Analysis: Defections test Assad’s ability to sustain crackdown

AMMAN | Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:38am EDT AMMAN (Reuters) – Cracks in Syria’s military are widening along sectarian lines, say analysts, fuelling an armed mutiny that may pose an even greater threat to President Bashar al-Assad than the street protests which have rocked the country for months. Diplomats and military experts say army cohesiveness is fraying and defections increasing as the leadership, largely from the minority Alawite sect, sends troops out to crush unrest across the mainly Sunni Muslim country of 20 million. “The crackdown is looking increasingly unsustainable. Assad is more unable to rely on the majority Sunni rank and file. It is costing lots of money to move already exhausted core troops and his capability of launching simultaneous strikes on protest centres is diminishing,” a European diplomat said. “The Sunni backlash against him is growing, and we could see a scenario where he will lose the countryside.” (Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com …