The head of Syria’s opposition National Coalition, Ahmad Jarba (left), shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right).
Today is Day 1,127 of the Syria conflict.
The final death toll for yesterday has been estimated at 278, amid new claims of poison gas attacks.
The head of Syria's opposition National Coalition, Ahmad Jarba, met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday, and announced afterward that they both support a political solution to the Syrian crisis, and that the National Coalition would be "willing to join the third round of talks in Geneva." This doesn't mean much.
Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the guy who's been running Saudi Arabia's rebel support policy in Syira in conjunction with US and Jordanian efforts, is stepping down from his post.
The New York Times has a stunningly beautiful feature on the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra: what has been destroyed and what remains. The famous Hotel Zenobia where Agatha Christie stayed "stands burned and wrecked," but first-century ruins remain, occasionally marked by a "new scar." Amateur and professional grave robbers have become a problem, and soldiers are crawling all over some of the sites, using them as lookouts. The photos alone are worth the click, and the print piece includes some interesting assessments from archaeology professionals.
Finally, you may remember that bizarre episode where former Chelsea and Arsenal soccer star Lassana Diarra was rumored to be in Syria fighting alongside the rebels, and Diarra's lawyer was forced to deny the nonsense and point out that Diarra had "never set foot" in the country. The Guardian reported yesterday evening that the video that kicked it all off — wherein a masked fighter was listed as "An ex-football player (Arsenal of London)" — has been reviewed by "British and foreign security services," who have deteremined the man is "probably Portuguese." Apparently they analyzed his accent.
The man, whom they believe is Celso Rodrigues Da Costa, may or may not actually have had any connection to the Arsenal soccer club. The Guardian's "sources at Arsenal" say maybe he was at coaching sessions for young players, but they don't recognize him and have no record of a man by this name.
So now you know? In all seriousness, the trend of Europeans heading over to fight in Syria is a legitimate concern, outlined in prior weeks. This was just an unusually strange example.
The conflict continues.
We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!