Number of Syrian army defectors cooperate with Russia against rebels

(Zaman Al Wasl)- A number of former Syrian army officers who joined opposition Free Syrian Army are cooperating with Russia, providing crucial information about rebel factions that helped Moscow in its aerial campaign in north and west Syria, well-informed sources told Zaman al Wasl.

Zaman Al Wasl has obtained names of Russia's suspected agents northern Syria.

Some of the FSA officers who live in Turkey have provided sensitive information, including rebels' movements, bases, names and weapons, Such leaks helped Bashar al-Assad's key-ally in its brutal aerial bombing that began on Sep.30 and killed about 1000 people, including rebels.

Sources said that some FSA officers have also strong ties with Egyptian intelligence and they repeatedly visit Cairo.

Since 2011, four million Syrians have fled abroad. Millions more have been internally displaced, while at least 250,000 have been killed.