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| Syria-Lebanon |
| US probes Syria bombing claim |
| 2003-06-24 |
| EFL A US attack on a convoy that was believed to have been carrying Iraqi leaders may have taken place inside neighbouring Syria, a Pentagon official has admitted. Oops! At least five Syrian border guards were injured in the attack, which was carried out by US special forces backed by aircraft. US military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gary Keck said the US was working with the Syrian Government to determine precisely where the attack occurred. You don't have a GPS fix on the location? Or is the exact location of the border what's in doubt? There has been no official comment from Damascus but a spokesperson at the Syrian Foreign Ministry told BBC News Online that a statement would be released later on Tuesday. Syria has been under intense pressure from America since the war in Iraq not to provide sanctuary to Saddam Hussein or any other Iraqi fugitives. US special forces, backed by AC-130 gunships and helicopters, took part in the attack on the convoy near the western Iraqi city of Qaim, close to the Syrian border, five days ago. An unmanned aircraft, or drone, was also involved in the operation. US defence officials said a number of people had been killed in the attack. Officials said 20 people in the convoy were arrested and questioned, but most were subsequently released. Intelligence reports had apparently suggested that the convoy was carrying ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and at least one of his sons, Uday and Qusay. There has been widespread speculation that the attack was an attempt to kill Saddam Hussein. But the Americans have said there is no evidence that he was among those killed. More bad intel? It is unclear how the Syrian border guards came to be involved. Maybe because you crossed the border and they didn't like it? |
| Posted by:Steve |