Syria’s Shibani visits Latakia airport to review Russia deal progress: What to know Syria is seeking to ensure that the August deal to turn Russian facilities in the country into joint training centers is implemented. Syria
Lebanon charges 5 in alleged Hezbollah operation to train Assad loyalists A Lebanese military court has charged the five, including an Assad-era Syrian officer and Hezbollah members, with running a cross-border security network planning attacks in Syria’s coastal region. Lebanon
Former Assad official sentenced to 60 years in US for torture Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud. Syria
Culture Syrian singer Assala returns to Damascus stage after 15-year exile The Syrian star, one of the Arab world’s most famous artists, had been in self-exile since 2011 after she openly supported the uprising against the since-ousted Assad government. Syria
Germany detains Syrian man accused of Yarmouk grenade attack The suspect, identified only as Mouafak AI D, is charged with the murder of seven people in the Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus. Syria
Intel: US-led coalition reaffirms support for prisons holding IS fighters in northeast Syria The coalition commander called the Syrian Kurdish fighters' achievements against the Islamic State "astounding" and reaffirmed international support. Syria
Iran's Revolutionary Guards dig tunnels in city of Palmyra Syrian opposition sources report that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is digging trenches in the city of Palmyra to reinforce the group's presence in the area. Syria
More women prisoners linked to Islamic State released from al-Hol camp The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces continue to empty al-Hol camp of Islamic State-affiliated Syrians. Syria
Fighting between government, rebels intensifies in Syria's Daraa The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said eight government-affiliated forces and three opposition fighters died in the clashes Thursday. Syria
US sanctions on Turkey-backed Syria faction offer solace to Kurdish victims It remains to be seen what practical and immediate effect Wednesday's sanctions will have. Syria
Syrian jihadi group in Idlib boasts about new, advanced weapons Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader has recently boasted about his group’s growing weapons arsenal and military capabilities, as the Syrian government forces escalate their attacks on Idlib. Syria
The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic Also: United States, Iraq stay focused on Islamic State; Gulf eyes solar energy; Russia’s Syria policy puzzles Israel; Afghan refugees trigger backlash in Turkey; Erdogan puts spotlight on Cyprus ghost town. Tunisia
US unveils Syria sanctions targeting regime prisons, rebel group The wave of sanctions targets eight military prisons, including the notorious Saydnaya prison outside the capital Damascus that rights groups have described as a “human slaughterhouse.” Syria
Israeli woman who crossed into Syria handed 8-month jail sentence The unidentified woman was released in February in a swap deal reportedly brokered by Syria's main ally Russia. News Brief
Syria blames Israel for destruction of evidence in Douma chemical attack The UN's chemical weapons watchdog warned Syria's government not to move or tamper with the gas canisters recovered at Douma. Syria
Iranian forces in Syria establish new prison in Raqqa Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is redeploying and building new bases and prisons in its areas of control in northeastern Syria after coming under repeated Israeli and US airstrikes. Syria
