After taking control of the phosphate mines and the port of Tartous, Russia is now eyeing the Damascus International Airport.

Across the country, there are increasing situations of strikes as Syrians protest their harshening economic conditions and continuing chaos.

The government has announced a new plan to rehabilitate the Barada valley area with the aim of securing water supplies to the Syrian capital and attracting investment in the real estate sector.

The European Union has renewed for one year its set of sanctions on Syria and delisted several individuals and entities.

The decision by Iraqi Airways to reverse a decision to resume flights to Damascus highlights the obstacles to normalization with the Syrian authorities.