BY DAN DE LUCE, PAUL MCLEARY ( Foreign Policy )- A U.S. air raid against Iranian-backed fighters in southern Syria last week represents a volatile new phase of the conflict that could trigger a wider confrontation between the United States and Iran — and their allies on the ground....

( SNHR )- On February 18, 2017, the Syrian regime initiated an extensive military campaign against the opposition-held parts of Damascus’s eastern neighborhoods (Mainly al Qaboun and Tishreen neighborhoods), in which “Pheel” rockets, mortar shells, and chemical weapons were used. ...

(The Daily Star)- Lebanese General Security on Monday announced the arrest of a Syrian charged with the selling of military weapons and munitions to militants in northeast Lebanon. Following his arrest, the alleged weapons trader, identified by his initials T.Z., admitted to smuggling...

Syrian government warplanes struck rebel outposts near the Jordanian border early Tuesday, rebels said, bringing the war closer to Syria's U.S.-allied neighbour to the south. The airstrikes, at around 3 a.m. (0000 GMT) were the first near that part of the border, a Jordanian official said....