[quote][b]Several high-ranking Syrian military figures have defected to Turkey, reports in Turkish media say.[/b]
A general, two colonels, two majors and about 30 other soldiers are said to have crossed into Hatay province on Sunday night.
They were part of a group of some 200 people who crossed the border overnight into Monday, Anatolia news agency says.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated over the shooting down by Syria of a Turkish F-4 jet.
The two pilots were reported missing on Friday when their plane went down in the Mediterranean off the Syrian coast.
The Turkish cabinet is due to discuss the crisis on Monday, a day before Nato ambassadors in Brussels meet to consider their response.
Ankara has invoked Article 4 of Nato's charter, under which consultations can be requested when an ally feels its security is threatened.
More than 33,000 people have fled into Turkey since Syria's violence began in March 2011.[/quote]
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18445370[/url]
Well good for them for getting out while they still can!
Here we go...
I really hope this doesn't serve as a marker of a possible escalation of the conflict in Syria and the general region.
beyond the recent fighter that was shot down I mean
[QUOTE=ayaki;36480126]Here we go...
I really hope this doesn't serve as a marker of a possible escalation of the conflict in Syria and the general region.
beyond the recent fighter that was shot down I mean[/QUOTE]
If anything it will decrease since Syria is losing their army command. If this news spreads in Syria, it's likely that others will defect too or maybe even fight against the government.
As good as it is for the Syrian military to lose officers like this, I think they could have helped the right side more by defecting to the the rebels instead of some neutral party.
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;36481379]As good as it is for the Syrian military to lose officers like this, I think they could have helped the right side more by defecting to the the rebels instead of some neutral party.[/QUOTE]
Not that i would really know what would happen then, but my guess is they will be hunted down in days.
[QUOTE=taipan;36482124]Not that i would really know what would happen then, but my guess is they will be hunted down in days.[/QUOTE]
The rebels need help and soldiers as much as the Syrian army needs to lose help and soldiers. I'm sure experienced officers would be a great benefit to the rebels as well.
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