Friction heats up between Russia, Israel over downed aircraft

Jerusalem is worried that the conflict with Moscow caused by the downing of a Russian jet in Syria will paralyze IDF activities and enable Iran to transfer arms to Hezbollah.

Israel

Damascus puts on elections while Russia is busy with geopolitics

While Moscow has been busy with the situation in Idlib, Damascus has held municipal elections, where its candidates won.

Syria

Fate of jailed Kurdish leader questioned as Turkey shuns peace

As a showdown looms in Idlib between Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed opposition rebels, Ankara faces the prospect of further turmoil, while long-stalled Turkish-Kurdish talks seem unlikely to be revived nearly 20 years after Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan was jailed.

Syria

Plane shot down over Syria puts Russia-Israel relations to the test

A Russian plane downed by Syrian missiles responding to an Israeli strike has strained relations between Moscow and Tel Aviv and sent both sides into crisis-management mode.

Israel

Idlib still wary of attack despite Turkish-Russian agreement

Despite the Turkish-Russian agreement on a buffer zone in Idlib, the opposition-held city is preparing for an attack by the regime.

Syria

Syrian girl’s Twitter account accused of Western propaganda

Russia has accused the West of manipulating the Twitter account of a six-year-old girl from Idlib, who is posting about the suffering of children in the province ahead of an imminent regime offensive.

Syria

Erdogan scores diplomatic wins in meetings with Putin, Merkel

Despite negative portrayals of President Erdogan, he has been successful in his recent diplomatic efforts.

Syria

Russia gives Turkey one last month for solution in Syria

Ankara has won some breathing room in Syria, having one month to persuade radical forces to give up their guns, leave Idlib, join a Turkish-backed rebel alliance or face a crushing assault by the Syrian regime supported by Russian forces.

Syria

Villages overwhelmed as Idlib's displaced head for Turkish border

Thousands of civilians are fleeing their homes in Idlib as the Syrian regime, backed by Russia, bombs the area ahead of a ground offensive.

Syria

What Putin-Erdogan deal means for Idlib

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hammered out a deal on "demilitarizing" Idlib that both parties seem to be content with — yet serious political and military challenges persist.

Syria

Turkey, Russia agree to buffer zone in Syria’s Idlib

Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan said they will create a demilitarized zone to separate rebels from Syrian forces in what Turkey believes will prevent an attack on the opposition stronghold.

Syria

Turkey nabs bombing suspect amid Idlib effort – is it a coincidence?

Turkey’s capture of the alleged mastermind of the 2013 Reyhanli bombing — the biggest Syria-related injury it has suffered — had intriguing timing, coinciding with Ankara’s efforts to prevent a regime offensive on Idlib.

Syria