In the first public statement, since his defection on July 6, defected Syrian brigadier general Manaf Tlas has condemned crimes committed by Assad regime and shabbiha militiamen .
“I address you as one of the Syrian Arab Army's sons who rejects the criminal behaviour of this corrupt regime. The honourable people in the military would not accept these crimes, brigadier general Manaf Tlas said in a statement broadcast exclusively on Al Arabiya TV.
In his statement, Manaf Tlas called on all Syrians to "unite to serve Syria" and to rebuild a "free and democratic Syria”. However, he refused to condemn soldiers and officers who have not defected yet.
Manaf Tlass, 48, a former close associate of President Bashar al-Assad and a senior officer in the Republican Guards. He joined the opposition amid the brutal crackdown and the destruction of Rastane city by the regime. Rastane near Homs is his family hometown.
On the ground, heavy fighting between regime forces and Free Syrian Army broke out early Wednesday in Aleppo, reported the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR).
At least seven people, including civilians have been killed in violence Wednesday, according to a preliminary assessment by SOHR. The day before, repression and fighting had left 158 dead. In Aleppo, clashes took place in the district of Kasr al-Bustan, in the south of the city. Other fighting broke out at dawn in other areas, including al-Jamiliye (center), near the seat of the ruling Baath Party.
On a video released by Free Syrian Army, a police station is seen on fire in the neighborhood of Al-Kelassad (south of Aleppo) and gunshots were heard.
In Damascus, activists provided video of men with bullet holes in the side of their heads. They said they found on Wednesday the bodies of the 11 men, who were executed by regime forces and shabbiha in the Damascus district of Qaboun.
An opposition activist who lives near Qaboun, told Reuters news that the men were arrested five days ago in a nearby district.
In a related development, Turkey's foreign trade minister, Zafer Caglayan, said that Turkey has closed its Syria border crossings to traffic and cargo due to the deteriorating security situation in Syria.
According to Hurriyet daily news, the minister of customs and trade, Hayati Yazici said the decision was made after rebels seized the two Syrian border crossings. Last week, dozens of Turkish trucks were looted or burned after entering Bab el-Hawa crossing.
More as it becomes available.
Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/20 12/07/25/228190.html
