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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Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on October 26, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Look, AP, i believe that any National Security/WoT change of topic will be good for McCain, just as anything about economy will be good for Al-Burack.
It’s a mood based election, substance doesn’t matter.
Aristotle on October 26, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Clearly they were looking for someone
Osama???????
unseen on October 26, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Syria has summoned the Iraqi and US charges d’affairs to Damascus
lodge on October 26, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Construction workers? Like the construction workers who tried to build a Syrian nuke facility only to have Israel raze it?
eaglewingz08 on October 26, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Don`t Iran and Syria have some sort of mutual defense agreement? Keep one eye facing east, is all I`m saying.
ThePrez on October 26, 2008 at 3:37 PM
I saw Bin Laden at a costume party last night, so it couldn’t have been him.
jgapinoy on October 26, 2008 at 3:38 PM
I will wait for more details, such as an acknowledgment from the U.S. military. It could have been Iraqi Special Forces guys for all we know.
And if it was our soldiers? Fine with me, it’s about time we hit back at the aholes who think themselves secure just across the border.
Bishop on October 26, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Could it have been Iraqi soldiers ?
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Bingo. And it must hae been someone pretty high up on the AQ corporate ladder for Bush to pull the trigger noe rather than later.
Exit question: did our boys nab him alive as a prisoner? Hmmmmmmmm.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 3:39 PM
This had to be big. I don’t think it was just to stop some insurgents, for the reasons you sited, AP.
Weight of Glory on October 26, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Assuming the story is accurate, that is.
Weight of Glory on October 26, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Of course they did. Assad is shocked - SHOCKED - that anyone would violate Syrian sovereignty like this.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 3:41 PM
I suspect it is accurate. But the details are very sketchy. I have a feeling something MAJOR just happened.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 3:43 PM
We need Pelosi to head right over and get this all worked out.
Hening on October 26, 2008 at 3:43 PM
If they dismounted, they were looking to confirm a kill and get DNA to prove it. That would mean a very high value target, to do this across the border with the risks involved.
michaelo on October 26, 2008 at 3:44 PM
But if it was some bigwig, why was his security detail so small? Those fuds usually have fifty heavily-armed bodyguards surrounding them at all times.
Bishop on October 26, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Yeah, I found that detail quite stunning.
Weight of Glory on October 26, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Did the hit “a wedding party” again?
PattyJ on October 26, 2008 at 3:46 PM
The MSM will spin it!
At least no matter how you slice it,
Republicans have the will and resolve
to deal with the enemy!
This will be a plus for Secruity for
Team Maverick/SarahCuda!
I can’t wait for Team HopeLess/ChangeLess/GutLess
comment’s on this!
I hope Team McCain have the campaign ads ready to
roll,as soon as GaffeBiden and Hopey open their
big yaps!!!!!!!
canopfor on October 26, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Quick, better Mirandaize him and call up the ACLU to make sure he has a good lawyer.
rbj on October 26, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Maybe that’s why Bush called it in, if it happened. Maybe we saw this as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Weight of Glory on October 26, 2008 at 3:48 PM
They found Barack’s birth certificate?
BL@KBIRD on October 26, 2008 at 3:49 PM
This has to be important. Striking Pak required Bush approval, this certainly would. And he’s never before given approval for strikes in Syria.
lodge on October 26, 2008 at 3:49 PM
HA!
Weight of Glory on October 26, 2008 at 3:50 PM
When is Murtha going to make announce in a fit of rage that the US just MURDERED! innocent Syrians?
winemkr on October 26, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Insurgents dont travel in big groups its too inviting a target. Smaller groups can sneak around much easier.
If it was special forces and they did dimount means they may have been not so much a search and destroy as a capture mission.
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 3:50 PM
A local all-news TV news station in its 30-second piece (probably ripped-off from a wire service story) on this mentioned the Syrian nuke facility strike too.
andycanuck on October 26, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Weight of Glory on October 26, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Yahaaa, good point, also makes you wonder what the true occupations were of the “construction workers.”
Bishop on October 26, 2008 at 3:51 PM
We need Pelosi to head right over and get this all worked
out!
Hening on Oct 26,2008 at 3:43PM.
Hening: At least Nancy should apologize on behalf of
the Liberal Democratic Party!
Especially when Obama wants to bring peace upon
the world!!:):)
canopfor on October 26, 2008 at 3:52 PM
BTW Allah when are you going to put up the story that Iran is now reporting that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is ill ?
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Me thinks Iran might be p#ssed about this!
canopfor on October 26, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Bashir Assad was quoted as saying, “Is this a joke? Are you joking???”
hoosiermama on October 26, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Obarka will soon have a press conference denouncing our troops who are “just air-raiding villages and killing civilians.”
Pssssst….Senator Obambo *whisper whisper*
“I mean, who are just ground-raiding villages and killing civilians.”
Bishop on October 26, 2008 at 3:55 PM
My thought exactly. My guess is that some local squealed and word got out and up the channels to CentCom and then the Prez. The order was given, the calvary went in, and if they did, in fact, capture someone of importance in the AQ network, we’ll be hearing about it soon.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 3:55 PM
I cannot confirm or deny that I gave any such order. ;)
ThePrez on October 26, 2008 at 3:57 PM
I wonder if this could be the same approach we took with Pakistan–start border incursions until the country we are attacking finally addresses the problem emanating from within their borders. It seemed to work with Pakistan who now appear to be at least attempting to address their border issues.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 4:01 PM
WHAT October surprise?
Obama knows how to defend our country and he should not be surprised that our military leaders are exploring MANY options. After all he has met with them hasn’t he? Hasn’t he? Uh, he hasn’t? What, are you JOKING?
originalpechanga on October 26, 2008 at 4:02 PM
The two words that are music to the ears of every U.S. president since George Washington: Plausible Deniability.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Not in this case. With Pakistan there was at least a simulacrum of friendly cooperation. The U.S. and Syria are de facto enemies.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 4:04 PM
October surprise….the capture and exectution of Osama Bin Biden.
SaintOlaf on October 26, 2008 at 4:04 PM
7 Islamic nutjobs down, only 1 billion to go!
Speedwagon82 on October 26, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Syrian woman on SKY sounds pretty angry.
lodge on October 26, 2008 at 4:06 PM
It will be interesting to see how Obama, who has advocated going over the border into Pakistan in pursuit, may try to criticize Bush for going over the border into Syria in pursuit. Going to be some fine parsing of words there.
That he would praise George Bush this close to the election, I don’t find likely.
Wethal on October 26, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Not Bin Laden…he’s still in the mountains between Pock-ee-stahn and Ahf-ghon-ee-stahn. But I’ll bet it’s someone of value - someone high up in the AQ organization. It would be sweetness and light if it’s Adam Gadahn, the Fat Traitor himself.
Whatever the case, it’ll be great press for McCain, as it serves to further justify the GWOT in general and our presence in Iraq in particular.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Can you expand on that, or is it just pretty much what we’d imagine?
capitalist piglet on October 26, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Don’t they all? She is a graduate of the Michelle Obama Charm Academy
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 4:09 PM
But the calculation is still the same. Your choices when the US violates your territory are essentially:
1. Go to war with the US.
2. Allow ongoing incursions into your sovereign territory.
3. Address the issue that caused the US incursions.
Friend or enemy, I somewhat think the Syrians prefer #3.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 4:09 PM
That’s why I believe this will accrue to McCain’s benefit. And there is no way the Drive-Bys can ignore a story like this.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Well, I’d take the word of the Syrian media and Syrians themselves with about fourteen pounds of salt as they’re not exactly the bastions of all things truthful. If it were true though, there must have been something really interesting in that place. Which also wouldn’t surprise me.
mjk on October 26, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Good point, Bryan. I agree.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 4:12 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
Option number 3 is funny. Like that would ever happen.
Option number 4 - Asininely blame the Jews and make abortive efforts to kill Israelis. The IAF then blows the shite out of yet another Syrian installation.
I suspect the Syrians will pick number 4.
mjk on October 26, 2008 at 4:13 PM
I also wonder if there is a political message to this as well–Syria has been making a lot of noise lately vis-a-vis Lebanon. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the messages may be “if you try anything in Lebanon, better watch your back”.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 4:13 PM
AirCav or Special Forces?
Mason on October 26, 2008 at 4:15 PM
BREAKING: 20 MILITANTS KILLED BY U.S. DRONE IN PAKISTAN
ThePrez on October 26, 2008 at 4:15 PM
BTW doesnt have to be Al Qaeda that was the target. Hezbollah has been trying to get into Iraq as well and Syria has some dealings with them.
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Jpost:
gh on October 26, 2008 at 4:18 PM
ThePrez on October 26, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Where did you get that info?
gmoonster on October 26, 2008 at 4:19 PM
I’m still hoping for an October surprise in the form of a Fitzmas RICO action against ACORN (with some Obamites thrown in), but this will do nicely for now.
It would be hard for the Dems (not that they won’t try) to say that this attack (and the one ThePrez noted) were staged by Bush to help McCain. Bush can just respond, “We go after terrorists every day of the week as long as I’m president.”
Wethal on October 26, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Here
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 4:21 PM
That’s the ticket.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 4:21 PM
MSNBC, I just saw it a few minutes ago, so it may change.
ThePrez on October 26, 2008 at 4:21 PM
President Bush and the military need to take out all known targets before handing over the reigns to Obambi.
Record this in your memory friends, chasing an enemy across borders could soon be a thing of the pass.
FireBlogger on October 26, 2008 at 4:21 PM
The Syrians won’t like addressing the reason for US incursions, but your option #4 only works if there is any reasonable expectation that they can influence US behavior by acting against our Israeli allies. Of course, Asad isn’t always reasonable. If they go the route you suggest, it would be a mistake, and we still win–and we keep attacking their border.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 4:22 PM
ThePrez on October 26, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Post a link next time.
Nothing on drudge.
Latest on google news
But it’s two hours old.
gh on October 26, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Nah. Obambi’s gonna lose on November 4.
ManlyRash on October 26, 2008 at 4:23 PM
I’d put my money on a pre-election major terror attack in Iraq with the key planners and executors in that village who are hopefully now dead. Iraq has been going too well for Bush/McCain and too poorly for Iran/Syria/Reid/Pelosi/Obama.
DrDeano on October 26, 2008 at 4:23 PM
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Thanks … but there’s nothing else there besides the headline.
gh on October 26, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Eh, I can`t be bothered.
ThePrez on October 26, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Indeed!!!!!!
Kini on October 26, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Assuming the HA headline on Bush re-establishing relationships with Iran is true, this may create a small setback in progress.:)
a capella on October 26, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Which General said we’re running out of time?
Kini on October 26, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Somehow the MSM will find a way…
Liberty or Death on October 26, 2008 at 4:28 PM
FIFY.
Kafir on October 26, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Allah:
Shocking as it may seem, not everything is about the election. It might actually have been a viable military target.
Terrye on October 26, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Details about drone attack are only slowly coming out. From Reuters now a few more
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 4:34 PM
In this country, it is. Not even being facetious. Every single event that affects the United States will affect the election, and a good deal of the progress of the latter will affect the former.
MadisonConservative on October 26, 2008 at 4:35 PM
This has been going on since Summer. I wonder why the more recent interest in the subject. Maybe the storied about Ajad’s failing health suggest he’s getting an exit stage left signal from the clerics.
BryanS on October 26, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Too bad we couldn’t do that on our southern border.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 26, 2008 at 4:36 PM
How do you get SKYNEWS so I can see for myself?
KBird on October 26, 2008 at 4:38 PM
PS: there is a link at LGF where one can write the LA Times to pressure them to release the video tape. This is a travesty that they are holding onto evidence that could swing the election to McCain/Palin.
carbon_footprint on October 26, 2008 at 4:38 PM
SKY News here
Video on site
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Text finally appears … link above in this thread:
gh on October 26, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Sorry not video but just story
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 4:39 PM
ahem ….. Jihadists reconstructing their terrorist network.
fogw on October 26, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Hening: At least Nancy should apologize on behalf of
the
LiberalSocialist/Communist Democratic Party!Especially when Obama wants to
bring peacespread the wealth upon the world!!:):)canopfor on October 26, 2008 at 3:52 PM
(repaired for clarification)
Rovin on October 26, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Still pretty much smoke, and one report says “helicopters” while another says “drone.”
If anything happened at all, it sure as heck beats having Osama Obama meet with some terrorist leader for tea and cookies to “discuss.”
MrScribbler on October 26, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Oh, wait, didn’t realize these are two separate stories.
Dumb ol’ me.
I stand by the conclusions, though.
MrScribbler on October 26, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Here is Sky News video page
In the middle is menu list of videos. In far right is “Live news” where you can see what is on TV currently.
William Amos on October 26, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Fox News seems to have more information,and
as per usual,theres a claim of 4 children
who have died!!
So,until the full facts come out,get ready
for the full MSM assualt!
As well as Hopey,and his ‘air raiding villages
spiel’im sure will hear!
canopfor on October 26, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Since the internet is all about people spouting off about things they know very little about, I can’t help but wonder whether the recent rumors of better relations with Iran might have been in exchange for some key dime dropping on AQ and Syria. In other news, I hear Imadinnerjacket isn’t feeling too well.
Hmmmmm
Infidoll on October 26, 2008 at 4:46 PM
capitalist piglet on October 26, 2008 at 4:47 PM
(repaired for clarification)
Rovin on Oct 26,2008 at 4:40PM.
Rovin: And I approve of that update,nice!hahaha:)
canopfor on October 26, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Finally!!
Mooseman on October 26, 2008 at 4:55 PM
And whatcha gonna do about it, ya punkassb1tch?
TheSitRep on October 26, 2008 at 4:57 PM
You’d be angry too if you’d just lost your four different apartment blocks and your green-helmet guy.
andycanuck on October 26, 2008 at 5:00 PM
You forgot cat juggling…I’m certain the Islamo-facsist propaganda machine and their useful idiots (the MSM) will want to be sure to get that atrocity in there too…after all there is no limit to America’s/Bushitler’s EVIL!
Liberty or Death on October 26, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Isn’t it pronounced “Sah-ree-ah”?
exhelodrvr on October 26, 2008 at 5:01 PM
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