Syria gives passports to suicide bombers (ACT OF WAR)

The Times ^ | April 2, 2003 | Michael Binyon

[MadIvan]

THE SAS has arrested four busloads of suspected suicide bombers and would-be fighters in Iraq’s western desert.

The men, who are being held as prisoners of war, came from various Arab countries but all carried Syrian passports. They are thought to be among thousands of Arab zealots making their way to the battle front.

Syria has issued about 2,000 passports to people volunteering to fight for President Saddam Hussein in recent weeks, raising serious concerns in Britain and America, which suspects Damascus of smuggling war supplies to Iraq. The coalition is to protest to the Syrians.

Syrian officials have made no secret of their sympathy for the resistance of “the Iraqi people” to coalition attacks, although they have not voiced public support for Saddam.

Damascus has rejected accusations by Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary, that Syria has provided Iraq with night-vision goggles.

The big worry is that many of the volunteers receiving passports may be suicide bombers, including Palestinians hoping to avenge themselves for US support of Israel. A captured Iraqi general said last week that up to 4,000 suicide bombers were ready.

British sources believe that up to 600 volunteers have crossed from Syria into Iraq or are about to do so. Sending fighters to join a combatant army is a clear breach of neutrality. “The Syrians are playing with fire,” one source said yesterday.

In Jerusalem, Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli Defence Minister, said that Israel viewed as “very grave” Syria’s role in helping the volunteers. He also issued a veiled warning to President Assad over comments in a Lebanese newspaper that Syria could be the next target in America’s War on Terror “as long as Israel exists”.

Mr Mofaz said that Mr Assad had effectively ruled out a peace agreement with Israel.

[Destro]

We have yet to use MOAB in this war.

[Allegra]

Let's use Syria's airspace. To test big, noisy, bright things.

[TJC]

Don't forget to rap them in pigskin.

[L`enn]

Tell ya, they are luckier to get the Gitmo bus.

[tomahawk]

Damascus will go gumbay. It's just a question of when.

[jackbill]

Perhaps we will have to make an alteration to our "plan". Once things are finished in Iraq, we might just want to exit through Syria.

[Jhoffa_]

I think it's great..

Looks like an easy way to kill the lot of them if you ask me.

Heck, send em' all into the theater afaiac.

[isthisnickcool]

Definition of gobshite, complete with pronunciation

Hey! Just when I thought I ran out of names for my first wife (G-d rest her soul) here is a new one! Thanks!

[Tamar1973]

I think Syria, who is housing Saddam's whore and her evil spawn, is run by Ba'ath party.

Same song, second verse...

[Mr. Mojo]

Syria is somehow trying to position itself as the new radical power in the arab world, the leader of the "arab street."

They're going to be sandwiched in between an American-controlled Iraq and Israel, so I can't imagine they'd have to opporutnity to get too radical.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: “The Syrians are playing with fire,” one source said yesterday.

Those who play with fire get burnt.
Some ash white.

Official "I luv Brits!" BUMP!!!!
Long may she wave!

[TopQuark]

In the end, when political correctness will cost enough of western lives, it'll be the union of the English-speaking peoples --- U.S., British, Australia, and Canada (yes, they'll see the light; not New Zeland, however: too socialist and, besides they do not speak English) --- and Israel against the savages.

[so_real]

Arrested!? Line them all up. Then shoot all of them - except for one. Put that one back on the bus and send him back to Syria.

In the age of the video camera, there's no need for that. Just put a copy of the tape on the bus back to Damascus.

Nah, no reason for our boys to be tasked with burying them. Shoot all but the driver, put them all back on the bus, and ship 'em back.

[Terriergal]

THE SAS has arrested four busloads of suspected suicide bombers and would-be fighters in Iraq's western desert. The men, who are being held as prisoners of war

And rightfully so!

[ruoflaw]

ROTFLOL! Good one!

[Terriergal]

As I mentioned on a different thread... our boys'll oblige their need to be martyrs, if they'd like.

[Dog Gone]

Incidentally, what's the importance of a passport, anyway?

Are we supposed to believe that Iraq currently has border agents who are checking passports and turning away people who don't, especially when they're coming in to blow up Coalition forces?

[narby]

Well, the 4ID isn't even in-country yet. Maybe they should just go straight to Syria. They certianly need it.

[WilliamWallace1999]

Cool word.

[demnomo]

Yes, definitely send them to Gitmo. Don't put these suicidal scumbags near the poor Iraqi conscripts & soldiers who surrendered and/or fought honorably and are now being held in Red Cross-inspected POW camps.

Of course, Gitmo may be too good for these Syrian-sponsored fanatics & terrorists. I just read a recent article out of Pakistan regarding some Gitmo prisoners who were released and claimed that they were treated well. (Much to the dismay of the leftist press types who interviewed them.)

It's a shame that Coalition air power didn't knock the buses out. Targets of opportunity that they were...