Why It Is Difficult To Defect From The Syrian Military

Defected helicopter pilot Ahmad Trad, 30, is now living in an apartment in the Turkish town of Altinozu with his family, after fleeing Syria last month. Liz Sly/Washington Post

Pilot’s Escape From Syria Illustrates Difficulty Of Defecting -- Washington Post

ALTINOZU, Turkey — When helicopter pilot Ahmad Trad decided he wanted to defect from the Syrian air force earlier this year, he realized it wasn’t going to be easy. His Damascus air base was closely monitored, he was sure his phone was tapped and he suspected that one in every three of his colleagues was spying for the government.

He also confronted the dilemma that he and other defectors say is the biggest deterrent to those who would like to abandon the Syrian regime but have not yet dared: the safety of his family. Slipping away from his base was one thing, but it was just as important for Trad, 30, to make sure his relatives would not be targeted for revenge attacks once he was gone.

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My Comment: As defections continue to rise, the control that the intelligence agencies have on these soldiers will break down.