[Updated at 9:22 a.m. ET] Manaf Tlas, a Sunni general in Syria's elite Republican Guards, has defected, a Western diplomat said Friday, a stunning blow to the Bashar al-Assad regime.
Tlas, the son of a former Syrian defense minister and cousin of a first lieutenant in al-Assad's army, is possibly the most senior Sunni in a power structure dominated by the Alawite minority.
"He's an inside confidant of Assad. So it counts that even an insider thinks it's time to go," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official was not authorized to speak to the media.
Syria has been engulfed in nearly 16 months of unrest. Thousands have died as Syrian government assaults against protesters led to a nationwide uprising.
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Benedict Arnold bordercrosser AWOL.
He sees the writing on the wall?
"Just following orders" hasn't been an acceptable excuse since Nazi war criminals tried to use it against US during warcrime tribunals.
"Adolph said so" doesn't fly nor hold water, You can tell by the obese Bald Eagle who drinks from a holy cup.
Sheesh. WordPress posts, CNN mod deletes. What's it been...8 comments of mine posted and then later deleted this morning?
The 'report abuse' crowd weren't even awake when my comments posted, so we can't blame the panic button pushers.
What gives? Some ask for citations, I'd like some explanations. ty
I agree. An explanation would be nice. Their choice of what to censor is impossible for me to understand.
Maybe the Syrians have planted a virus at CNN. My computer is acting a little odd too now.
Do you think genuine Muslims view other genuine Muslims who side with invading infidels as you view this AWOL general?
Just b/c the enemy camp has better grub than yours doesn't mean it's ok to switch sides.
Turkey also has a much better public debt to gross domestic product ratio than the USA. What of it?
( Benjamin Franklin wanted a big fat turkey to be our national symbol instead of the bald eagle. What was ben thinking? That symbols should accurately reflect what they symbolize?
When a bank robber comes out waving a white flag, you don't allow him to be on your side. You arrest him, investigate, and prosecute him by law.
You folks have been accusing Syrian generals of some very heinous crimes against humanity. Now you want to hug one? On Wes F. Official say so?
@philip lay off Benny. You know he's my favorite. lol
Our Colorado Springs fire has been fully contained. Wtg! Firefighters! And thank you folks for your concern.
We have placed a 50 thousand dollar reward for info leading to the arrest of those who profited by this fire, namely, turncoats who burglarized homes in evacuated areas. At least these petty thieves didn't go "rodney king crowd" on us and set 28 fires, kill 56 citizens and illegals all-tolled, and maime hundreds more. (actual stats)
While your at it, type in Cnn's "search bar" "27 must-sees" ... Beautiful pics
Among them, you'll see 5000 bats flying in the air. Crazy
Btw, the aformentioned is Kasanka bat migration, Zambia
"Great Job"! to the firefighters of Co. Last I heard, they thought it would be mid July before containment could be reached.
Beer is on me GUYS!
...all 100 horses belonging to US Air Force Employees have been safely returned to their stables at the US Air Force Academy.
Acourse that was 20 yrs. ago. Now I break out here. lmao
Currently, we are preparing for mudslides. I prefer mine Colorado Bulldog. he he (except I break out in spots all over the place when I get drunkard. Spots like Las Vegas and camped next to the Pecos River.
463 Firemen...3 Budweisers each...tall bottles, not troughed beer...that comes to 1,852 bucks plus tip. Oops. Forgot to add your potato skins, cheeze sticks w/mozza, and that keepsake ashtray you snuck in your purse.
...not to mention "the firefighters" weren't all Coloradans. Most were from out-of-state. And they are all paid very well. Federal tax dollars cover 75%, State 25% of costs associated with fighting this fire. They save your homes just as roughnecks save your cars from running out of gas. Both jobs pay very well compared to milktoast man runnning errands for Fox studios diguised as a log cabin republican.
Paid very well? How's $12.50 an hour, living usually in makeshift camps. No pleasantries such as clean clothes, showers, good food etc....away from home for long weeks to months. That's what the itinerant wildfire fighter deals with. Want a job? They're hiring.
@Tony-not enough pay for such a life-threatening job.
Firefighters are wonderful. Have you hugged your firemen today? Not you tony.lol
@Obama Mama ...No hugs ...Just a pat on the back, a firm handshake, and the offer of a cold one!
@Tony,lol. I will go for the cold one. Cheers.
Why Mrs. Clinton and the US gov't keep bashing or blaming China and Russia on Syria's problem? Who has stoped the MIGHTY USA from attacking anyone? Go and spend your billion of dollars on war....if you have any left? No one has stoped your mighty one from going to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, or Libya. USA always have a perfect selection, where were the mighty USA when genocide took places like Rwanda, Dafur, and Cambodia? Maybe those places has no political interest or benefit to the mighty one.
Few questions come to mind. If I were a reporter, and I would want to know. Was this guy one of the generals giving fire mission approval? Did he give orders to ease towns and slaughter civilians? Why is he going or already in Paris, and not Guantanamo or where ever we store these types? And why give this guys full name? You just put his life in danger.
I will be collecting donations to for Mary's Beer tab.
You can send your contribution to: Po Box, I opened my BIG FAT MOUTH, Dumbnut, NY 11111
Thank you in advance.