Syria's Army Was Hollowing Out Long Before Rebels' Advance
Briefly

For years, Syrian soldiers have been complaining on Facebook about their bosses, detailing grievances against commanders who took bribes and mismanaged resources during a prolonged civil war.
The internal deterioration of Mr. al-Assad's military resulted in many soldiers choosing to abandon their uniforms instead of facing the advancing rebels, illustrating a complete breakdown of loyalty.
As President Bashar al-Assad fled the country he had ruled for decades, his military's inability to respond effectively to the rebels was a significant factor in his regime's collapse.
A soldier from an embattled unit shared an anonymous plea to his commander recounting how battalion leaders had escaped, leaving officers to fend for their troops.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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