Report: U.S. choppers attack targets inside Syria?
posted at 3:29 pm on October 26, 2008 by Allahpundit
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So say local witnesses and, er, Syrian state media. Bush surely realizes how much mileage Democrats will get from painting this as a contrived October surprise and an example of Republican “warmongering,” so if — if — it’s true, something mighty interesting must have been going on in that village to make him pull the trigger.
Local residents in a Syrian border town said that American forces killed seven men in a helicopter-borne commando attack inside Syrian territory. State-run TV later raised the number of dead to nine.
Doctors in the town of Al-Sukkariya, some eight kilometres from the Iraqi border, said seven corpses and four wounded had been delivered to a nearby clinic after the attack.
The eyewitness accounts said that four helicopters were involved in the operation, with two of the helicopters landing in the town and eight American soldiers disembarking. The eyewitnesses said that the seven killed men were supposedly construction workers.
Afterwards, the US helicopters then left Syrian airspace with all the soldiers again on board.
A U.S. spokesman in Baghdad says the military’s investigating. JPost notes that the site of the attack is near the Iraqi border city of Qaim, which jihadis used as a way station for years to enter the country, so there’s your potential motive. Why we felt obliged to cross the border now, though, when we were content to respect Syrian sovereignty even during the worst days of the insurgency isn’t clear to me. I sent an e-mail to Bill Roggio asking him if he thinks it’s plausible; stand by for updates when he responds. For what it’s worth, an Israeli security correspondent tells Sky News he thinks it probably was Americans and that they were likely after Al Qaeda. The immediate question will be why Bush felt he had to act now as opposed to, say, a week from Wednesday.
Worth noting: U.S. soldiers in Iraq have been impersonated by enemy fighters before, to devastating effect. Although if they’re impersonators, it leaves open the not so minor matter of where they got the choppers and where, precisely, the attack was staged from.
Exit question: If they were targeting an AQI safehouse, why put men on the ground to “storm a building,” as the BBC report puts it? Why not just send a missile down the chimney, Waziristan style? Clearly they were looking for someone.
Update: The only two people I can think of who might justify an operation in Syria are al-Masri, the leader of AQI, and Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, who’s long been rumored to be hiding out there. Roggio will have other guesses, certainly. A snatch and grab operation of some high-ranking insurgent would explain why boots were on the ground and why they felt they had to act now, even with the election so near. Short of that, the only explanation I can come up with is that there was some sort of cargo in transit that simply had to be seized and secured, even at the risk of casualties.
Update: Roggio to the rescue. He thinks it’s plausible and that al-Masri was the likely target.
The raid occurred close to the main border crossing point between Iraq and Syria. Al Qaeda declared an Islamic Emirate in Al Qaim right along the Iraqi border during the spring of 2005. Al Qaeda terrorized the local tribes and attempted to institute a Taliban-like rule. Al Qaim was the main infiltration route into Iraq until US Marines and Iraqi troops launched a campaign to dislodge al Qaeda from the region.
The US has neither confirmed nor denied the operation took place. If the attack occurred, it would have been carried out by Task Force 88, the special operations hunt-killer teams assigned to target al Qaeda operatives as well as Shia terrorists in Iraq…
The US military may be closing in on al Qaeda’s senior leadership. US forces killed Abu Qaswarah, al Qaeda in Iraq’s second in command, during a raid in Mosul in northern Iraq on Oct. 15. The military has also killed and captured numerous al Qaeda leader and couriers over the past several weeks. The information obtained during these raids help to paint a picture of al Qaeda’s command structure inside of of Iraq as well as in neighboring countries.
Update: More plausible by the minute: “The Syrian report comes just days after the commander of U.S. forces in western Iraq told reporters that American troops were redoubling efforts to secure the Syrian border, which he said was an ‘uncontrolled’ gateway for fighters entering Iraq.” Here’s video from MSNBC. Note the brass’s insistence that they won’t be commenting on this subject.
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I hope this doesn’t mean that more people don’t like us.
We need Obama more than ever to smooth out these incidents of the US destroying those forces which would destroy us and our allies, and Bawny Fwanks to take these weapons away from people in uniform that use them to kill fweedom fightahs!
I’m still waiting to hear that some US choppers hit the Ayer’s private property. Better late than never for enemies domestic and foreign.
Hening on October 26, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Hmmm wondered if they used those new fangled MV-22s? Perfect for getting in and out fast.
~ major dad
tree hugging sister on October 26, 2008 at 5:05 PM
This is SO just like when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor. Someone call the Messiah on the 3:00 phone. STAT!!!
wccawa on October 26, 2008 at 5:07 PM
According to the AP, they were just workers in a civilian building:
tlynch001 on October 26, 2008 at 5:11 PM
I enjoy you using the word “reasonable” in your post. That’s very sweet. You’re dealing with a bunch of people who blame the Jews for everything, think that the Jews control the Media and the Banks and America, and think that Hitler didn’t finish his life’s work.
Reasonable is not exactly something I’d ascribe to the Assad family.
mjk on October 26, 2008 at 5:13 PM
OT: LA Times Hiding Incriminating Video of Obama with Radical Palestinian? Update: Ayers and Dohrn Attended Khalidi Party with Obama
From LGF
carbon_footprint on October 26, 2008 at 4:12 PM
thank you for the link. I mailed it to myself. Will send to a lot of people. Plus pi** off some Liberal’s and put that on where ever I can.
If we did that strike in Syria. Then it must have needed to be done. There is a reason. I agree with the ones that feel this will be good press for McCain. McCain will win!!
sheebe on October 26, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Took an intel trip to Al Jazeera website, not
one word of any children deaths,ummm!
canopfor on October 26, 2008 at 5:15 PM
The air assault is Bush establishing relations with Iran.
“F*** with us and we’ll kick your asses too!”
csdeven on October 26, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Doubt it–the Osprey’s lack of self-defense capability makes it impractical to send into an unsecured area.
But once they get that forward-mounted gun onboard, it’s gonna be kickass!
m064404 on October 26, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Screw Syria, perhaps they can get Obama to feel sorry for them and pander to their terrorist butts . . . he’s just the man for that job.
rplat on October 26, 2008 at 5:25 PM
I wouldn’t either–that’s why I said as much. Syria attacking Israel because of our incursion won’t deter the US from continuing anything we have started. I almost hope the Syrians are stupid enough to do what you suggest they might.
Though, I’d rather the US establish “direct relations” by addressing Iranian meddling at their borders.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Nope….Seeeeee-reeeeee-uh. And remember to trill the “r” for added pompous effect.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Unfortunately, with the Socialists (I see no point in humoring the ruse of calling them “Democrats” anymore) threatening to cut the military budget by 25% (for starters), both the Osprey and its remote gun system are probably looking at rather bleak futures. Charles Rangel has already publicly promised that the F-22 will be axed next year. I suspect he’s only getting warmed up.
It will be interesting to see if Bush uses his last days in office to settle scores and scorch the Earth where it’s long been badly needed, leaving Obama to sift through the diplomatic fallout. I’d consider that the more patriotic option, and if true this Syria development could be a good sign. Alternatively, he could just go through the motions and let Obama reap the whirlwind when he ascends and embarks on his capitulation agenda. That’s not as heroic, but I can’t say I’d blame the man if at this point he’s simply tired. I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see which way it goes.
One thing we can be certain of: An Obama win in November guarantees an Israeli strike on Iran, and soon.
Blacklake on October 26, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Have we checked the country of Ireland yet? If he’s there, we’re screwed.
If Obama wins, I’m going to miss hearing about these cross-border raids…
CliffHanger on October 26, 2008 at 5:48 PM
More dead Muslims. Who can argue?
Xolom on October 26, 2008 at 5:58 PM
I think the republicans have lost their minds…
justdianne<<<<throwing in the towel
justdianne on October 26, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Obama just asked the question…”Can you do that?”, and “Do we have helicopters that can do that?”…
right2bright on October 26, 2008 at 6:04 PM
If so, let’s hope the news comes soon and that McCain’s people are already working on an ad: But for the Surge, we would never have caught Al-Masri - and Obama opposed the surge.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Do we know if the Syrian government has responded to any of this? If they haven’t been making a big deal out of it yet, I would think that we got prior permission to cross the border.
Normally I wouldn’t care if we asked or not, but who knows how Barack Milhous Obama will react to violating a country’s border other than Pakistan.
Glenn Jericho on October 26, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Yeah, I was talking to a buddy about that article–we just hope that the admirals and generals will be able to talk sense into the leadership come ‘09.
m064404 on October 26, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Why?
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Waiting for Obama’s response to the Syria situation.
He’s consulting with his 100+advisors to find out the location of Syria and who’s side they’re on.
Gulf Coast on October 26, 2008 at 6:12 PM
“According to Syrian sources speaking to WND, Syria conveyed a message to the U.S. claiming Syria does not support the insurgency and opposes any insurgent or al-Qaida elements operating on Syrian soil. Syria told the U.S. they were not upset America had attacked insurgents or al-Qaida elements, if indeed that was the target, but that their protest was against the U.S. operating on Syrian soil without prior permission.”
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……………..
BallisticBob on October 26, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Indeed. If we did nab al-Masri, it’s a sure bet the Syrians are shitting themselves over what the son-of-b!itch is going to tell us about them when we water-board his sorry ass.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 6:27 PM
I think you’ll hear about them all the time… Mexico dives into Texas… Mexico dives into Arizona… Putin snatches Alaska back…
CC - BHO: “my Muslim faith”
CapedConservative on October 26, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Hening on October 26, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Now don’t you upset Bawny.
You never know what the little twit will do if he really gets angry-look out.
Gulf Coast on October 26, 2008 at 6:37 PM
HuffPo is claiming BOOOOOOOOOSH is trying to steal the election by starting a war with Syria.
lodge on October 26, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Right on schedule. And aother diarist will claim the whole thing is being orchestrated by the evil Joooos in 5…4…3…
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Hopefully it went a little like this:
Bush to CENTCOM: “Hey guys, explain to Syria and Iran that in a few days the election will be over and I’ll have no reason to hold back on anything. I don’t know Farsi or Arabic, so show them what I mean in a language they will understand!”
innominatus on October 26, 2008 at 6:49 PM
We killed al-Masri’s deputy, Abu Qaswarah, earlier this month in Mosul, which is in northern Iraq near Turkey and Syria.
According to the Boston Globe:
Syria is on Iraq’s northwest border.
Terrie on October 26, 2008 at 6:52 PM
According to AP, US confirms attack.
corona on October 26, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Hopefully this is CentCom-speak for: “The bastard is alive, in one piece and is being water-boarded as we speak.”
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Whatever they used…there was a CAP nearby.
jerrytbg on October 26, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Kill the bastards early and often.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on October 26, 2008 at 7:10 PM
with a transit through Iran…
jerrytbg on October 26, 2008 at 7:12 PM
I believe OBL is in Pok-ee-ston.
Benjamin9 on October 26, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Finally. . .Hit-em again.
PattyJ. Your joking right ? You do know they ( the bad guys ) hide behind women, children, retarded, handicapped etc.
Texyank on October 26, 2008 at 7:15 PM
I wrote the LAT “Reader’s Rep” plus implored Drudge to take a look at this….I think it deserves a DrudgeReport main headline.
What a seditious disgrace is our Flatline Media.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on October 26, 2008 at 7:35 PM
I think Ed can delete this post….in the meantime I fixed it.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on October 26, 2008 at 7:42 PM
ex-Democrat on October 26, 2008 at 7:35 PM
I noticed that the article was written in 2004, do you think the tape still exists?
Cindy Munford on October 26, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Isreal attacks Syria Assad and Iran do nothing.
US attacks Syria as of now Assad and Iran do nothing.
Both Assad and Dinner Jacket look weak.
Regime changes in progress?
diogenes on October 26, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Interesting angle–and particularly relevant. Sadam after all allowed his country be overrun by the US simply so he could continue to convince others he had dangerous weapons.
In the Middle East, nothing but force is understood. It is my hope that if all the recent chatter about a Syria detente ever happens, then this is round one of “negotiations”.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Good thing Amhadinnerjacket is exhausted or they’d be hell to pay.
Little Boomer on October 26, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Bryan - Maybe just wishful thinking on my part
diogenes on October 26, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Booooooosh!!
d1carter on October 26, 2008 at 8:33 PM
Bryan, I’ve been following your posts and would like to thank you for your insight. I hae a couple of questions for you (and any others who wish to answer): what is going on in Iran vis-a-vis a revolution on the part of the people to overthrow th mullacracy? Is there really a seething resentment on the part of the people? Are we engaging them (the people) on any level? Would we ever get involved on any level if it broke out into fighting?
Thanks.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Did Assad have chinoplasty? I swear the jawline looks different…
Jobius on October 26, 2008 at 8:50 PM
And the nutroot conspiracy theories continue….
“October Surprise”: Preparing for “Something Unexpected”?
Oy. That’s rich.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 26, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Oh, it’ll rise to a fever pitch by mid-week, Doc.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 8:53 PM
They were looking for Obama’s thesis
Wade on October 26, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Wish I knew more. Ever since Ajad came to power, the Iranians sure have been concerned about public dissent–shutting down media outlets that don’t tow the line, making arrests of dissidents, the occurrence of the occasional terrorist attack or bombing.
All that tells me they are in a big world of hurt. Ajad has received some public blame for his economic policies. Public criticism like that is rare in a country like Iran. Falling oil prices are going to put even more economic pressure on this regime. I doubt we’d get involved with any revolution except to supply aid. But I’m sure we’re sending financial support already through appropriate channels–I’ve read that a number of places.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 8:59 PM
I understand that a sizable % of the population is under the age of 40. I suspect most of thm are acquainted with the west and desirous of prosperity.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Smack em while we still can. If Bommy gets in he’ll allow the freakin stuff to still enter IRAQ so as to not offend anyone while our soldiers get sucker-punched. Syria’s been doin this crap and won’t stop, so I guess it’s stopped now huh? tuff cahoonies
johnnyU on October 26, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Correct, they have a sizable youth population with high unemployment–that’s the stuff revolutions are made of :)
Consider, though, that most of those youths have lived their entire lives after the revolution. The problem with the Iranian regime is that old people remember what it was like living as a Western oriented country, and the youths do not have any sense of connection to the “revolution” that the clerics say they represent.
They sound almost Soviet in their rhetoric–always advancing the cause of a now 30 year old revolution.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Also…student campuses are rife with groups that challenge the regime. Repression on campuses in Iran has almost been as severe as leftist repression of conservatives here in the US — but I kid.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Yeah, that’s the correct pronunciation according to the NPR English-Elitist, Elitist-English Dictionary, 2008 edition. I think the faux British accent is optional…
dmh0667 on October 26, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Dont worry! Barry will sing cumbaya with all terrorists and all will be peachy keen!
grapeknutz on October 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM
ManlyRash
It has been an often promoted idea that Iran is full of wannabe young American sympathizers pining for Iphones, porn and prosperity. I remember pre 9/11 when it received another revival in the initial rumblings of pre emptive actions planned by the “neo cons”. Even then it was old, a throw back to the early days of the Iranian revolution when it was used to kindle thoughts of “rescuing” Iran from Kholmenie.
Of course there is a ribbon of such people but they don’t exist in huddled masses by any means, 40 years of war and fundamentalism eroded the middle class of the old days under the Shah. It was that moment in time, under the Shah when Iran seemed most inclined to the west that this emerged from. Remember they are overwhelmingly Islamic in outlook. And the followers of the 12th Imam cult are batsh!t crazy and also happen to be the ones who oversee and pull the strings of the Iranian “democracy”.
But it is trotted out every time Iran needs it’s a$$ kicked to stoke the thought that people need rescuing in Iran.
PS ManlyRash, your optimism cancels out a battalion of bed wetters wailing!
BL@KBIRD on October 26, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Did you note at the bottome of that LATimes story the weakness of the Iran economy. It’s teetering at an exceptionally high rate of inflation, yet Amadaboutjihad is offering the same kinds of populist fix-its that Obama uses as boiler-plate policy to buy votes. Also, the story notes that the Mad President of Iran is not above buying votes directly. Intriguing.
onlineanalyst on October 26, 2008 at 10:23 PM
The LAT reporter claims to have it and confirms he won’t release it….from Gateway Pundit here:
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/10/confirmed-msm-holds-video-of-barack.html
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on October 26, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Yeah, and Vito Corleone sold olive oil.
Oink on October 26, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Say hello to those who would kill our warriors. Say goodbye to those who will kill our warriors.
Let’s all say it’s about time.
On the same note, let’s make it clear that death is a certainty if any nation harms a hair on an American war fighter.
winemkr on October 26, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Good old Yahoo and CNN’s Cal Perry doing their best to
say the USA did wrong. . .
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=10391780&ch=4226714&src=news
Texyank on October 26, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I still say those WMD’s that Saddam never had (even though the U.N. issued 16 resolutions that demanded he show proof that he destoyed them- which he never did) are in Syria.
It’s just a matter of time before the truth comes out.
FiveWays on October 26, 2008 at 11:40 PM
There is only one way to negotiate with nations that insist on killing our war fighters from afar. Like five miles from our comfort zone.
We just did it.
Let’s extend our comfort zone to the nth degree.
winemkr on October 27, 2008 at 12:05 AM
We better hit these guys now. If BHO gets in it’s open season on innocents without fear of reprisal.
Mojave Mark on October 27, 2008 at 12:18 AM
In Obama’s world, Syria is innocent and we are the agressors.
James on October 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM
“Oh, sorry… One piece of stinking desert looks pretty much like another, y’know?”
mojo on October 27, 2008 at 12:36 PM
ManlyRash,
The U.S overthrew the democratic much loved leader of Iran. Installed the Shah, trained their brutal police. The U.S supported Saddam to invade Iran,using chemical weapons against their people.
Following 9/11 there were candlelit vigil’s for the American people ,strong condemnation from the religious leaders.The Death of America chants were suspended as a sign of respect?(I know this sounds daft-it was a big deal in Iran.)
Iran supported the U.S in Afghanistan.They got the northern alligence to co-operate,agreed if any U.S troops were shot down in iran they would be returned.
They offered to help/fund training of the afghan army under U.S control/leadership.
When you put them in the ‘axis of evil’,it totally destroyed the reform party,this led to Ahmadinejad being voted leader.
Iran is an ancient civilation full of culture and history.
There is a large jewish community,who are represented in parliment.The Iranians want and deserve respect.
The Iranian people want change,but not by bombing the hell out of their beautiful land.
Please humour me ,and look at these images.Honestly say if it has any effect on how you view Iran
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pFfHjNximGg
mags on October 27, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Comment pages: « 1 [2]