Syrian War News Updates -- February 27, 2017

Reuters: Show respect, avoid insults: U.N. envoy gets strict at Syria talks

Like a headmaster addressing rowdy pupils, the United Nations envoy for Syria began peace talks in Geneva last week by telling the warring parties to behave and show respect.

But five days into the latest attempt to end the Syrian conflict, there are scant signs that Staffan de Mistura's strictures are making much difference.

"Respect my directions regarding the confidentiality of meetings, documentations, conversations and communications," says the first point of a working paper handed out by the 70-year-old diplomat, designed to keep things civilized and secret.

Point two declares: "Respect the others who are present in these proceedings. No one has the right to question the legitimacy of others."

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Syrian War News Updates -- February 27, 2017

Avoid insults, UN urges Syrian rivals at tense talks -- AFP
Syria opposition seeks clarity from power-broker Russia at Geneva talks -- Reuters
Opposition seeks Russian support at Syria talks -- AFP
Syrian activists demand Assad begin talks on transition, UN strengthen ceasefire monitoring -- ABC News Online
Government forces target rebels in Syrian cities -- Al Jazeera
Jets pound northwest Syria as Geneva peace talks continue -- AP
Syrian army advances against Islamic State near Aleppo: monitor -- Reuters
Syrian regime advances against Daesh in northern areas -- TRT
Reports: Syrian rebels, loyalists clash south of al-Bab near Tedef -- RUDAW
Turkey-backed Syrian rebels clash with army in north -- Reuters
Turkey Sends Troops, Armored Personnel Carriers to Syrian Border – Reports -- Sputnik
Turkey will end operation in Syria after Manbij captured: Erdogan's adviser -- UPI
Turkey builds more than half of Syrian border wall -- DW
Russian frigate heads to Mediterranean, reportedly bound for Syria -- RT
Russian frigate heads to Mediterranean on Syria mission - source -- Reuters
New anti-Islamic State strategy may mean deeper U.S. involvement in Syria -- AP
Pentagon delivers draft plan to defeat Islamic State to White House -- Reuters
Syria's last battle? Big push on IS capital Raqqa gathers momentum -- UPI