Syrian Army Battles with Defectors in the South

Syrian soldiers

Hundreds of army defectors are fighting against tanks of the regime in Busra al-Harir and Lujah. This is one of the biggest and most dangerous confrontations in the nine month uprising against president Bashar al-Assad.

The loyalist forces are mainly from the 12^th Armoured Brigade, based in Isra, roughly located at 40km from the border with Jordan. Explosions and heavy machine was heard in Busra al-Harir and in Lujah, a rocky hills sector north of the town, where defectors have been hiding and attacking military supply lines.

Earlier on Sunday, December 11, activists made a general strike to overthrow the government and end its deadly crackdown. So far five people were killed in Syria as troops opened fire to quell the protests. (AV)