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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Syria hits out at 'terrorist' US | Syria hits out at 'terrorist' US |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Syria's foreign minister has accused the US of an act of "criminal and terrorist aggression" over what it says was a helicopter raid on its territory. | Syria's foreign minister has accused the US of an act of "criminal and terrorist aggression" over what it says was a helicopter raid on its territory. |
| Walid Muallem said Sunday's attack saw four US aircraft travel eight miles inside Syrian airspace from Iraq and kill eight unarmed civilians on a farm. | Walid Muallem said Sunday's attack saw four US aircraft travel eight miles inside Syrian airspace from Iraq and kill eight unarmed civilians on a farm. |
| He said those who died were a father and his three children, a farm guard and his wife, and a fisherman. | He said those who died were a father and his three children, a farm guard and his wife, and a fisherman. |
| The US has not confirmed or denied the alleged raid. | The US has not confirmed or denied the alleged raid. |
| However, a unnamed US official was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying that its forces had mounted a "successful" raid against foreign fighters threatening US forces in Iraq. | However, a unnamed US official was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying that its forces had mounted a "successful" raid against foreign fighters threatening US forces in Iraq. |
| The US has previously accused Syria of allowing militants into Iraq, but Mr Muallem insisted his country was trying to tighten border controls. | The US has previously accused Syria of allowing militants into Iraq, but Mr Muallem insisted his country was trying to tighten border controls. |
| 'An opportunity' | 'An opportunity' |
| Speaking at a news conference in London, Mr Muallem said the raid on the town of Abu Kamal was "not a mistake" and that he had urged the Iraqi government to investigate. | Speaking at a news conference in London, Mr Muallem said the raid on the town of Abu Kamal was "not a mistake" and that he had urged the Iraqi government to investigate. |
| In pictures: Grief and anger in SyriaSyria fears damage to Europe ties | In pictures: Grief and anger in SyriaSyria fears damage to Europe ties |
| "We consider this criminal and terrorist aggression. We put the responsibility on the American government," he told reporters following talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband. | "We consider this criminal and terrorist aggression. We put the responsibility on the American government," he told reporters following talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband. |
| He added: "All of them [the victims] are civilians, Syrian, unarmed and they are on the Syrian territories. | He added: "All of them [the victims] are civilians, Syrian, unarmed and they are on the Syrian territories. |
| "Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression." | "Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression." |
| Asked if Syria would use force if a similar operation was mounted, he said: "As long as you are saying if, I tell you, if they do it again, we will defend our terrorities." | Asked if Syria would use force if a similar operation was mounted, he said: "As long as you are saying if, I tell you, if they do it again, we will defend our terrorities." |
| Referring to the US presidential election, he said: "We hope the coming administration will learn the mistakes of this administration." | Referring to the US presidential election, he said: "We hope the coming administration will learn the mistakes of this administration." |
| Mr Muallem and Mr Miliband were scheduled to hold a joint press conference, but Mr Miliband withdrew. The UK government has declined to comment on the raid. | Mr Muallem and Mr Miliband were scheduled to hold a joint press conference, but Mr Miliband withdrew. The UK government has declined to comment on the raid. |
| The US official quoted by AFP said: "Look when you've got an opportunity, an important one, you take it. | The US official quoted by AFP said: "Look when you've got an opportunity, an important one, you take it. |
| "That's what the American people would expect, particularly when it comes to foreign fighters going into Iraq, threatening our forces." | "That's what the American people would expect, particularly when it comes to foreign fighters going into Iraq, threatening our forces." |
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| Exclusive BBC footage of the site of the alleged raid |