Posted on 05/18/2005 12:59:42 PM PDT by SmithL
DEIR EZ ZOUR, Syria -- In this remote corner of Syria where the Euphrates River cuts a lush strip through empty desert, fighting between U.S. Marines and Iraqi insurgents just across the border has people on edge.
Artillery shells that strayed from Iraq during last week's battles injured several Syrians, townspeople complain. And Syria's government is again on the defensive against U.S. accusations that it allows fighters to cross its territory.
On Wednesday, a top U.S. military official charged that Iraq's recent surge of bombings and other insurgent violence could be traced to a meeting in Syria about a month ago by lieutenants of extremist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and possibly attended by the Jordanian militant himself.
Syrian officials had no immediate comment. But earlier Wednesday, the government newspaper denied Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's accusation that Syria still lets foreign militants cross into Iraq.
The newspaper said Syria's government is pursuing "all-out efforts" to ensure Iraq's stability and has made clear it is ready to cooperate with Iraqis and Americans to ensure a secure border.
Syria won't allow journalists near the border town of Abu Kamal, 75 miles downstream from Deir Ez Zour and just across the border from the Iraqi town of Qaim, where some of the heaviest fighting raged during a weeklong Marine offensive against insurgent hideouts.
But a few of Abu Kamal's 70,000 residents — reached by telephone — spoke of watching airstrikes and battles three miles away in Qaim.
"It made us feel with our Iraqi brothers. A lot of innocent people were hurt in the offensive," said Bassem Abu Jalal, a 23-year-old businessman.
Several people in Abu Kamal were wounded by stray artillery shells, including a 10-year-old boy, townspeople said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
How many puppies and kitties were injured by American shells?
If I were them I'd consider myself lucky that it's still 3 miles away.
.......CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!
We call it "heading down the road to Damascus".
The USAF should break out a MOAB and drop it near the Syrian border...hahahahahahaha.
Just to start things off.
Live in fear, Syrian dogs! No, wait, that's an insult to dogs.
Lets just drop a fuel air explosive on Damascus and finish this already. The muslims will never like us so quite frankly they can kiss our asses.
If the muslims had our military technology and numbers and organization do you think they would hesitate One second about doing a massive holocaust that makes hitlers look like a sunday school class...
"If I were them I'd consider myself lucky that it's still 3 miles away."
If the conflict with the terrorists has moved that close to the Syrian border, you can be sure that the Syrian military is starting to sweat a bit.
Since if the conflict DOES cross the border, it won't be very long before some of Saddam's 'missing' WMDs are found!, IMHO.
Too bad the hippies had their way...and the USAF disposed of its surplus NAPALM after VIETNAM. Nothing quite like the sight of a flight of B-52G's dropping that kind of ordinance.
I could see a good use for it...if the Syrians continue to allow islamofacists across the border.
Honestly, I dont think ASSAD wants those guys in his country...because if they're fighting us in Iraq, they're not trying to over throw him. He wants them dead just as much as we do, but he doesnt have the stones to turn his country around.
Basically, a MOAB is one large fuel air bomb.
fyi
Now you know how Israel feels you slimy bastards!
"But a few of Abu Kamal's 70,000 residents — reached by telephone — spoke of watching airstrikes and battles three miles away in Qaim. "It made us feel with our Iraqi brothers. A lot of innocent people were hurt in the offensive," said Bassem Abu Jalal, a 23-year-old businessman.
Several people in Abu Kamal were wounded by stray artillery shells, including a 10-year-old boy, townspeople said."
I don't believe this is accurate reporting. One only has to look at somewhat detailed maps of that border area to see that Kamal is perhaps more then 5 miles NE of Al Qaim (Qusaybab). And our artillery batteries could never fire off target by that amount. They with a good GPS reading and appropriate offset calculations by the spotter will put the first or second round right on target. Surely not off by even a hundred meters on the first round. Our Marines are well tranined in making making an accurate offset from the actual GPS reading. So I think this is a bunch of Bull****.
Just more lies. Or terrorist groups where deliberately lobing mortars into the town to make it look like it came from us.
"Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city,and it shall be a ruinous heap."
I agree.
Yep it's the ole throw down..."Lets skew the news to make it sound like the US was intentionally targeting civilians." ploy. I am surprised it was only one ten year old boy...and not a grammar school for blind girls...or sumpin.
I could see an ARTIE battery being tasked with a fire mission against retreating militants crossing the border. And I'd pin a medal on the officer balsy enough to okay that.
Seeing a city such as damascus bein reduced to ruin its a shame because its one of the oldest cities in the World. Well constantly lived in anyway. Many millenia its seen but i guess everything has to end its a shame really being i love history and would love to visit it if not for all the Islamofascists.
Several people in Abu Kamal were wounded by stray artillery shells, including a 10-year-old boy, townspeople said."
You can win a war without winning a single battle if the international media will take your word for everything. If you are claiming a grievance against the US, they will.
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