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https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/29/politics/trump-withdraw-syria-pentagon/index.html

https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/donald-trump-wants-out-of-syria-israel-thinks-that-s-a-problem-1.5976689
On 29th of March 2018, President Trump in a speech declared that the US will be withdrawing from Syria, "very soon". Citing the near defeat of ISIS as the reason for the withdrawal.
Daniel Shaprio a former ambassador of the US to Israel stated that Trump's announcement has created turmoil in Israel, as Israel fears that an ISIS defeat whilst wanted would leave in place Iran an enemy of Israel. While just the presence of the US gives Israel more power in the region as it demonstrates that the US still supports Israel.

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May 25th

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Syrian War Report – May 25, 2018: Israeli, US Strikes On Government Forces. What Is Going On?

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On March the 5th 2018 UN inter-agencies attempted to deliver assistance to those in rebel besieged Eastern Ghouta. However, the agency had to turn back after unloading all the supplies due to the increasing violence and shelling. The agency was attempting to deliver food and medical supplies to 27,500 people.

Following this on March 6th the UN Sectary General called for all forces involved to implement resolution 2401 due to the increasing concern of shelling and attacks in the area.

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https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/executive-summaries/2018/03/27
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-syria-ghouta-france-turkey-afrin-manbij-sdf-ypg/29137804.html
On the 27th of March 2018, the largest single-day evacuation occurred in Eastern Ghouta. A reported 6,749 people were evacuated including a 1,620 rebels. These evacuations mark the third consecutive day of rebels and civilians being evacuated with Russia facilitating the evacuations on a deal which was announced on Friday.
Russia has reported that since March 20th 41,000 rebels have been evacuated from Eastern Ghouta.

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http://sn4hr.org/blog/2018/04/01/51778/
The Syrian Network for Human Rights released a report that 1,241 civilians were killed in March 2018. 68 percent of these deaths reportedly occurred in Eastern Ghouta.

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http://www.newsweek.com/isis-drops-human-bomb-graphic-execution-footage-russia-syria-close-907789

The Islamic State militant group, ISIS has created a human bomb from a captured Syrian soldier. The terrorist group released images of a man being dropped off a building while wrapped in explosives. This brutal attack, highlights the group’s aim to create a climate of terror within the Syrian area and globally. The terror that this violent act naturally creates, is further spread through the distribution of photos across media outlets around the world. The video was released on pro ISIS social media accounts and was captioned, “The death of an element of the nasiri army south of Damascus.” The term “nasiri” refers to a religious minority group, Shiites, a religion that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a member of. This has often been the subject of propaganda published by ISIS.

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On the 26th of April 2018, suspected Israeli strikes killed 26 Iranian and Assad regime fighters. Israel targeted Iranian military bases in an attempt to hinder the military presence of Iran in Syria. Israeli Prime minister  Benjamin Netanyahu refused to comment on the strikes. Whilst Iran retracted earlier comments on the causality toll and stated no one was killed.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/30/iranians-killed-suspected-israeli-strike-syria/

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Exchanges between actors after the Douma attack. (1)

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Exchanges between actors after the Douma attack. (1)

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The following exchanges of messages show the differing opinions are beliefs surrounding the Douma chemical attack and the Syrian civil war more generally. It is clear that there are contrasting views and string alliances that play into the difficulties of the Syrian civil war.

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May 15th

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Syrian War Report – May 15, 2018: Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Fuels Syria Crisis

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/14/syria-air-strikes-us-uk-and-france-launch-attack-on-assad-regime

https://www.rt.com/op-ed/424186-us-allies-syria-lie/
A week after the Douma chemical weapons attack the U.S, Britain and France launched 103 missiles into Syria. The Pentagon stated that the attacks were aimed at 3 targets:  a scientific research center in Damascus, a chemical weapons storage facility west of Homs, and another storage site and command post nearby. The attacks took place the evening before the OPCW were set to visit Douma to investigate the chemical attack. On April 12th before the attacks commenced US Sectary of Defense James Mattis informed the House Armed Services Committee that the U.S government has no evidence that sarin or chlorine was used and that he was still looking for evidence. Throwing the legitimacy of the attacks into question.
Thus, Antonio Guterres the UN sectary general said he was watching the situation closely and informed the involved countries that they are obliged to act within international law.
Russia, China and Iran all condemned the attacks with Assad saying it would increase Syria's resolve to, " “fight and crush terrorism in every inch” of the country. "

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The United States has warned Syria as the regime is expected to target Deraa

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The United States has warned Syria as the regime is expected to target Deraa

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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/syria-de-escalation-zones-explained-170506050208636.html

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/us-issues-words-of-caution-as-syrian-regime-expected-to-target-deraa-1.734105

Reports in May 2018 explained how.a Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets over the southern province of Denaa. This act was said to be an offensive approach, as Denaa is expected to be among the next targets in the Asaad regime.

It has been recently reported by journalists working in the Deraa area, that some of the leaflets show graphic images of bodies lined up, most likely those of anti government fighters.

On Friday the 25th of May the US State Department released a statement that expressed the nation’s concern with the Syrian regime’s actions. The area in question was within the borders of the de-escalation zone that was established in 2017. The creation of the de-escalation zones was a deal aiming to reduce violence in Syria and end the civil war that is now in it’s eighth year. The plan involves the cessation of hostilities between the government and rebel groups.

Heather Nauert, a spokesperson for the US State department has said that “firm and appropriate measures” will be taken in response to the violations.

This suggests that the de-escalation program is not proving to reduce violence, but instead escalate tensions.

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President of Syria flies to Russia to meet with Putin   17th May 

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President of Syria flies to Russia to meet with Putin   17th May 

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It is the third time that Bashar al-Assad has visited Russia since the beginning of the Syrian war. He met with president Putin in his summer house in Sochi and the pair "reportedly discussed topics including progress in the Syrian conflict, re-establishing the political process, economic recovery and humanitarian efforts."
This not only highlights the strong relationship between the two but also shows how much support Russia has for Syria.

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On the 26th of April 2018 Russia and Syria presented witnesses to the OPCW (Organistion for the Prohibition of Chemical Wepons) to prove their claims that the Assad regime did not undertake in a chemical attack in response to the alleged April attacks. The witnesses they presented were from the videos of the chemical attack from groups such as the White Helmets. The witnesses said the videos were staged in what Russia’s Permanent Reprsentative to OPCW described as a, “sloppily staged video”. Britain and France hit back at these claims with France’s ambassador to the Netherlands labelling the claims an, “obscene masquerade”. Peter Wilson, Britain’s ambassador said that he and other western allies would not be attending the briefing.

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Bartlett, E 26th May 2018, https://www.facebook.com/EvaBoBeeva

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Life returns to the city of Deir ez-zor. 10 September 2017. 

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Life returns to the city of Deir ez-zor. 10 September 2017. 

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Life begins to return to the Syrian city of Deir ez-zor after a three year long siege by the Islamic State. The pro government city has been cut off from the rest of government controlled territory due to its location on the other side of the country deep within the self proclaimed borders of the Caliphate of the islamic State. After thee years and 2 months the Syrian Arab Army launched a successful offensive on the 10th September 2017 against the terrorists, allowing food and other necessary supplies to enter the city for the people who have been, in what amounts to an open air prison, for over three years.

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Back to normal life: Syria’s Deir ez-Zor recovers from siege (EXCLUSIVE)

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The influence of America in the lives pf Syrian refugees 

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The influence of America in the lives pf Syrian refugees 

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It is evident that the global super power, America, plays a vital role in the lives of civilians in vulnerable, war torn countries such as Syria.

This could not be more relevant to the lives of refugee families living in Syria, following the Trump administration’s decision to cut America’s donation to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The usual finding of US$125 million to $60 million a year has been widely condemned by the international community.

In an attempt to bridge the massive gap in funder the commissioner-general of UNRWA, Pierre Krahenbuhl began a fundraising camp in late January 2018 called #DignityIsPriceless. This funding is vital as the living conditions for refugees is Syria is dire, with some reports saying that refugees have fled out of fear of both ISIS fighters and members of the Syrian regime.
http://theconversation.com/palestinian-refugees-lament-as-trump-funding-cuts-create-job-insecurity-and-a-pension-crisis-93447

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Syrian Rebels practice "ISIS Style Execution" on prisoners. 

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Syrian Rebels practice "ISIS Style Execution" on prisoners. 

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A Palestinian refugee living in Syria was beheaded by Syrian opposition forces in a brutal video released online. This is just one of many such executions done by opposition forces. Fueling claims that they have close ties to groups like ISIS and Al-nusra front, groups the allied forces are currently fighting in Syria.

https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Palestinian-boy-said-shown-beheaded-in-Syrian-rebel-video-460905

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White Helmets' black record: 'Real Syrian civil defence groups describe them as terrorists'

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Foreign support for Opposition groups fighting in Syria, previously backed by the United States of America and other Allied forces, have been losing support both politically and financially as more and more reports showing the groups committing numerous war crimes have come to light. Crimes which would have received international outcry if committed by Assad only get a light slap on the wrist and a decrease in their allowance when it comes to America's bastions of democracy in Syria. This is a clear case of bias in western media and demonstrates how all actors in this conflict are expertly depicted to promote an agenda.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39126653

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2017-10-30/syrias-extremist-opposition

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Public figures stand up for violence against Palestine refugees in Syria- May 2018

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Public figures stand up for violence against Palestine refugees in Syria- May 2018

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There are a total of 560 000 Palestinian refugees in Syria who are all deeply impacted by the Syrian regime against ISIS and America's recent decision to reduce funding to the UN to assist those refugees in need.
https://twitter.com/GiGiHadid/status/996420206854656000

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Iraq carries out more air strikes against ISIS in Syria - May 2018

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Iraq carries out more air strikes against ISIS in Syria - May 2018

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http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/05/25/Iraq-carries-out-more-air-strikes-against-ISIS-in-Syria.html

This aerial operation is the third time air strikes had been carried out against ISIS from Iraq to Syria, since April 2018. A statement from the Iraq’s Operation Command sated that the raids were targeted at the headquarters of the ISIS terrorist group on the morning of Thursday 24th May. The ISIS headquarters, in Haijin, 50 kilometres form the Syrian border has been surrounded by Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish and Arab fighters back by the US and France, says Syrian Observatory director, Abdel Rahman.

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The terrorist group, ISIS was formed in April 2013 and grew from the jihadist group, al-Qaeda. The leader of the group is said to be Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who emerged in 2013. The Islamic State group gained global attention by taking over large parts of Syria and its government in a violent and brutal manner. ISiS has two overarching objectives, like any terrorist group. These are to create a climate of fear, not just in the Syrian region, but globally while creating a caliphate that straddles many parts of the Middle East.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24179084

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April 25th

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Syrian War Report – April 25, 2018: Russia Repels Drone Attack On Its Air Base In Syria

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Background of the rise ISIS and attack on Syria 

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Background of the rise ISIS and attack on Syria 

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Relevant to Syria after 2.50

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The rise of ISIS, explained in 6 minutes

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12 pro-government foreign fighters were killed in an airstrike overnight in the Dair Alzour province. Syrian state-run media blame the US for these strikes saying they were fighting Islamic State extremists.

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Muhammad is a 15-year-old boy living in the rebel-held eastern Ghouta. He has been using his social media accounts to capture and share what life is like as a civilian in the Syrian war.

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The 15-year-old documenting Eastern Ghouta massacre with selfie videos

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The 15-year-old documenting Eastern Ghouta massacre with selfie videos https://t.co/pIIIjRIdkZ

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The 15-year-old documenting Eastern Ghouta massacre with selfie videos pic.twitter.com/pIIIjRIdkZ
— Muhammad Najem (@muhammadnajem20) February 21, 2018

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The 15-year-old documenting Eastern Ghouta massacre with selfie videos https://t.co/pIIIjRIdkZ

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The 15-year-old documenting Eastern Ghouta massacre with selfie videos https://t.co/pIIIjRIdkZ

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The 15-year-old documenting Eastern Ghouta massacre with selfie videos

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On the 7th of April 2018, a chemical attack was carried out in the Syrian city of Douma. Despite the city being only roughly 20 km from the capital of Damascus, the attack carried out by the Assad Regime reportedly killed at least 70 people and injured over 500. On-site medics and doctors said a mixture of Sarin and Chlorine gas was used in the attack.

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Russian Perspective of the Douma chemical attacks. 

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Russian Perspective of the Douma chemical attacks. 

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Articles published by Russian owned media group RT, shed some doubt over chemical attacks in Douma. Articles written between the 20th and 23rd of April, skeptisize about the legitimacy of attacks on Douma. The media outlet refused to conform reports about the attack. Further, the report criticizes the UK, France and USA for taking action against Syria in relation to the chemical attacks. This was because RT claims that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had not even taken decisive action or finalized reports about the attack. Essentially while the Russian news outlet did not deny the events occurring they simply downplayed the effects of the chemical attack and gave basis to believe that the US, UK and France did not have the legitimate authority to take action against the Assad regime.

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Syria's civil war began in 2011 following protests against the Assad regime during the Arab Spring, a political movement that swept across the middle east in the past decade. In 2012, the government began losing control of different regions to jihadists and religious extremists, plunging the state into a bloodied and violent civil war.

Damascus, the capital of Syria and seat of power for the Assad regime, is free from rebel fighters for the first time in 7 years, since the beginning of the civil war.

This achievement was accomplished through the last Islamic State fighters reaching an agreement with the Assad regime to leave the Palestinian refugee camp in the neighbouring town of Hajar as-Aswad.

According to Syrian spokesman Gen Ali Mayhoub... "Damascus and its surroundings are completely secure"

The intervention in the conflict by both Iran and Russia who stand as strong supporters of the Assad Regime, has given Assad a competitive edge allowing him to turn the tide of the war in his favour in recent years. This in turn has allowed Assad to establish control over the capital and other major cities.

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May 2018

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Syrian Rebels Surrender Last Rebel-Held Area Near Homs: May 2018 

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Syrian Rebels Surrender Last Rebel-Held Area Near Homs: May 2018 

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Syrian rebels have surrendered their control of the areas they hold, in an agreement with Russia. This not only means the ultimate loss of the 'rebels' in the civil war, but also indicated the growing existence of Russian influence within Syria.

it is also interesting to note the language used to describe the opposition groups by the Syrian government. Having been labelled terrorists by the regime. Such hostility between parties means the presence of third parties such as Russia and Iran is necessary to not only back the Assad regime, but also to diffuse the situation between the rebels and other parties to the Syrian conflict.

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BBC News. (2018). Syrian army in full control of Damascus. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44198304?intlink_from_url=http://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cx1m7zg0w5zt/syria&link_location=live-reporting-story [Accessed 21 May 2018].

Saad, H. (2018). Syria Regains Control of Damascus, After Seven Years of Fighting. [online] Nytimes.com. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-damascus-rebels.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FSyria&action=click&contentCollection=world&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection [Accessed 22 May 2018].

Al Jazeera. (2018). Syrian Revels Surrender Last Rebel-Held Area Near Homs.  [online] Avaliable at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/syrian-rebels-surrender-enclave-northern-homs-180503122056266.html

RT. 2018. RT visits hospital seen in Douma 'chemical attack' video, talks to boy in footage. [online] Available at: https://www.rt.com/news/424694-douma-boy-video-attack/ (viewed 22 May 2018)

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Reclaim of Damascus: Outside Intervention

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Reclaim of Damascus: Outside Intervention

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In a Moscow meeting reported recently in May, Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin suggested that now that the fighting was dying down and victory was coming closer, the push for a political settlement between parties would allow outside intervention to cease and for the Assad regime to reestablish dominance over their sovereign land.

However, with Turkey entrenched in the North and wanting to defend its border with Syria and uphold their national security, any immediate withdrawal of foreign forces seems unlikely.