Syria: U.S. Attack Kills 8 In Border Area

Helicopters Raid Farm In Syrian Village; Al Qaeda Officer Was Target Of Rare Cross-Border Attack

(CBS/AP)  U.S. military helicopters launched an extremely rare attack Sunday on Syrian territory close to the border with Iraq, killing eight people in a strike the government in Damascus condemned as "serious aggression."

A U.S. military official said the raid by special forces targeted the foreign fighter network that travels through Syria into Iraq. The Americans have been unable to shut the network down in the area because Syria was out of the military's reach.

"We are taking matters into our own hands," the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the political sensitivity of cross-border raids.

CBS News Correspondent Thalia Assuras reports that the attack came just days after the commander of U.S. forces in western Iraq said American troops were redoubling efforts to secure the Syrian border, which he called an "uncontrolled" gateway for fighters entering Iraq.

Another U.S. Military source told Assuras that the leader of the foreign fighters, an al Qaeda officer, was the target of Sunday's cross-border raid. Although that source told CBS News the attack was successful, he stopped short of saying that the terrorist was among those killed in the raid.

A Syrian government statement said the helicopters attacked the Sukkariyeh Farm near the town of Abu Kamal, five miles inside the Syrian border. Four helicopters attacked a civilian building under construction shortly before sundown and fired on workers inside, the statement said.

The government said civilians were among the dead, including four children.

A resident of the nearby village of Hwijeh said some of the helicopters landed and troops exited the aircraft and fired on a building. He said the aircraft flew along the Euphrates River into the area of farms and several brick factories. The witness spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information,

Syria's Foreign Ministry said it summoned the charges d'affaires of the United States and Iraq to protest against the strike.

"Syria condemns this aggression and holds the American forces responsible for this aggression and all its repercussions. Syria also calls on the Iraqi government to shoulder its responsibilities and launch and immediate investigation into this serious violation and prevent the use of Iraqi territory for aggression against Syria," the government statement said.

The area targeted is near the Iraqi border city of Qaim, which had been a major crossing point for fighters, weapons and money coming into Iraq to fuel the Sunni insurgency.

Iraqi travelers making their way home across the border reported hearing many explosions, said Farhan al-Mahalawi, mayor of Qaim.

On Thursday, U.S. Maj. Gen. John Kelly said Iraq's western borders with Saudi Arabia and Jordan were fairly tight as a result of good policing by security forces in those countries but that Syria was a "different story."

"The Syrian side is, I guess, uncontrolled by their side," Kelly said. "We still have a certain level of foreign fighter movement."

He added that the U.S. was helping construct a sand berm and ditches along the border.

"There hasn't been much, in the way of a physical barrier, along that border for years," Kelly said.

The foreign fighters network sends militants from North Africa and elsewhere in the Middle East to Syria, where elements of the Syrian military are in league with al Qaeda and loyalists of Saddam Hussein's Baath party, the U.S. military official said.

He said that while American forces have had considerable success, with Iraqi help, in shutting down the "rat lines" in Iraq, and with foreign government help in North Africa, the Syrian node has been out of reach.

"The one piece of the puzzle we have not been showing success on is the nexus in Syria," the official said.

The White House in August approved similar special forces raids from Afghanistan across the border of Pakistan to target al Qaeda and Taliban operatives. At least one has been carried out.

The flow of foreign fighters into Iraq has been cut to an estimated 20 a month, a senior U.S. military intelligence official told the Associated Press in July. That's a 50 percent decline from six months ago, and just a fifth of the estimated 100 foreign fighters who were infiltrating Iraq a year ago, according to the official.

Ninety percent of the foreign fighters enter through Syria, according to U.S. intelligence. Foreigners are some of the most deadly fighters in Iraq, trained in bomb-making and with small-arms expertise and more likely to be willing suicide bombers than Iraqis.

Foreign fighters toting cash have been al Qaeda in Iraq's chief source of income. They contributed more than 70 percent of operating budgets in one sector in Iraq, according to documents captured in September 2007 on the Syrian border. Most of the fighters were conveyed through professional smuggling networks, according to the report.

Iraqi insurgents seized Qaim in April 2005, forcing U.S. Marines to recapture the town the following month in heavy fighting. The area became secure only after Sunni tribes in Anbar turned against al Qaeda in late 2006 and joined forces with the Americans.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem accused the United States earlier this year of not giving his country the equipment needed to prevent foreign fighters from crossing into Iraq. He said Washington feared Syria could use such equipment against Israel.

Though Syria has long been viewed by the U.S. as a destabilizing country in the Middle East, in recent months, Damascus has been trying to change its image and end years of global seclusion.

Its president, Bashar Assad, has pursued indirect peace talks with Israel, mediated by Turkey, and says he wants direct talks next year. Syria also has agreed to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon, a country it used to dominate both politically and militarily, and has worked harder at stemming the flow of militants into Iraq.

The U.S. military in Baghdad did not immediately respond to a request for comment after Sunday's raid.

[Redoubt]

Before anyone bites on this, I hope someone from the army or marines will speak up and get the story straight.

[jellolion]

expansion of the war into Cambodia... ooops- Syria

[jellolion]

of course, yes yes of course consruction workers are terrorists. There is no question about that.

[claydowner]

I believe that America''s long term occupation of Iraq has been the cause of much of the cross border terrorism. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Muslim Arabs feel religiously insulted by our prolonged military presence in Iraq so they strike back with terrorism. We counter the terrorism with raids or air strikes on neighboring countries whether in Afghanistan or Syria. The cycle of killing, warfare, and terrorism reaches a state of perpetual motion. Leaving death, suffering, and misery behind each oscillation.

How can we stop the perpetual motion machine of warfare, terrorism, and violence? Getting out of Iraq is an obvious but superficial answer. We need to totally eliminate all imported oil from the Middle East. We can make capital investments into immediate implementation of the Pickens energy plan. We need windfarms on the Plains, solar plants in the desert Southwest, and cars that get 50 MPG. The technology exists to do all of these things immediately. What we are lacking is leadership. As long as we import 7 out of 10 gallons of fuel from places like the Middle East we are providing job security for funeral directors, artificial limb makers, and wheel chair manufacturers. I served in the Persian Gulf war and helped support other wars in 20 years of service. The importation of oil from the Middle East is a permanent death spiral for America. When in the name of God are we going to change?

[truthspeake2]

I have to admit, I''ve been expecting this sort of thing (and worse) to happen between now and November 4th and although I can''t prove it, was directed by the current administration to help McSame with those dillusional Americans that believe the US is safer when Republicans are in charge. After all, what else do they have left in their Rovian political playbook and besides, this incident only cost 8 lives but is intended to stir a "military" dust storm and probably will. Come on, 2 helicopters 10 miles into Syrian territory...at least they could have been somewhat more creative because the dumbing-down of America is over!

[fluidiq]

The Sunni Awakening was organized enough that by January 2007 Bush announced the "Surge" strategy. The neocons took advantage of a domestic purge of Al Qaeda that started months before the call for the "Surge" in 2007. Now the US Military is cutting the bankroll to the Sunnis'' and sentencing most of them to death by either accidentally killing those suspected of being Al Qaeda or turning them in to the al-Maliki Government. The stemming of arms to the Sunnis'' is another effective death sentence.

There should be more coverage of the Bush tactical treachery in Iraq. Another faction out of the way to simplify Iraqi oil negotiations.

[dbor77]

This is such an obvious and pathetic attempt by the Bush administration to help John McCain. This is really taking it too far for even them. They want to put the U.S. in a nation security crisis just in time for the election so McCain will win.

[guatom]

The US is reported to have 62% of the world supply of shale oil reserves, most of which is on federally owned land. This is several times the quantity of all the currently exploited in the world and it can be produced at less than $30 a barrel over the long haul. It would be made in America. Do we really need to be in Iraq, or for that matter, any other part of the world where we are not welcome. I don''t think so and I have come to hope that the American people will come to believe the same way as I do.

[eddom949]

God bless the troops, and may they sing ''Yes Lord! Yes!'' as they did going in!

God, I hope this isn''t the October surprise.

[smurfcrusher]

"Helicopters Reportedly Raid Farm In Syrian Village"

They needed some veggies.

[windmaster12]

When Your Losing in the Polls
Wag the Dog
Wave the Flag

Create an International Situation
To rally the People around the Moron
Bush Mcain and Palin
The Three Stooges!!!

[truthspeake2]

I have to admit, I''''ve been expecting this sort of thing (and worse) to happen between now and November 4th and although I can''''t prove it, would bet that it was created and directed by the current administration to help McSame with those dillusional Americans that believe the US is safer when Republicans are in charge. After all, what else do they have left in their Rovian political playbook and besides, this incident only cost 8 lives but is intended to stir a "military" dust storm and probably will. Come on, 2 helicopters 10 miles into Syrian territory...at least they could have been somewhat more creative because the dumbing-down of America is over!

[highlander60]

Wind (i am not the master 12 of anything), you are full of HOT AIR!

[ubrew12]

Thanks to our kick *ss military equipment, esp. our Predator drones, we can do whatever we want in the Middle East.

That doesn''t mean we should...

[cdfoxtrot4]

Is this the moron-in-chief trying to stir up some kind of international crisis a week before the election, all to help McSame win? The Republican scumbags will stop at nothing to hold on to power.

[ubrew12]

guatom said: "The US is reported to have 62% of the world supply of shale oil reserves, most of which is on federally owned land. This is several times the quantity of all the currently exploited in the world"

True dat. Add in whats offshore and in Canada in the form of oil sands, also Pickens Plan on nat gas/wind, and there''s no reason to be in the Middle East.

Why are we there, then? Not for Americans.

This is about empire. Its as much for the rulers of Saudi Arabia as ordinary Americans. Its about empire, global empire, NOT energy self-sufficiency.

[closethippy1]

Syria has deployed large numbers of security staff and they have chekpoints every four kilometres along the border. The Syrians have stopped five or six thousand people trying to cross the Syria-Iraq border throughout the last few years.
What more can they do? They also did the US and Iraq a favor when just a few weeks ago they established an embassy in Iraq and sent an embassador over there.
I also don''t understand how is it possible for the US to send terror suspects to Syria so they can torture them for us and then the US attacks Syria?
The US is so blatant in trying to have it both ways in the Middle East it''s not even funny.
I hope the Syrians will forgive the US for this.

[downsteamjim]

Closethippy: How often do you visit the Syrian-Iraq border? Do you work for the Syrians or Al Quaeda?

[Thomas1016]

Is this the moron-in-chief trying to stir up some kind of international crisis a week before the election, all to help McSame win? The Republican scumbags will stop at nothing to hold on to power.

Posted by cdfoxtrot4 at 05:54 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Lol, you socialist liberals are never happy. I wonder how happy your going to be if Obama does the same thing on a bigger scale then even now like he has promised to do to Pakistan. I bet your criticism will be A LOT more muted.

[smurfcrusher]

"guatom said: "The US is reported to have 62% of the world supply of shale oil reserves, most of which is on federally owned land. This is several times the quantity of all the currently exploited in the world"

True dat. Add in whats offshore and in Canada in the form of oil sands, also Pickens Plan on nat gas/wind, and there''''s no reason to be in the Middle East.

Why are we there, then? Not for Americans.

This is about empire. Its as much for the rulers of Saudi Arabia as ordinary Americans. Its about empire, global empire, NOT energy self-sufficiency."

Posted by ubrew12

actually.... oil has much to do with it. Shale oil and oil sands are expensive in currency as well as severe environmental costs, to extract. Middle East oil is high quality , easily and cheaply exploited.

[edward1975-2009]

You allow terrorists to operate within your borders, stuff will occur.

[closethippy1]

We should always assume the US has Bad intentions.
Posted by ObieBoy at 06:45 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Excuse me, but why did you feel a need to add that last sentence to my post? Feeling sorry for yourself? Has life been a little rough on American fascists like you?
Time to do some growing up, boy.

[drivelphobe]

Instead of 8, it should have been 8 million.

[davegf]

THe #1 terrorist network in the world has just murdered innocent men, women and children AGAIN.

All invaders and their leaders should be caught and made to suffer exactly like theor victims.

Flag waving morons....please kill yourselves.

[grouchyjohn]

Is this the beginning of the "manufactured crisis" that is supposed to test the new president?

Or is this just another of Bush''s drunken ideas - start yet ANOTHER war, on yet another front, when we still haven''t finished either of the first two?

[druidfarmer]

I agree with killing more of them. Syria has never been our friend. They are a wellfare country. They want our money but won''t help us with securing thier part of the world. I say go in and wipe out the countries. This includes Iran!

[grouchyjohn]

Instead of 8, it should have been 8 million.

Posted by drivelphobe at 07:14 PM : Oct 26, 2008




For what reason, other than your xenophobic, bigoted hatred?

[grouchyjohn]

I agree with killing more of them. Syria has never been our friend. They are a wellfare country. They want our money but won''''t help us with securing thier part of the world. I say go in and wipe out the countries. This includes Iran!

Posted by DruidFarmer at 07:34 PM : Oct 26, 2008





Since when is it OUR responsibility to "secure their part of the world"?

How would you feel if China or Russia attempted to "secure our their part of the world" with their military?

[druidfarmer]

To Hacker101:

You are an ignorate uneducated fool. You should keep your opinions to yourself.

[grouchyjohn]

To Hacker101:

You are an ignorate uneducated fool. You should keep your opinions to yourself.

Posted by DruidFarmer at 07:40 PM : Oct 26, 2008





You''re calling for our military to commit genocide and exterminate two whole countries for no apparent reason, and you''re calling someone else "uneducated"?

[grouchyjohn]

GOOD....we need these losers off the planet.

Posted by ocguy64 at 07:57 PM : Oct 26, 2008




Are you referring to the innocent "female" losers, or the innocent "children" losers?

[tawpdawg111]

Now we wait and see if Assad falls for Babooshka''s trap. What do you suppose the chances are that a whole lot of lying is going on here?

[racam_us]

There soldiers and their commanders should be held on charges of killing civilians in a non-combat zone. Someone has to be held responsible and be made accountable. This can''t be just another headline. The order came from somewhere up high. I can''t believe the President didn''t approve this one. This may be the one that gets him IMPEACHED finally.

[sean5002]

************

ME THINKS someone wants to help John McCain change the TOPIC from the Economy.

STAY tune ! bet there is more foreign policy SHENANIGANS to come with only 9 days left.

[shoebox119]

America sees the world as its playground, it seems. Free to invade or attack from the air like cowards. My, what a brave nation we are.

[grouchyjohn]

There soldiers and their commanders should be held on charges of killing civilians in a non-combat zone. Someone has to be held responsible and be made accountable. This can''''t be just another headline. The order came from somewhere up high. I can''''t believe the President didn''''t approve this one. This may be the one that gets him IMPEACHED finally.

Posted by racam_us at 08:08 PM : Oct 26, 2008





He''ll be out of office in three months.

What are you hoping for impeachment for?

[HoneeyPooooh]

I don''t always agree on our war efforts in foreign countries. However, I do support and believe that something can and should be done to help protect our soldiers. For example when our troops are searching for roadside bombs as they were over the Pakistan border why are there not remote operated vehicles proceeding the vehicle the soldiers are riding in?! This would surely cost, but at least it will not cost the lives of our brave and usually young soldiers who are serving in our armed forces.

[edintex]

All of you bleeding hearts on here that are calling for US soldiers to be held or tried or Bush to be impeached for this attack CANNOT POSSIBLY be Americans. All Americans know that we do not, as a policy, target civilians on purpose. If civilians were hit, its because they were near their "brave" terrorist father when HE was hit.
You complainers must be affiliated or otherwise aligned with one of the middle east muslim nations that HATE America.
Well, you all really need to go take a LONG bath and TRY to scub that STINK off of you, if its possible. Nobody can stand being around you nut cases.

[tfcrow]

Bush and Israel are starting WW3 so Obama won''t win.

[edintex]

Bush and Israel are starting WW3 so Obama won''''t win.
Posted by tfcrow52 at 09:57 PM : Oct 26, 2008

If WW3 does start, Obama wouln''t WANT to win and then inherit Bushs mess. As a matter of fact, why would ANYBODY want to inherit the current Bush messes? Would it be worth all that trouble just to be president? NO THANKS.

[jghutto]

These types of situations are serious matters, matters that Obama is absolutely not prepared to handle. John McCain knows what war is like and he hates war. I trust him to keep us safe and out of war. Do you think he would like his son to have to suffer as a prisoner of war for 6 years as he did.

[bailmeout1]

It is because Bush is an idiot. He should have scheduled meetings the day after 9-11 with every border to Iraq country, and said "I will tell you once, seal up your borders." and then just left. You people seem to think there are rules in this war. McCain would have handled it right. Same thing with Pakistan. Sad that children had to die of course, that is the choice the terrorists made. Those people on 9-11 in the Twin Towers were on no ones border. So frig it.

[brianp55]

About time.

[edintex]

If Syrian troops attacked a small farm ten miles inside California''''s border, what would the US response be?
Posted by Sky_Five at 10:26 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Like most America haters, you convienently forgot to say the WHOLE story. It goes like this:

If Mexico (or Syria) allowed terrorists (or AlQuieda)to stage attacks on US soldiers inside the US (or Iraq) and allowed suicide bombers (or America haters) to cross into the US (or Iraq) to blow up innocent Americans (or Iraqis), what do you think America would do? Do you think we would DEMAND that our military go INSIDE Mexico (or Syria) to stop it once and for all?

Did you get it? I hope that wasn''t too much for you to wrap your head around.

[bailmeout1]

"Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem accused the United States earlier this year of not giving his country the equipment needed to prevent foreign fighters from crossing into Iraq."

How is this sentence even possible? This is totally beyond belief!

[karronna]

Well I definitely wouldn''t trust John McCain to handle this. Remember what a coward he was during that USS Forestal fiasco ? His plane that was on deck, acidentally dropped bombs and started a series of explosions. While many others were fighting for their lives and trying to save the lives of others, (over 100 died) - he scurried below deck to watch them on closed circuit TV from officer''s break room. When the worst was over and clean up (and at sea burials had begun)...he hitched a ride to Hanoi with a NY Times reporter for some "much needed" R&R. Real bravery, eh?

[edintex]

"Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem accused the United States earlier this year of not giving his country the equipment needed to prevent foreign fighters from crossing into Iraq."
Posted by bailmeout1 at 10:52 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Seems to me that there has been MANY reports of Russia and Iran arming Syria over the past year or so. But just like the rest of the world, Syria has got their hand stretched out for US money. The only thing the US should give Syria is many many used bombs delivered via overnight air mail.

[o_the_potus]

Wag the dog. Scare the weak and feeble-minded into voting for McShame. I don''t think it''s going to work.

[bailmeout1]

"Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem accused the United States earlier this year of not giving his country the equipment needed to prevent foreign fighters from crossing into Iraq."
Posted by bailmeout1 at 10:52 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Seems to me that there has been MANY reports of Russia and Iran arming Syria over the past year or so. But just like the rest of the world, Syria has got their hand stretched out for US money. The only thing the US should give Syria is many many used bombs delivered via overnight air mail.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by edintex at 11:08 PM : Oct 26, 2008

I guess. I am looking at the level though. How does it go from wanting something, or asking for it, all the way to "accusing of not giving it". And then it shoots through the moon by even saying it out loud, and then beyond that, to the press. This whole thing of us giving to the world, only to be hated for it should be the first thing to go in a new economy plan. We have US citizens suffering with terminal illness and we keep on giving money to this crackpot region? All parties included.