German Spy Chief: End Is Near For Syria's Assad

Photo: Gerhard Schindler. Spiegel Online

End Is Near For Syria's Assad, Says German Spy Chief -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Germany's spy chief said Syria President Bashar al-Assad's government appeared to be in its final phase because its army had been depleted by casualties, deserters and defectors to the opposition.

Gerhard Schindler, head of Germany's BND intelligence agency, said Assad's once 320,000-strong army had lost about 50,000 troops since the uprising against his rule began 17 months ago.

Smaller, flexible rebel units were sapping the strength of the army with guerrilla tactics, he told Die Welt newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.

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My Comment: I do not have the resources that he has which helps Gerhard Schindler make his Syrian analysis, but I do not see the Assad regime collapsing in the immediate future that he does. His military is still united, and he still has the firepower to combat the rebels. If anything, I see Syria evolving into a Lebanese type of situation .... a divided country based on sectarian lines.