(Image source: The Washington Examiner)

BY MIKKEL NOEL LANZKY

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Syria could start following in the footsteps of Libya. euronews reports defectors from the Syrian army have started fighting back.

“Syrian army defectors have launched their first attack in the eight months uprising against president Bashar al-Assad. It’s said they’ve struck a major security facility. The news comes after more than 70 people were killed in yet more clashes between Syrian security forces and protesters.”

The defected soldiers are responding to the brutal crackdown that the Assad regime has carried out since protests began more than eight months ago. Al Jazeera reports:

“The men are fighting for the Free Syrian Army. They once served in the national military but say their conscience guided them to defect. ‘As a result of the continuing acts of repression by the Assad regime and the killing of unarmed people demanding their right to a free life, we declare our defection from the Baathist army. We are joining the free people in the Free Syrian Army by forming the Abu Alib Batalion’.”

According to the UN the conflict has taken at least 3,500 lives so far. CBS News says Syria seems to be on the brink of civil war.

“The pressure is increasing inside Syria too. Today, thousands marched in a funeral procession for six victims said to have been killed by government forces. This may not yet be a full-blown civil war but the signs are it’s heading that way.”

The Atlantic shares the gloomy forecast of civil war, but fears the odds are against a successful rebellion:

"The Syrian conflict still appears stacked enormously in favor of Assad holding on to power, but for the first time since violence began there in March, it looks possible -- however unlikely -- that protesters could actually succeed in bringing revolution to their country. [...] But it will likely be a civil war before it’s a revolution.”

The Economist is more optimistic, albeit carefully so. On its 2012 Predictions blog, Cassandra, the magazine hopes that Assad’s days are numbered.

“Could offers to reform still save the day? It seems unlikely: Bashar’s proposals so far have been too little and too late—and in the meantime more and more of the armed forces are defecting and some are attacking the regime. Cassandra suspects that Bashar’s regime will not survive through 2012, and may not even survive through 2011.”

Adding to Assad’s worries are new reports that long-time key supporter Iran may be backing away from the regime. The Telegraph writes:

“Iranian officials have held talks with Syrian opposition leaders, in a dramatic sign of the growing isolation of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. [...] Iran's leaders have backed President Assad, its key regional ally. [...] But even [Iranian] President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has shown signs of becoming frustrated with Mr Assad.”

The Council on Foreign Relations notes that this is time to ‘accelerate Assad’s departure’ by helping establish alliances between the different groups, who might not be enthused with the current regime but remain wary of what could replace it.

“The international community should do more to encourage the Syrian National Council [...] left to its own devices, the SNC will not be able to reach out to the significant minority groups that remain fearful that a post-Assad Syria will offer no protections for them.”

The international community generally condemn events in Syria, but a unified response is not in the cards currently. Despite being urged from several sides, NATO is still ruling out military intervention.

Transcript by Newsy.