Syrian Troops Kill Defector

One of the most prominent army officials who joined the rebel forces was killed Monday

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AP

Smoke rises after a mortar shell hits a rebel position during clashes in Kfar Lata, Oct. 3, 2013.

Syrian government forces have killed a prominent army defector who became a rebel leader, according to opposition activists and state television.

Yasser al-Abboud was one of the first high-ranking Syrian army officers to publicly defect and join the rebel forces trying to oust President Bashar Assad. He was killed Monday during fighting in the town of Tafas, the Associated Press reports.

The Syrian civil war has killed more 100,000 people so far, according to some estimates.

[Associated Press]