Defectors from the Syrian army ambushed and killed dozens of soldiers and security forces in the province of Daraa, Monday.

As many as 34 soldiers were killed in the attack, according to recent reports. The soldiers were among the more than 90 people killed across the Middle Eastern country that same day.

The attack suggests a new confidence among troops who have sided with the protesters trying to end the regime of President Bashar Assad.

Assad is facing the most severe challenge ever to his family's 40-year rule of Syria.

The latest attack could also mean more violent confrontations between protestors and government forces.

The United Nations estimated Assad's military crackdown killed 3,500 people in eight months of the revolt.

November is shaping up to be the bloodiest month with more than 300 people killed so far.

The latest death toll was compiled by the Associated Press from sources including British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Local Coordination Committees activist coalition and morgue officials.