More details on Alleged USMC Clash with Syrian Forces

Never Yet Melted ^ | November 25, 2005 | JDZ

[Venator]

Depkafile is reporting that internal Syrian communications channels report Syrian “Desert Guards” border units fought US Marines who crossed into Syria at a point west of al Qaim.

[coconutt2000]

Were the Syrian forces providing cover for retreating terrorists?

[Bigg Red]

Were the Syrian forces providing cover for retreating terrorists?

&&

Ya' think?

[Boundless]

That would be Debkafile, at:

http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=1319

"DEBKAfile Exclusive: Syria claims US forces suffered 11
casualties in a Syrian-US clash Thursday night, Nov. 24 –
without clarifying whether they meant dead or wounded

November 25, 2005, 5:14 PM (GMT+02:00)

Internal Syrian communications channels report Syrian
“Desert Guards” border units fought US Marines who
crossed into Syria at a point west of al Qaim. They
also claimed 30 Syrian casualties.

DEBKAfile’s military sources report the battle took place
at the Syrian-Iraqi border town of Abu Kemal. US forces
were in hot pursuit of a group of al Qaeda operatives who
fled across to Syria in escape an American attack pinning
them down in Mosul. The US military delivered Syria an
ultimatum to hand the terrorists over. The American
pursuit continued Friday when Syria failed to respond."
___________
Normal Debka caveats apply.

[Sarajevo]

DEBKAfile’s military sources report the battle took place at the Syrian-Iraqi border town of Abu Kemal. US forces were in hot pursuit of a group of al Qaeda operatives who fled across to Syria in escape an American attack pinning them down in Mosul.

That appears to have been one hell of a movement, not to mention a long pursuit, especially since aircraft are available from Incirlik Air Base within 30 minutes.

I don't know where the border town of Abu Kemal is located, but the shortest route from Mosul to Syria is over 60 miles.

[TomasUSMC]

Too bad the "Good" moslems in Turkey don't help US out.