UPRISING

Syria Troops Fire on Funeral

15,000 gather near Assad’s palace.

As the Syrian government continues its brutal, incessant crackdown on its citizens, the opposition staged a mass protest and funeral Saturday, about a mile away from the leader’s palace. The funeral was being held for three killed in the area on Friday. Government troops reportedly fired on the mourners in Damascus, while also peppering them with tear gas. The rally has reportedly drawn 15,000—the largest crowd in the capital since the 11-month uprising began. Meanwhile, a Chinese minister met with Assad on Saturday, and backed the president’s widely criticized referendum on a new constitution that he said would lead to parliamentary elections and resolve the crisis.