Prisoners refuse to be freed on the condition they join a voluntary brigade of a pro-regime militia to fight ISIS in the eastern Homs countryside
At least 70 ISIS fighters killed in the recapture of the northern border town by Western-backed forces, says spokesman
Militants attack border city of Tal Abyad with heavy shelling from inside Turkey, Russian military source announces
Around 400 to 500 fighters have crossed the border, a Turkish security source confirmed
United Nations bid to hold talks hampered by diplomatic failure as fighting intensifies on the ground between regime forces and rebels in a number of areas
An empowered Moscow, with its military presence and its “perpetual” military accord, has forced its interlocutors — including the Americans — to make one of two choices: a mixed opposition list; or two delegations, one the “Russian list,” and the other the “Riyadh list”
“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.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, warns that bombing will increase the risk of terrorist attacks by sleeper cells in Europe unless there is a concerted effort to destroy ISIS on the ground. The following is the full text of the interview, as published by SANA.
President Assad says terrorists are flocking from over 100 countries around the world to Syria, in an effort to transform the country into a hub for terrorism
As the Syrian regime embraces the “Russian protection”, it finally becomes ready to engage in arbitration and partnership without the fear of being forced to divide its power
Russia is engaging in a tacit competition with Iran – especially amid talks about the impending creation of a regional and international “contact group” after America’s ratification of the Iran deal next month
Assad’s regime even boasts that Moscow’s decision to hunker down demonstrates the strength of bilateral relations
A source at the Russian embassy in Tehran stated that the embassy received permission for all requests by Russian planes carrying humanitarian aid to Syria to pass through Iran’s airspace
According to UAE Today newspaper, the total value of Syrian investments was approximately AED 6.5 billion, followed by Palestinians and Saudis who traded AED 5.7 billion and AED 5.2 billion each in Dubai
Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations is preparing a report on the impact of Syrian immigration in 18 states of Turkey
Putin says he is providing Syria with serious support, including equipment and weapons training
ISIS discontinued the economic life cycles in the areas under its control, monopolized businesses such as oil refineries and internet cafes
The price of a gram of 21-carat gold recorded 9,800 Syrian Pounds, 50 pounds less than the previous week
The loss of an exemplary opportunity to give Obama a Middle Eastern dimension that matches the other aspects of his policies
Assad has given a lengthy interview to Hezbollah’s channel al-Manar. Below is the interview as translated and published by SANA, the Syrian official news agency
