Syrian Diplomat Defects As Aleppo Fighting Worsens

Charge d’Affaires Khaled al-Ayoubi, a top Syrian diplomat in Great Britain, has defected from the Syrian government, telling British authorities he is resigning because of Syria’s “violent and oppressive acts.”

The BBC reports that the announcement comes after at least 200,000 people have fled the city of Aleppo, which has been a hot spot for an intense battle between the Syrian government forces and rebel troops. A FCO spokesman stated of al-Ayoubi’s defection that:

“Mr al-Ayoubi has told us that he is no longer willing to represent a regime that has committed such violent and oppressive acts against its own people, and is therefore unable to continue in his position. Mr al-Ayoubi was the most senior Syrian diplomat serving in London.”

This is not the first defection for Syria’s top diplomats, which have included three high-ranking diplomats, as well as a number of military commanders. The Foreign Office states that Charge d’Affaires Khaled al-Ayoubi is staying in a safe location in the UK, and has not said if he will support the Syrian rebels. The FCO spokesman further stated:

“His departure is another blow to the Assad regime. It illustrates the revulsion and despair the regime’s actions are provoking amongst Syrians from all walks of life, inside the country and abroad. We urge others around Bashar al-Assad to follow Mr al-Ayoubi’s example, to disassociate themselves from the crimes being committed against the Syrian people and to support a peaceful and free future for Syria.”

According to CNN, rebel fighters captured a government military base on the outskirts of Aleppo Monday, and Fazad Abdel Nasr, a rebel commander working in the northern Aleppo suburbs stated that “the battle lasted around nine hours.” He reported that six regime soldiers and four rebel fighters were killed in the altercation. He also added:

“We captured four tanks in good condition, and they are now in the hands of the Free Syrian Army. Two were destroyed.”

Politico notes that fighting in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has been heating up as government forces attack the city with mortars, tank, and helicopter gunships, targeting neighborhoods that have been seized by the rebels. The fighting in the city of 3 million people has been raging for at least a week. Valerie Amos, the top U.N. official for humanitarian affairs, stated on Sunday that:

“I am extremely concerned by the impact of shelling and use of tanks and other heavy weapons on people in Aleppo. Many people have sought temporary shelter in schools and other public buildings in safer area. They urgently need food, mattresses and blankets, hygiene supplies and drinking water.”

Do you think that the defection of Charge d’Affaires Khaled al-Ayoubi, another Syrian diplomat, will be another blow to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime?

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