Syrian soldiers defect with their families
Source: Agencies |
June 26, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DOZENS of Syrian soldiers defected overnight to Turkey, crossing the border with their families as tensions between the two countries soared three days after a Turkish military plane was shot down.
The state-run Anadolu news agency said 33 soldiers defected, including a general and two colonels. But a Turkish government official said the group included three colonels and there was no general.
Thousands of soldiers have abandoned the Syrian government, but most are low-level conscripts. The rebel Free Syrian Army, which is based in Turkey, is made up largely of defectors.
Anadolu said a total of 224 people crossed into Turkey overnight, the latest blow to President Bashar Assad's government. Activists say more than 14,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in March 2011, and the death toll mounts daily.
The defectors who crossed into Turkey overnight were brought to a refugee camp in Hatay, a province bordering Syria.
Turkey is host to some 33,000 Syrians who are seeking refuge from the violence.
The state-run Anadolu news agency said 33 soldiers defected, including a general and two colonels. But a Turkish government official said the group included three colonels and there was no general.
Thousands of soldiers have abandoned the Syrian government, but most are low-level conscripts. The rebel Free Syrian Army, which is based in Turkey, is made up largely of defectors.
Anadolu said a total of 224 people crossed into Turkey overnight, the latest blow to President Bashar Assad's government. Activists say more than 14,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in March 2011, and the death toll mounts daily.
The defectors who crossed into Turkey overnight were brought to a refugee camp in Hatay, a province bordering Syria.
Turkey is host to some 33,000 Syrians who are seeking refuge from the violence.
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