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Middle East
Syria expert discusses defections claim
University of Oklahoma's Joshua Landis underscores the need for caution regarding notion of a wholesale mutiny.
Last Modified: 14 Jun 2011 20:30



Discussing the reported military defections in Syria over phone from Norman, Oklahoma, Joshua Landis, director of the Centre for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, said: "Syria is a deeply divided society. We have to be cautious with this notion of a wholesale mutiny on the part of Sunni soldiers.

"Undoubtedly we have heard of a few, so far individuals.

"Now this tank unit is a new thing. For a whole unit to go over to the other side ... I think that this is something that we will see more of.

"There is a lot of pressure for the army to abandon the regime."
Source:
Al Jazeera
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