Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

US Says Raid in Syria Killed Iraqi Militant

Administration defends cross-border operation as self-defense

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2008 7:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – Special forces carried out a secret raid in Syrian territory Sunday to kill an Iraqi militant, the US acknowledged yesterday. About two dozen American commandos swooped into a village on the Iraq-Syria border and fought a brief gun battle. While Syria condemned the raid as "terrorist aggression," top American officials told the New York Times that the Bush administration was determined to prosecute the war in sovereign nations even without their consent.

The raid targeted a leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq who smuggled foreign operatives over the border. As with similar raids in Pakistan, the administration cited self-defense—rather than preemption, the rationale for the invasion of Iraq—to justify its cross-border operations. The raid has left the Iraqi government in a delicate position: despite its support for the American military, it remains friendly with Syria, home to more than a million Iraqi refugees.

The mother and two sisters of Syrian Faysal el-Abdallah, who died a day before when US military helicopters launched an attack on Syrian territory.
The mother and two sisters of Syrian Faysal el-Abdallah, who died a day before when US military helicopters launched an attack on Syrian territory.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A Syrian man mourns near the body of a relative who died a day before when U.S. military helicopters launched an attack on Syrian territory.
A Syrian man mourns near the body of a relative who died a day before when U.S. military helicopters launched an attack on Syrian territory.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A banner reads: Down with America, the enemy of the Arab nation, during the funeral procession of Syrians who died a day before when US military helicopters launched an attack on Syrian territory.
A banner reads: "Down with America, the enemy of the Arab nation," during the funeral procession of Syrians who died a day before when US military helicopters launched an attack on Syrian territory.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Militants Again Flow From Syria to Iraq

US Suspects al-Qaeda Behind Syria Bombings

US Soldiers Executed Iraqi Toddlers: WikiLeaks

In Secret Talks, Iran Forged Deal for Pro-Tehran Iraq

Gates Arrives in Iraq in Wake of Bombings


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne