The Assad regime is scrambling to receive assurances from allies and make sense of U.S. policy after the Trump administration’s surprise strike on a Syrian air base. But Damascus is failing to see that rules of the game have already changed, Yahya Al-Aridi writes for opposition outlet All4Syria
Russian foreign minister tells European counterpart that Moscow will continue to move ahead with plans for a peaceful political solution through U.N.-approved channels, despite efforts by some players to evade negotiations in favor for regime change in Syria
Speaking to Zaman al-Wasl, the opposition figure explains that the stances of international and regional states toward the Assad regime have changed since the chemical attack in Idleb’s countryside on April 4
Opposition outlet Ain al-Medina reports on the preparations for the upcoming battle for control of Tabqa, explaining that around 650 ISIS fighters are holed up inside the city awaiting close-range fighting with the Western-backed forces
Unnamed source claims Walid al-Muallem told U.S. official that Syria cannot be held accountable for killing civilians as long as America is responsible for civilian deaths in ISIS-held Mosul, opposition website Zaman al-Wasl reports
Syrian president addresses his ruling Baath Party during committee meeting, calling for placing greater importance on helping the party adapt to a changing society and attracting younger members, state media reports
Assad’s top political and media advisor speaks to Lebanese television, framing the U.S. strike in the scope of CIA efforts to punish Damascus, claiming that the attack on the base came in the wake of victories by government forces against terror groups, state media reports
Opposition members and activists decry the forced relocation of thousands of civilians from the “four Syrian towns” as part of a negotiation deal to release kidnapped Qatari businessmen, Paula Istih writes for Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat
Led by the United States, an international consensus has finally formed that the rule of the Assad family has reached its end, but Syrians must understand that the battle is not yet over, writes Walid al-Bunni for All4Syria
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
