In a subpost at Syria comment, Joshua Landis includes a copy of a declaration fro Syria’s top defector who writes, ” I call for all my comrades in armed forces, whatever their rank in the hierarchy, who are dragged into this fight against their Syrian fellows and against their own ideals, to end supporting this regime.”
I also like Landis analysis. Landis writes:
The Tlas defection sends the sign that the regime is done for. No longer is this uprising merely about angry young men in the countryside. It has reached to the very top. The elite Sunnis are looking for the exit door – but it will be hard to replicate this defection. Manaf got the golden parachute into Paris. His family is all out – his father, brother, wife and children. He planned this carefully. He has the power and the means.
Other generals have no bodyguards, no visas, no money…. It will be a long and painful process for most to defect (but you can bet that many want out, as in Iran, where they and their families are also threatened by a very similar regime).
What is more the Alawite officers have their backs to the wall.
KHAMENEI SPOKESMAN REACTS TO SYRIA’S DEFECTION BY THREATENING A SLAUGHTER OF ASSAD-STYLE DIMENSIONS IF PROTESTS RESTART IN IRAN
Significantly, on the day following Syria’s big defection, Iranian Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi hinted of what all Iranians alread know–that the Khamenei regime is ready, willing and able to unleash an Assad like slaughter of civilians, their property, their lives and their relatives if they get any ideas of protesting for freedom and justice. From Enduring America:
Heidar Moslehi says the repetition of the unrest that followed the 2009 presidential elections will not be allowed in the country….
Moslehi noted that some leaders of that “sedition” are thinking about restarting political activities and posing new challenges to the Islamic Revolution….
“The Intelligence Ministry is completely monitoring all such currents and will handle them so that people will not face any challenges or even feel [they are being] challenged,” he added.
