Al-Jazeera Confirms Clashes Between Military Forces in Syria
Al-Jazeera has confirmed that members of the 5th Division have clashed with the 4th Division led by Maher Assad in Daraa. The news agency says three witnesses and an activist verified the reports, but that it does not indicate that a decisive split has formed yet. An opposition spokesman said battalions from the 5th intervened to protect the people and were fired upon by the 4th and returned fire. One witness said the clashes lasted for several hours in front of the Bilal mosque in central Daraa.
The Reform Party of Syria says that a pro-Assad Syrian named Bassam Abu Abdullah admitted on Al-Jazeera that 850 Syrian soldiers in the 4th Army died in the clashes. This should be considered a rumor right now since we do not know who this person is or where he got the information. An Army lieutenant from the Okaidat tribe told the opposition that 1,000 soldiers have been executed for disobeying orders.
The RPS also reports that tanks are now entering Homs and heavy fire is being heard.
