[On Aug. 2, the European Union expanded its sanctions on the Assadregime. In the latest move, the EU added Syrian Defense Minister Ali Habib,Syrian military intelligence commander Mohammed Moufleh, internal securitychief Maj. Gen. Tawfiq Yunis and two others to an EU asset freeze and visa ban.] The statement, posted on YouTube, showed Assad surrounded by sevenpeople identified as officers. The colonel said the rebel military wouldtarget Assad's security forces, blamed for the killing of 1,800 civilianssince March.
"From now on, the security forces that kill civilians and besiege citieswill be treated as legitimate targets," Assad, named interim commander ofthe rebel force, said. "We will target them in all parts of the Syrianterritories without exception."
The others in the video were identified as Col. Ahmed Hijazi, nameddeputy rebel commander. Lt. Col. Abdul Satar Yunsu was said to have been thecommander of the Hamza Khatib Battalion; Capt. Ibrahim Majbur was namedchief of the Hurriya Battalion; and Capt. Ala Al Din was commander ofthe Qashush Battalion.
"We announce the formation of the Free Syrian Army to work hand-in-handwith the people to achieve freedom and dignity to bring this regime down,protect the revolution and the country's resources, and stand in the face ofthe irresponsible military machine that protects the regime," Assad said.
Opposition sources said hundreds of army soldiers and officers fledtheir units over the last three months. They said some of them have joinedthe revolt against Assad while others fled to neighboring Jordan, Lebanonand Turkey.
"We call on the numerous honorable officers in the Syrian Army toimmediately defect from, stop pointing their rifles at the people's chests,join the Free Army, and form a national army that can protect the revolutionand all sections of the Syrian people with all their sects," Assad said.
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