Tensions between Turkey and Syria are growing as the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues to strain the neighboring countries’ ties. Turkey says 33 more members of the Syrian military have defected, including a general and two colonels. The group is reportedly being hosted at a refugee camp near Turkey’s border with Syria. The news comes days after Syrian forces shot down a Turkish fighter jet in what Turkey says was international airspace. The U.N. observer mission, meanwhile, remains idle amid continuing violence throughout Syria. Earlier today, the head of the mission, Robert Mood, said he had met with both sides but that the observers will stay on the sidelines.

Robert Mood: “We haven’t made that decision yet, but I was able today to have a meeting, a good meeting, professional meeting, with the deputy minister of foreign affairs and the working groups. I conveyed my impressions from New York and Geneva, after having briefed the Security Council and after having discussed with Kofi Annan.”