The desertions bring to 24 the number of SLA members who have defected since Monday.

BBC: Beaufort Castle

But they are likely to remain weak, disorganised and prone to desertions and infiltration.

ECONOMIST: The calm before the storm | The

India's media is awash with reports of alleged defections and desertions among MPs ahead of the vote.

BBC: India MPs hold vote of confidence

He argued these high-profile desertions would shake the hierarchical structure of the groups and weaken the scene from within.

BBC: Plan to combat neo-Nazis 'failing'

For a force of 100, 000 already facing serious manpower constraints and a rising toll in desertions, that will not be easy.

CNN: THE ROAD OF NO RETURN

Compared to the Gulf war, the coalition has taken few prisoners, though it claims that desertions are making up some of the difference.

ECONOMIST: War in Iraq: Off with his head | The

Last year the defence ministry adopted a new policy that measures the army's success by the number of guerrilla captures or desertions, rather than the body count.

ECONOMIST: Not that hard, when any body will do

But other factors, like rising fuel prices and the proposed acquisition of US Airways, along with a trimmed flight schedule and customer desertions, kept the stock grounded.

FORBES: United We Fall

But other factors, such as rising fuel prices and the proposed acquisition of US Airways, along with a trimmed flight schedule and customer desertions, kept the stock grounded.

FORBES: United We Fall

Al-Maliki called the operation in the oil-rich southern city a success Thursday but said it exposed weaknesses in the security forces, including operational snafus and troop desertions that he said will be addressed and reviewed.

CNN: Al-Sadr offers to help Iraqi security forces

The 5th Corps' combat strength was estimated at 30, 000 troops when the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began March 20, but it is unknown what toll heavy airstrikes and desertions have taken on its three infantry divisions and one mechanized infantry division, U.S. military sources told CNN.

CNN: Coalition makes key advances in northern Iraq

Desertion was a serious problem in ETO, partly because it was relatively easy to do in Europe (there were no desertions on the Pacific islands), partly because of the never-ending nature of the combat, partly because the Army tried to get deserters back to their outfits and give them a second chance, meaning deserters could figure there wouldn't be any punishment if they were caught.

CNN: Private Ryan was a hero, but there were bums, too