Yes,
Syria has a standing army of 220,000, with another 280,000 reservists. Thus, the approximately 15,000 deserters and the Syrian Free Army, under the leadership of Col. Riad Assad, is no real challenge to the Syrian military. Moreover, the deserters have neither tanks nor helicopters that would allow them to fight a regular battle against the army.
The deserters are using guerilla tactics that cause the army heavy losses but also give the army a pretext to use greater force against civilians. Major disagreements have erupted between the Syrian Free Army and the civil opposition, which continues to call for nonviolent protest.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/arab-league-mission-to-syria-has-nothing-to-do-with-saving-lives-1.402830