In-depth: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham currently controls swathes of northwest Syria, with the extremist group imposing their hardline doctrine on all aspects of life for the four million Syrians who live there.
After the announcement in Vienna of a transitional plan for the Syrian conflict, Syrian opposition groups are scrambling to ensure they remain relevant and influential.
Supported by Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syrian opposition, Russia is considering an alternative to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa.
Politics: Villagers are creating their own forces as the Syrian army suffers defeats and is unable to counter the Islamic State group, writes Absi Smeisem.
Feature: When the Islamic State group captured the ancient Syrian city, they butchered the remaining soldiers. Only troops who were informed about a retreat survived, reports Absi Smeisem.
Amid signs that the Syrian regime is disintegrating, members of the Assad family have been in contact with Western parties seeking safeguards should the regime suddenly collapse.
