Amid unremitting fighting in Syria that has claimed tens of thousands of casualties, another high-profile defection from President Bashar al-Assad's embattled government.<br/> <br />The army has failed to protect the country and has transformed "into gangs of killing and destruction," says the now former head of military police, General Abdelaziz Jassim al-Shalal.<br/> <br />In this video the senior officer blames the military for massacres against unarmed people.<br/> <br />A Syrian security source downplayed the significance of the defection, saying Shalal was due to retire in a month.<br/> <br />A number of senior military officials and soldiers have abandoned the bloody battle to crush rebel fighters, with some joining the opposition.<br/> <br />Footage of the conflict posted online cannot be independently verified by Reuters.<br/> <br />Shalal's announcement comes as government forces combat rebel advances around the country.
