State Department Comments on Syrian Military Police Chief’s Defection - East Idaho News
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State Department Comments on Syrian Military Police Chief’s Defection

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GETTY W 122612 SyriaMap?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1356570504058iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The State Department addressed the reports of the assumed defection of Syrian Military Police Chief, Major General Abdul Aziz Jassem al-Shallal, on Wednesday.

Acting Deputy Spokesperson Patrick Ventrell said, “We are aware of reports that the Syrian Military Police Chief, Major General Abdul Aziz Jassem al-Shallal, has defected, but we are not in a position to confirm his actions or whereabouts.  If true, this would be yet another sign of the regime crumbling from within, as those around Assad realize that the end of his rule is inevitable.”

Ventrell added, “We continue to encourage regime officials and forces to reject the horrific actions of the Asad regime. Syrian officials should stand with the Syrian people.”

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