Syrian War News Updates -- June 5, 2017

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad © SANA / Reuters

The Independent: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says civil war’s ‘worst is behind us’

Mr Assad claims things are moving in ‘right direction’ after string of advances by Syrian regime’s forces

Bashar al-Assad has claimed the worst of his country’s civil war “is behind us” following a series of advances by his forces backed by key ally Russia.

Speaking to an India-based television station in Damascus, the Syrian President said things were moving in the “right direction” because they were “defeating the terrorists”.

His army faces Isis and similar extremists groups, but also Kurdish forces and Western-backed rebels formed after the Arab Spring pro-democracy movement.

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Syrian War News Updates -- June 5, 2017

Syria's Assad Says Worst of the War Is Over, as ISIS Nears Defeat -- Newsweek
‘Worst is behind us’ as terrorists are on retreat – Assad on Syrian conflict -- RT
Syria’s Assad Presses Offensive on Opposition in Wake of U.S. Strikes -- WSJ
Syrian troops pound Daraa after rebel attack -- Washington Post/AP
Syrian rebels say Syrian army plane downed east of Damascus -- Reuters
Syrian army advance helps secure Aleppo road -- Reuters
US-backed forces reclaim major dam from Daesh in Syria -- TRT World
Turkey Says U.S.-Backed Assault to Retake Raqqa Begins -- Bloomberg
Turkey PM says battle to retake IS capital in Syria has begun -- The Times of Israel
U.S.-backed anti-Islamic State forces to announce Raqqa assault start date on Tuesday -- Reuters
US-Led Coalition Rejects Claims of Raqqa Liberation Campaign Start by Kurds -- Sputnik
Syria's divided rebel factions look for allies they can trust -- CBS/AP
On the front line of Iran's shadow war in Syria -- The Independent
Bashar Al-Assad Personally Ordered Nerve Gas Program For Use Against His People: Scientists -- Newsweek
3506 Palestinians killed in Syria since 2011: NGO -- Anadolu Agency
In recently surrendered Damascus suburb, rebel fighter stays behind: ‘I want a normal life’ -- Syria Direct
Beauty amid the chaos: a snapshot of Syrian cities through Instagram -- The Guardian