LOC13:01
10:01 GMT
BERLIN, Aug 11 (KUNA) -- The days of the Assad regime are "numbered" and
the Syrian army is near "collapse" especially after heavy crackdowns from the
opposition and many defections within the army lines, German Intelligence
Chief Gerhard Schindler said on Saturday.
In a press statement to "Die Welt" newspaper, the chief noted that the
Syrian opposition war tactics in the cities as well as the many defections
suffered within the Syrian army would lead to a definite collapse of the Assad
regime.
"There are many indications that the regime is getting to its end," he
noted. "The Syrian army has lost 50,000 troops so far."
According to latest German intelligent data the number of the opposition
fighters has reached more than 20,000. This huge number makes it difficult for
the Syrian army to suppress the fighters.
Schindler clarified the Islamist groups are not controlling the battle in
Syria since they are considered a "minority." However, there are other
stricter groups that fight along the lines of the opposition and they are
believed to be affiliated to Al-Qaeda. (end)
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