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
Idlib sees new escalation between Syrian government, opposition forces Government forces escalated tensions on the battlefronts in Idlib in response to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham targeting the town of Kassab in the Latakia countryside after installing a statue of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. Syria
Russia, Iran won't endorse Turkish military operation in Syria At the latest Astana Group meeting on Syria, Russia and Iran tried to soothe Turkey by rejecting the Kurdish-led self-rule in northern Syria in a joint declaration this week. Russia
Kurdish, Syrian, Iranian forces coordinate ahead of Turkish operation Kurdish units and Iranian-affiliated factions in Syria have formed a joint operations room under Russian supervision to counter a possible Turkish military operation in northern Syria. Syria
Senior Islamic State leader detained in US raid in Syria A senior IS leader was detained by US-led forces during a pre-dawn raid in northern Syria on Thursday. Syria
Israel puts Syria on notice over Iran According to foreign reports, Israel is increasing its offensive activities in Syria against Iran-related targets. Israel
Turkish-backed factions form military councils in north Syria ahead of possible Turkish operation The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army factions are getting ready to manage Tal Rifaat and Manbij in the countryside of Aleppo after expelling the Kurdish forces following an expected Turkish military operation. Syria
Syrian opposition bans wheat exports in response to food crisis The Syrian opposition’s interim government is trying to prevent the smuggling of strategic crops, namely wheat, from its areas of control, amid a global food crisis resulting from the Ukraine war. Syria
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham holds massive military maneuvers in Idlib The Syrian jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is boosting readiness in anticipation of new government offensive. Syria
Does Erdogan have a green light from Russia to move into Syria? The US and Iran oppose the planned Turkish operation, as Erdogan digs in further on Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids, and warns Greece on the Aegean Islands. Turkey
Iran, Turkey brace for face-off in Syria Iran has been trying to dissuade Turkey from a fresh intervention in Syria while making military preparations on the ground to protect its interests amid a growing rift between the two neighbors. Iran
Turkish-backed forces step up military drills ahead of potential operation in northern Syria Free Syrian Army factions are holding major military drills and parades to beef up their combat readiness to take part in the Turkish military operation against Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Syria
