Syrian Minister Quits and Joins Opposition

Syrian Deputy Oil Minister, Abdo Hussameldin

Syrian Deputy Oil Minister, Abdo Hussameldin, switched sides to the insurgent group on Thursday. This action furthers the conflict in the embattled Syrian government; Hussameldin announced his defection from President Bashar al-Assad’s regime through a video.

This action makes Hussameldin on of the highest-ranking civilian officials to bail on al-Assad. The video of the former Minister surfaced early Thursday in the Middle East, in which Hussameldin stated, “I recommend for all my friends who are still working for the regime to follow my self and leave the broken ship of the regime.”

Hussameldin, 58, has worked in al-Assad’s government for more than 33 years. Now he praises the Free Syrian Army, while complaining about Russia and China for their action by saying that they had proven themselves “unfriendly to the Syrian people.” He ended his statement saying, “The regime will chase me and my family and will accuse me with fabrication accusations.” (AV)