Meanwhile...

Spiegel Online:

Up to 2 million Iraqis have fled their home since the beginning of the war just over four years ago, most of them escaping overland. And ever since Jordan effectively closed its border at the beginning of this year, Syria has become the number one destination for the refugees. Far more than 1,000 of them reach At-Tanf every day, "all of them exhausted and tired, with young children and elderly relatives in their car," says the border-control commander on duty.

Day after day, the refugees flock to his office. The friendly officer, who would prefer to remain anonymous, signs their pink visa application forms. "It doesn't really help to speed things up," he says good naturedly of the formality. "But the people leave afterwards." With thousands of people escaping from Iraq every day, processing applications takes time.

In order to manage the onslaught of refugees, the officer's underlings require applicants to wait outside before being allowed to enter the building. Three officials verify and stamp the passports while one reaches the documents out a window where hundreds stand waiting for their turn.

And here's why, from CNN:

Two truck bombs Tuesday killed at least 50 people in the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar.

The explosions targeted markets in the northern and central parts of the city, the mayor said.

Tal Afar Mayor Najam Abdulla -- who said another 103 people were wounded -- said the blasts came within a few minutes of each other.