On 10 December, activists say clashes between Syrian troops and army defectors killed at least two people.

Dozens of army defectors were deployed at the entrances to the town to prevent any attempt by government forces to storm it, he added.

Violence erupted in the streets of Sana'a as government forces clashed with protesters and army defectors.

"Some of those on the boats are army defectors and will do just about anything to keep from going back to Haiti."

Twenty four people, including six army defectors were killed in the fighting according to activists.

During the fighting, the army defectors brought down one helicopter and destroyed three tanks near Saraqib.

Several days later, the dead were identified to be military and the opposition than claimed they were army defectors killed by government forces.

It was also said that all the army defectors involved returned after the attack.

Syrian security forces shot dead 13 people, including nine civilians and four army defectors.

Syrian army defectors have attacked a string of military bases near Damascus.