More than 565 civilians and 100 soldiers have been killed since an anti-regime uprising, inspired by revolts in Tunisia and Egypt, began in March, according to rights groups.
One hundred troops killed? Really? Clearly, to get a body count that high against the almost completely unarmed opposition visible on the streets, those deaths had to happen in battle with other troops (or security forces). That is, troops that cracked and would not shoot civilians.
There have already been reports of troops refusing to shoot and actually fighting loyalist forces. This is the first number I've seen indicating the scope. By comparison, in Afghanistan our highest monthly casualty count is 65. And there were only 7 months during the Iraq War where our casualties reached 100 or more. Sure, that number represents casualties on both sides of the clashes, but it does indicate that there is a problem.
This military pillar of the regime hasn't collapsed, but it is taking hits.
