Dozens of Syrian Soldiers Defect

Alessio Romenzi/AFP/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) -- The 16-month conflict between the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces shows no signs of ending anytime soon, but 85 members of Syria’s military have apparently had enough.

Turkish state TV reported on Monday that 85 Syrian soldiers, including a general, have defected from the Syrian Army and fled into Turkey. 

Other Syrian soldiers have defected in the past, but the size of Monday’s group indicates there is growing uneasiness about the Syrian military’s efforts against anti-government forces.

The conflict has claimed more than 15,000 lives.

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