Kurdish-Arab alliance readies for the takeover of ISIS’ self-styled capital in Syria’s northeast, as the Western-backed forces look to completely cut off Raqqa from surrounding areas before its liberation, Saudi-owned Al-Hayat reports
U.N. head says organization will work to limit the impact of recent U.S. strike and violence in Aleppo and Idleb on any upcoming political talks, Syrian state media reports
UNSC Resolution 2254 is the only plan to settle crisis in Syria and covers all aspects of a peaceful solution, Russian foreign minister tells journalists during press conference in the breakaway republic of Abkhazia, Syrian state media reports
With many beginning their work in coordination councils around the country, large numbers of activists have upskilled in a move aimed at providing professional coverage of the Syrian crisis in a place where most foreign outlets cannot, opposition outlet Enab Baladi writes
Opposition outlet Zaman al-Wasl reports on deaths of 15 civilians, mostly women and children, adding that the bombing by regime warplanes was carried out with incendiary bombs such as white phosphorus
Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat explains that many opposition factions are still deciding whether to participate in the talks in the Kazakh capital, claiming that some parties believe Russia isn’t pulling its weight in enforcing the cease-fire deal
It will be up to the armies of Syria, Iraq and Russia to defend the interests of their people by preventing the breakup of Middle Eastern geography for benefit of Western energy interests, Ali Hashem writes for pro-regime Al-Watan
The former opposition leader speaks with Zaman al-Wasl about the shift in U.S. policy following this month’s gas attack, explaining that the Trump administration has since ended any chance of cooperation with the Assad regime in the battle against ISIS
Government news outlet quotes minister during meeting with Western journalists as saying terrorism and major media outlets are attempting to reshape the discourse of events in Syria, specifically in regards to the recent U.S. strike on the Khan Sheikhoun air base earlier this month
Donald Trump’s decision to strike the Shayrat base earlier this month was less about changing the balance of power in Syria, but instead represented a nod to his domestic rivals showing his willingness to act as a strong and decisive leader, Abdel Moneim Ali Eissa writes for loyalist outlet Al-Watan
Trump had to send a message to all parties supporting Assad that he won’t just resort to Syrian talks but will be part of the joint offensives in Syria, Tariq Alhomayed writes
During Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s first trip to Moscow, Russian president slams U.S. for act of aggression on Syrian territory, calling last week’s strike a violation of international law, government news agency reports
Opposition outlet Zaman al-Wasl reports that Kurdish forces are targeting Arab residents of Syria’s northern region in campaigns of discrimination and forced displacement, amid rapid advances by the Western-backed forces against ISIS positions in the area
Russian military would respond with direct action in the event its units are threatened in Syria, Duma defense committee deputy tells Russian media in a warning to the Trump administration
Al-Hayat columnist Ibrahim Hamidi highlights four observations in the aftermath of the first American strike on Syrian army positions, explaining that the coming days will show which of two tracks will be taken by Russian and the U.S. in response — military escalation between the two superpowers, or a renewed interest in a military-political agreement
Activists report numerous attacks on the rebel-held province over recent days, likely in response to last week’s missile attack by U.S. forces on a Syrian air base, opposition outlet Zaman al-Wasl writes
Iranian president rejects U.S. actions a blatant violation of sovereignty, following Friday’s attack on a Syrian air base in Homs province, opposition website reports
Vladimir Putin is a game-maker and a surprise-organizer. His counterpart in the Oval Office wants to be too
Well informed sources claim authorities are keeping humanitarian groups under surveillance after the government stopped operations of 370 NGOs for alleged ties to terrorism, including some major international organizations, opposition Sada al-Sham writes
Civilians voice concern over increased air campaigns against residential areas as witnesses report white phosphorus attacks in the hours after the U.S. cruise missile strike on a Syrian air base, opposition website Alsouria Net writes
