TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS**NONE**~
A rebel soldier in Syria calls on government forces to defect.
He says if you want to defect -- take down this phone number.
It does little to stop the fighting.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FIELD OFFICER IN THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY, ABU BADEI, SAYING:
"We urge our brothers, the soldiers, who are living under pressure and amidst killings -- who are serving the murderous and corrupt regime -- to defect for their own safety. And we are prepared to protect them. We are prepared to help them reach their families."
Video obtained by Reuters shows rebel forces preparing to fight in hopes if gaining control of a town just outside Aleppo.
This comes as the government army appears to have made gains in the north.
Syria's uprising is the bloodiest and longest of Arab revolts that erupted more than two years ago.
It began with peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad -- and descended into a civil war costing the
