This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21658859

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Attackers 'kill Syrian soldiers' in Iraq Attackers 'kill Syrian soldiers' in Iraq
(35 minutes later)
At least 40 Syrian soldiers and government employees have been killed in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, officials in Baghdad say. At least 40 Syrian soldiers and several Iraqis have been killed in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, officials in Baghdad say.
They were among a group who had fled across the border into Iraq to escape an attack by anti-government rebels, Reuters quotes officials as saying. They were among a group who had fled across the border into Iraq at the weekend to escape an attack by anti-government rebels.
They were being driven back to the border when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen, Reuters reports. Iraqis are also among the dead. They were being driven back to the border when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen, officials said.
Syria has seen two years of conflict. Syria has seen two years of conflict in which some 70,000 people have died.
Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad fight those who oppose his rule. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled to neighbouring countries as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad fight those who oppose his rule.
'Near-total control''Near-total control'
The group of Syrian soldiers and government employees had entered Iraq through the Yaarubiyeh border in the northern Nineveh province over the weekend, as anti-government rebels launched an attack on the area.The group of Syrian soldiers and government employees had entered Iraq through the Yaarubiyeh border in the northern Nineveh province over the weekend, as anti-government rebels launched an attack on the area.
They were being taken to the al-Waleed border crossing further south in Anbar when they were ambushed at Akashat, a senior Iraqi official told Reuters.They were being taken to the al-Waleed border crossing further south in Anbar when they were ambushed at Akashat, a senior Iraqi official told Reuters.
"Gunmen set up an ambush and killed 40 of them, plus some Iraqi soldiers who were protecting the convoy," he added."Gunmen set up an ambush and killed 40 of them, plus some Iraqi soldiers who were protecting the convoy," he added.
The identity of the gunmen is not known.The identity of the gunmen is not known.
They appeared to have been well-prepared for the assault, having with them roadside bombs, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, officials said.They appeared to have been well-prepared for the assault, having with them roadside bombs, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, officials said.
The Iraqi authorities have warned that the ongoing violence in Syria could spill across the border. Iraq and Syria share a 600km (372 mile) border, and the government in Baghdad has often expressed concern that the violence in Syria could spill over into its own territory.
Anbar is a province dominated by Sunni Muslims who have been protesting for more than two months against the Shia-led government they accuse of trying to marginalise them.Anbar is a province dominated by Sunni Muslims who have been protesting for more than two months against the Shia-led government they accuse of trying to marginalise them.
The province has seen the formation of the Free Iraqi Army, a group openly supporting its fellow Sunnis in the rebel Free Syrian Army which is fighting the Iran-backed government of President Bashar al-Assad. The province has seen the formation of the Free Iraqi Army, a group openly supporting its fellow Sunnis in the rebel Free Syrian Army which is fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad, whose own Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam.
Meanwhile, in Syria itself, the rebels are reported to have taken the northern city of Raqqa; in what would be their biggest victory of the two-year conflict. Meanwhile, in Syria itself, the rebels are reported to have taken the northern city of Raqqa; in what would be one of their biggest victories in the two-year conflict.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebels had "near-total control" of Raqqa after days of fierce fighting.The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebels had "near-total control" of Raqqa after days of fierce fighting.
Video footage showed residents destroying a statue of Hafez Assad, the previous president and father of the current President Assad.Video footage showed residents destroying a statue of Hafez Assad, the previous president and father of the current President Assad.
Raqqa has been a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Syrians who fled the violence in other parts of the country.Raqqa has been a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Syrians who fled the violence in other parts of the country.