WordBulletin

Head of Syrian military defectors has denied a news report that he crossed the border from Turkey to Syria to command troops loyal to the opposition force called the Free Syrian Army.

"News reports that appeared on a number of Internet sites that I had crossed into Syria to command troops there are false. I am in Turkey at the moment in a safe place," Col. Riad Al Assad told the Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.

Al Assad said an estimated 15 thousand Syrian soldiers had deserted and joined the Free Syrian Army to fight against the Damascus regime.

"Four hundred troops quit the Syrian army yesterday alone. Last week, 15 officers including colonels have pledged their allegiance. The Syrian regime is scared of the Free Syrian Army now," Al Assad said.

"The fall of the Syrian regime is unavoidable."

Al Assad said he condemned recent attacks on embassies in Damascus by supporters of the Syrian government.

"Paid gangs which are called Shabbiha and work closely with the Syrian regime have attacked a number of embassies including Turkey's in the guidance and supervision of the Syrian intelligence. We condemn those attacks," he said.

AA