Two Syrian generals, army officers defect to Turkey

A general view of Apaydın camp in Hatay. (Photo: İHA, Mustafa Çolakoğlu)

28 December 2012 /TODAYSZAMAN.COM, İSTANBUL

Two Syrian generals and several army officers have fled Syria and defected to Turkey in a string of defections among security ranks in the Syrian army as it intensifies its military crackdown on the armed opposition with a high level of civilian casualties.

Two Syrian generals, who are reportedly regional commanders in the Syrian Air Force, five colonels, two majors, two captains, four lieutenants, three major sergeants and their families entered into Turkey at the border village of Bükülmez in Hatay's Reyhanlı district.

The army officers and their families were taken to the Apaydın camp, where Turkey shelters defected Syrian army members.

With the latest defections, the total number of defected Syrian generals Turkey is housing has risen to 49.

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