US Attacks Syrian Border Town Killing Eight

MrBrian
MrBrian Posts: 2,672
edited October 2008 in A Moving Train
Posted October 26, 2008

Updated 10/26 6:20 PM EST

In a report from local witnesses later confirmed by a Syrian government spokesman, Two US helicopters landed in the Syrian border town of Al-Sukkariya while others remained in the air and eight American soldiers exited. The soldiers killed at least eight people in the attack, and wounded 14 others before reboarding the helicopters and returning to Iraqi territory.

The US military has yet to officially confirm the strike, the first US strike on Syrian soil, but an unnamed US official confirmed the strike, saying that due to Syrian inaction they were now “taking matters into our own hands” with regards to foreign fighters.

Israel’s Channel 10 reports that unnamed western defense officials told them that the troops were carrying out a military operation against “al-Qaeda activists” in Syria. Witnesses say those killed were construction workers.

It has been speculated that the attack might be related to US military operations in the area, but there really haven’t been any. Major General John Kelly described security incidents in that area of Iraq as “almost meaningless now” and was reportedly optimistic about cutting troops in the area.

The attack comes as particularly surprising considering the US was reported earlier this month to be mulling lifting sanctions against Syria in light of their indirect peace talks with Israel. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem had said there was “good progress” in a dialogue aimed at improving US-Syrian relations. Syria has reportedly summoned the US Charges d’Affaires to officially complain about what it calls an attack on its sovereignty
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun
    LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun Posts: 6,097
    that would be a big deal if true.
  • MrBrian
    MrBrian Posts: 2,672
    LONDON - Syria's foreign minister is describing a raid by U.S. forces inside Syrian territory as an act of "criminal and terrorist aggression."

    Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem also warns that if there is a repeat of the weekend raid Syria will "defend our territories." Al-Moallem was in London on Monday for talks with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband

    Syria says U.S. troops in four helicopters attacked a building in a village about eight kilometres from the Iraqi border and killed eight people, including four children.


    The U.S. military says it was targeting al-Qaida-linked foreign fighters infiltrating Iraq through Syria.

    http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/081027/world/syria_unrest_us_britain_fm_1

    http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081027/world/syria_us_raid_6

    ---

    Looks like it's true, let's see what happens.
  • Carlos D
    Carlos D Posts: 638
    Funny how this happens just days away from the election and with McCain trailing in the polls.....
    It may be the devil or it may be the Lord
    But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

    www.bebo.com/pearljam06
  • RolandTD20Kdrummer
    RolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    Heard about this the other day. PNAC seems to be coming along nicely.
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

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  • PJ_Saluki
    PJ_Saluki Posts: 1,006
    Bush Doctrine
    "Almost all those politicians took money from Enron, and there they are holding hearings. That's like O.J. Simpson getting in the Rae Carruth jury pool." -- Charles Barkley
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    I see no problem with it.
  • Vedderlution_Baby
    Vedderlution_Baby Posts: 2,535
    ...
  • Drowned Out
    Drowned Out Posts: 6,056
    MrSmith wrote:
    that would be a big deal if true.
    By whose standards?
    Didn't see many people fretting over Pakistans' border being breached...doubt this will be any different.

    Was wondering if this would be it's own thread, or show up in the "How not to end terrorism" thread...same ol same ol...
  • PJ_Saluki
    PJ_Saluki Posts: 1,006
    unsung wrote:
    I see no problem with it.

    Lemme get this straight: You've got a Ron Paul quote as your sig stating that both major candidates -- McCain and Obama -- are equally hawkish, but you write that you have no problem with this? Does your sig imply that it's a good thing for both pols to be hawkish? Do you think neither is war-hungry enough? Are you commenting negatively on one or both candidates?

    I guess it's just a different point of view, but I have a big problem with all of this. The U.S. should not be in Iraq. We're there. Syria has never been friendly, is located next to Iraq, and has now been raided by U.S. troops. There are possible civilian casualties. Pres. Bush went on his own to load up troops in Iraq with the surge and the military is now inciting more violence with neighboring countries.

    There is a problem.
    "Almost all those politicians took money from Enron, and there they are holding hearings. That's like O.J. Simpson getting in the Rae Carruth jury pool." -- Charles Barkley
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    I'm for eliminating al-qaeda, wherever they are.

    I'm not for being in Iraq and never have been.
  • sponger
    sponger Posts: 3,159
    I heard about this on the radio. Apparently, the US soldiers had originally planned to blow themselves up in a crowded area, but then changed their minds after realizing that their Christian faith would not provide them with 72 virgins in the afterlife.
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
  • MrBrian
    MrBrian Posts: 2,672
    unsung wrote:
    I'm for eliminating al-qaeda, wherever they are.

    and if some al qaeda was found living in whatever city/town you are in right now, you would be for the US landing helicopters and gunning the town up? Dropping some bombs? killing some kids?

    Does your thinking then change? Or like you said in an earier post, "I see no problem with it"
  • PJ_Saluki
    PJ_Saluki Posts: 1,006
    unsung wrote:
    I'm for eliminating al-qaeda, wherever they are.

    I'm not for being in Iraq and never have been.

    A-Q is now in Iraq thanks to Bush and a Congress filled with cowards.
    "Almost all those politicians took money from Enron, and there they are holding hearings. That's like O.J. Simpson getting in the Rae Carruth jury pool." -- Charles Barkley
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    MrBrian wrote:
    and if some al qaeda was found living in whatever city/town you are in right now, you would be for the US landing helicopters and gunning the town up? Dropping some bombs? killing some kids?

    Does your thinking then change? Or like you said in an earier post, "I see no problem with it"


    That would be a good plot for a new movie. I'm thinking Will Smith can play Barry. Maybe it would be a good plot for the 24 movie. Huh?
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    PJ_Saluki wrote:
    A-Q is now in Iraq thanks to Bush and a Congress filled with cowards.


    Indeed.
  • PJ_Saluki
    PJ_Saluki Posts: 1,006
    This is petty, but I can't resist using the Colbert method of editing:
    unsung wrote:
    I'm for eliminating al-qaeda, wherever they are.

    I'm not for being in Iraq and never have been.

    So, if you're for eliminating A-Q where ever they are, and if they're in Iraq, doesn't that mean that you are now for being in Iraq?
    unsung wrote:
    Indeed.
    "Almost all those politicians took money from Enron, and there they are holding hearings. That's like O.J. Simpson getting in the Rae Carruth jury pool." -- Charles Barkley
  • MrBrian
    MrBrian Posts: 2,672
    unsung wrote:
    That would be a good plot for a new movie. I'm thinking Will Smith can play Barry. Maybe it would be a good plot for the 24 movie. Huh?

    No smart reply, so you try and make some joke.

    Really, I was expecting more from you.
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    MrBrian wrote:
    No smart reply, so you try and make some joke.

    Really, I was expecting more from you.


    Well I didn't think it was a serious question. When is that last time anything like that took place here? We have systems set up where we are in place, not remotely targeting them because we are unable to set up shop.

    The way things are now is that countries are not our real enemies, it is becoming radical populations within countries. The only real reason a country is mentioned is for geography. Now Iraq of course throws that a bit out of whack but it is a special screwed up situation. I don't know what the right answer is there.

    I do believe al-qaeda was probably not there when we got there and because of our actions that have set up operations. However do we just leave now and give them the rule of the land? I don't believe that is the answer either.
  • unsung
    unsung I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    PJ_Saluki wrote:
    This is petty, but I can't resist using the Colbert method of editing:



    So, if you're for eliminating A-Q where ever they are, and if they're in Iraq, doesn't that mean that you are now for being in Iraq?


    Interpret it however you decide to mangle it.
  • sponger
    sponger Posts: 3,159
    MrBrian wrote:
    and if some al qaeda was found living in whatever city/town you are in right now, you would be for the US landing helicopters and gunning the town up? Dropping some bombs? killing some kids?


    If the overwhelming majority of people in my neighborhood were supplying, sheltering, and acting as look-outs for Al Qeada, I would move to a different neighborhood.
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825

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