Family of Syrian defector targeted

The family of Hussein Harmoush, one of the most senior officers to defect from the Syrian army, have told Al Jazeera how they have been targeted by the Syrian government.

Syria’s eight-month crackdown has extended beyond street violence, with claims of killings and torture. The UN says that around 3,500 people have been killed since the uprising began in March.

And the Syrian government is punishing many families for supporting the protests. 

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports on the case of the Harmoush family who say Syrian security forces have killed 14 of their relatives since Hussein defected in June.