Dozens Defect From Syrian Army, But Impact Is Limited
The ranks of defectors from the Syrian army who streamed into southern Turkey recently included a brigadier general, two colonels and two majors. While these are dramatic developments, writes Rania Abouzeid, they may not have much of an effect on the larger battle since the rebel ranks suffer from fissures in their own structure.
The ranks of the Syrian defectors who streamed into southern Turkey recently read like quite the roll call: a brigadier general, two colonels, two majors, a lieutenant, and dozens of soldiers, along with their families, according to press reports. Some 200 people in all, a logistical feat across an increasingly tense border between once friendly neighbors. The defections were announced shortly after the spectacular desertion of a Syrian fighter pilot who flew his Mig into Jordan, where he has been granted political asylum. Dramatic developments, to be sure, but how significant are they in terms of the larger battle between Syrian rebels and loyalists? What do these defections add up to?