By Mohamad Misto

ISTANBUL

A Syrian regime court has sentenced dozens of opposition members to death, according to a pro-regime newspaper.

Al-Watan newspaper said 40 people were tried in absentia, including head of Jaysh al-Islam group Essam al-Buwaydhani, Abdel Nasser Shemir, leader of al-Rahman Legion and Mohamed al-Sharaa (known as Abu Mohamed al-Jolani), the commander of Tahrir al-Sham group.

The defendants face charges, including the "possession of explosive material to spread horror and committing a crime against the state."

It remains unclear when the ruling was issued.

The verdict comes after the Bashra al-Assad regime wrestled control of many areas from the opposition in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo and Daraa provinces.