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Syrias army is too large and too well equipped, and recent defections not nearly important enough to slow the growing crisis there, US intelligence experts told The Washington Post today.

Diplomatic pressure on President Bashar al-Assad is having little effect, the officials said, and the only hope for a quick resolution to the bloodshed is economic sanctions.

That leadership is going to fight very hard, one official said in The Post. The odds are against them, but they are going to fight very hard.

In the most comprehensive, telling comments since the Syrian uprising began a year ago, three senior US intelligence experts said those closest to Assad are remaining steadfast.

More from GlobalPost: Syria: Kofi Annan's call for talks rejected

The experts said the Syrian army has increased its attacks on civilian sites such as mosques, hospitals and schools to kill Free Syrian Army forces they believe are hiding there.

Restraint has been lifted, one official said, according to The Post.

CNN said recent defections from Assads government and military are having little effect, and there are reports Al Qaeda is complicating the situation by infiltrating opposition forces.

US experts dont know the extent of Al Qaedas presence, CNN said, and arent sure the terrorist organization is even welcomed in Syria.

Poor organization is hampering the uprising, the officials said, and poor communications make it difficult to mount a sustained attack.

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Assad regime in control, US intelligence says