Running Out Of Men, Syrian Army Recruits Women To Fill Their Ranks

Syrian National Defence forces who just finished training, stand to attention at their training centre in Wadi al-Dahab

The Lionesses Of Syria: Assad Recruits Army Of Women As He Starts To Run Out Of Men -- Daily Mail

* Up to 500 women trained as soldiers for Assad's army
* They are decked out in army fatigues and armed with Kalashnikovs
* Critics say it is a propaganda tactic so rebels will be forced to kill women

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has recruited an army of women to guard checkpoints and carry out security checks in an attempt to plug the holes left by defections and casualties in his dwindling army.

Up to 500 women have been drafted into the new paramilitary force known as the 'Lionesses for National Defence.'

They have been in trained at a boot camp in Wadi al-Dahab in the Syrian city of Homs.

They form part of the recently formed 10,000-strong National Defence Force (NDF), a key part of Assad's counter insurgency strategy, as the president desperately tries to regain control of the country's towns and cities.

Read more ....

Update #1: Inside The All-Female Unit Of Syria's Paramilitary Force -- Business Insider/AFP
Update #2: Assad forms all female fighting unit -- New Zealand Herald/Independent

My Comment: Gaddafi tried to do the same thing during the height of the Libyan civil war, and it failed miserably. I expect the same result for the Assad regime.