marketplace and northern town of Ma’rasset al-Khan
Work is underway to approve a customs exemption agreement in the coming days, says Russian parliamentarian
Upcoming meeting between top Russian and US diplomats will explore Syrian political settlement in an “objective and comprehensive way”, says ministry spokesperson
Terrorism has spread to the states that have been supporting it for five years, Syrian foreign minister tells reporters in India
Russian deputy foreign minister discusses launching political process with representatives of the opposition on sidelines of tripartite Russia-US-UN meeting
Syrian foreign minister arrives in New Delhi for talks on boosting bilateral relations with India
President Assad says Syria remains steadfast after five years of turmoil thanks to Iranian and Russian aid
Scores dead and at least 100 others injured as Russian warplanes target city courthouse and prison
The UN’s proposed peace talks are hardly the result of a genuine desire to stop the killings. Instead, they are meant to create the illusion that the international community has now reached a consensus on Syria. This is patently untrue
I Have the Right to Learn campaign aims to help thousands of children without access to education in the eastern suburbs of Damascus
The US retreat from the Middle East, Russian expansionism in the region, and an increase in Tehran’s influence in Syria and the region has led the pro-Assad camp to dominate the Syrian file as we witness a decline of other influential regional and international players from the scene
In May 2011, following Syria’s popular uprising, around 1,500 detainees were released from the country’s most notorious prisons under presidential decree. Four of these detainees would later go on to form some of Syria’s most radical Islamist factions, and fundamentally change the course of the revolution
