Defection of Syrian soldiers and officers

Western and Arab (Saudi adn Qatari) media are so desperate for any news that is damaging to the Syrian regime that they play up the "news" of youtube-based defection of individual soldiers or officers.  That is really not news worthy, when you talk about a half-million man army.  In Yemen, whole brigade or battalions or units defect, as is the case with key military defections.  Even the New York Times and other Western media report the defection of one soldier.  That is silly.  Even the Economist reported on one defection, and even assumed that the guy (whose last name is Tlas) was from the family of Mustafa Tlas.  That was funny.