Days after the commander of the US forces in western Iraq said that the American forces are redoubling its efforts to secure the border, in which he refers as an “uncontrolled” gateway for fighters entering Iraq, Special Operations Forces killed on its October 26, sunday’s attacks Al Qaeda’s senior coordinator operating in Syria, Abu Ghadiyain, who was closely associated with the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. The assualt took place about 4 – 5 miles inside the sai country.
According to US intelligence, they have estimated about 90% of the foreign fighters enter Iraq through Syria, who b rings cash and weapons are also trained in bomb-making and are always willing to sacrifice themselves in suicide attacks. Also on the intelligence estimates that since last July, only 20 foreign fighters were entering the country each month, a number that is only 20% of the number infiltrating Iraq a year ago.
A total of eight people were killed in the raid.
Innocent residents of the village in which the raid occurred were also caught in the middle of two forces. One villager, who asked to be anonimous because he feared for his life, claims he saw at least two men taken into custody by American forces and whisked away in a helicopter.
The event also stirred numerous negative reactions, in which is indirectly affecting the US presidential elections to be held a few days from today. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem called an act of “criminal and terrorist aggression.” Angry residents during the funeral shouted anti-American slogans and carried banners which reads the likes of : “Down with Bush” and “Down with the American enemy.” Russia’s Foreign Ministry also warns that it will create and escalate tensions in the region.
