DAY 550 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2012

Human Rights Watch estimates that 20,000 people have died during the Syrian conflict. Videos start to emerge on the internet showing rebel soldiers executing four Assad loyalists. The recording leaves the international community aghast, concluding that Syrian opposition forces are also guilty of atrocity. Assad's air force counters by indiscriminately bombing bread lines in Aleppo. In reaction to the Syrian Army's blatant disregard for human life, prime minister Riyad Hijab defects, calling the regime "barbaric for killing unarmed people." Meanwhile, after Russian and China block peace resolution processes among other diplomatic deadlocks, Kofi Annan steps down as head of the UN's special envoy to Syria. It is a major blow towards the solution of the crisis. With the UN proving ineffectual, Iran confirms that its revolutionary guard is assisting the Assad Regime with intelligence and financial resources. They are the first third party to openly announce an active involvement in the conflict.

The fighting in Deir Ez Zor is becoming monotonous, with neither side gaining any ground. Your new friend hints at you getting your own apartment. She and the other mothers have neither the space nor the money to provide housing for you, Emad and Yara. Many of the stores in the city have been destroyed. There isn't really a market for luxury retail anymore, at least not in Deir Ez Zor. If you are going to make money, which you really need to do if you are going to continue to take care of your family, you are going to need to support the war effort. And for that there are only two things that you know of.