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| Syria raid 'killed major target' | Syria raid 'killed major target' |
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| A US helicopter raid into Syria killed a key figure involved in the smuggling of foreign fighters into Iraq, unnamed US officials have said. | A US helicopter raid into Syria killed a key figure involved in the smuggling of foreign fighters into Iraq, unnamed US officials have said. |
| Officials called the raid, which they said killed Iraqi Abu Ghadiyah, a "success". The White House has neither confirmed nor denied the incident. | Officials called the raid, which they said killed Iraqi Abu Ghadiyah, a "success". The White House has neither confirmed nor denied the incident. |
| Syria has condemned Sunday's attack as an act of "terrorist aggression". | Syria has condemned Sunday's attack as an act of "terrorist aggression". |
| It says eight unarmed civilians were killed near Abu Kamal, about eight kilometres (five miles) inside Syria. | It says eight unarmed civilians were killed near Abu Kamal, about eight kilometres (five miles) inside Syria. |
| If confirmed, this would be the first US attack in Syria since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. | If confirmed, this would be the first US attack in Syria since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. |
| 'Criminal action' | 'Criminal action' |
| One US official told Reuters news agency Abu Ghadiyah was a former lieutenant of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who was killed in 2006. | One US official told Reuters news agency Abu Ghadiyah was a former lieutenant of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who was killed in 2006. |
| In pictures: Grief and anger in SyriaSyria fears damage to Europe ties | In pictures: Grief and anger in SyriaSyria fears damage to Europe ties |
| "It was a successful operation. [Abu Ghadiyah] is believed to be dead. This undoubtedly will have a debilitating effect on this foreign fighter smuggling network," the official said. | "It was a successful operation. [Abu Ghadiyah] is believed to be dead. This undoubtedly will have a debilitating effect on this foreign fighter smuggling network," the official said. |
| A second official told the agency that only people the forces considered a threat had been targeted and that women and children were alive when the team left. | A second official told the agency that only people the forces considered a threat had been targeted and that women and children were alive when the team left. |
| A US intelligence official told Associated Press news agency there was information that Abu Ghadiyah was about to carry out an attack in Iraq and that this had led to the raid. | A US intelligence official told Associated Press news agency there was information that Abu Ghadiyah was about to carry out an attack in Iraq and that this had led to the raid. |
| "The trip wire was knowing an attack was imminent, and also being able to pinpoint his location," the official said. | "The trip wire was knowing an attack was imminent, and also being able to pinpoint his location," the official said. |
| The official said the US had similar but less detailed information in the spring | The official said the US had similar but less detailed information in the spring |
| Shortly afterwards, 11 Iraqi policeman were killed in an attack the US believes was led by Abu Ghadiyah personally. | Shortly afterwards, 11 Iraqi policeman were killed in an attack the US believes was led by Abu Ghadiyah personally. |
| Sunday's attack took place during the afternoon rest period, with a troop assault preferred over a missile strike to reduce civilian casualties, the intelligence official said. | Sunday's attack took place during the afternoon rest period, with a troop assault preferred over a missile strike to reduce civilian casualties, the intelligence official said. |
| Syria says the raid was US "terrorist aggression" | Syria says the raid was US "terrorist aggression" |
| The US had repeatedly asked Syria to hand over Abu Ghadiyah but Damascus said it was monitoring his activities, another US military official told AP. | The US had repeatedly asked Syria to hand over Abu Ghadiyah but Damascus said it was monitoring his activities, another US military official told AP. |
| Newly released amateur footage said to show the raid shows villagers pointing to the sky as helicopters fly in. | Newly released amateur footage said to show the raid shows villagers pointing to the sky as helicopters fly in. |
| The mobile phone video does not show any landings but has images purportedly from after the attack, showing a crowd looking at blood-stained bodies. | The mobile phone video does not show any landings but has images purportedly from after the attack, showing a crowd looking at blood-stained bodies. |
| Syria says all the victims were civilian. | Syria says all the victims were civilian. |
| Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said they were a father and his three children, a farm guard and his wife, and a fisherman. | Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said they were a father and his three children, a farm guard and his wife, and a fisherman. |
| He said: "Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression. We consider this criminal and terrorist action." | He said: "Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression. We consider this criminal and terrorist action." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY It's hard to believe the Syrians could not see this coming G Battista, BrazilSend us your comments | |
| Mr Muallem, speaking in London, said the US knew "full well that we stand against al-Qaeda. They know full well we are trying to tighten our border with Iraq". | Mr Muallem, speaking in London, said the US knew "full well that we stand against al-Qaeda. They know full well we are trying to tighten our border with Iraq". |
| 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 territories." | 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 territories." |