Several hundred soldiers have reportedly defected and joined the demonstrators in the streets.

On 26 May, fifteen soldiers and two officers defected to the rebels, and, the following day, gunfire was exchanged.

Those soldiers have nominally defected to the Government, although this may in effect be little more than a change in uniform.

After a short fusillade, the attacking soldiers started to flee and even defected to the Liberals.

In some towns in the east, rebel soldiers have been defecting.

Kurdish officials said six Iraqi soldiers defected just before the withdrawal here, but they declined to provide access to them.

This may be the reason why many of the Paighan soldiers in the army defected to the Arab side before and after the battle.

The first assault failed, and many soldiers defected to the mutineers.

Between 600 and 800 soldiers have defected to create a new rebel group in the eastern part of the country.

Their soldiers are defecting by the hundreds.