Syrian War News Updates -- February 20, 2017

BBC: Syria conflict: Rebels warns truce may collapse after attacks

Rebel factions in Syria that backed recent peace moves say an intensification of government attacks has put the current truce in jeopardy.

They warn that they reserve the right to respond to recent bombings of areas around Damascus, Homs and the south.

The rebels describe the attacks as a "bloody message" from President Bashar al-Assad's government.

This comes just days before UN-sponsored talks are due to start in Geneva, Switzerland.

The UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has played down hopes for the talks on 23 February.

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Syrian War News Updates -- February 20, 2017

Syrian government forces press attack on Damascus outskirts: monitors, medic -- Reuters
Syria army ramps up shelling near capital ahead of talks -- AFP
Syrian army and rebels trade rocket-fire in and around Damascus -- DW
Syrian forces attack rebel-held areas of Homs, Deraa, Damacus: monitors -- Reuters
Russia says 4 soldiers killed in roadside bombing in Syria -- AP
Four Russian servicemen killed by roadside bomb in Syria -- Washington Post
4 Russian servicemen killed in car blast in Syria – MoD -- RT
Turkish air strikes target ISIS in northern Syria -- Jerusalem Post
Turkey Continues Tough Battle Against IS in Syrian Town -- VOA
Turkey: Send US Special Forces to northern Syria -- Middle East Monitor
Trump insists Middle Eastern nations will pay for 'safe zones' for Syrian refugees -- Daily Mail
Le Pen Says Assad May Be Lesser of Two Evils for Syria's Future -- Bloomberg
Syria ceasefire opens door for political solution, UN says -- CNN