Syria in clandestine war with US
Rowan Scarborough:
"Syria is 'facilitating' the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq and helping supply them with arms, according to U.S. military officials with access to intelligence reports.
"The sources said the reporting has not been clear on whether hard-line Syrian President Bashar Assad is involved directly in ordering the aid. But they say he has much to lose if Iraq becomes a pro-U.S. democratic country.
"Foreign fighters from Syria have become a major stumbling block to stabilizing Iraq and turning over sovereignty by June 30.
"The bloody fighting in Fallujah, for example, is inspired, in part, by well-armed foreign jihadists who crossed the Syrian border and have committed some of the most gruesome attacks against Americans and their allies.
"Officials said Syrian help includes facilitating their border crossing, arming them and allowing them to return for fresh supplies.
"Asked how conclusive U.S. intelligence is on Syrian aid, one official said, 'No doubt about it.'
...
"The United States has also sent military personnel into Syria on reconnaissance missions.
" 'To stop the source, the Marines did put a very intense effort, and it still continues up there,' said Maj. Gen. John Sattler, chief of operations for U.S. Central Command. 'We had an extreme amount of success on the front side, meaning that we did find, fix and ultimately finish a number of cells that were out there, that were facilitating this type movement.'
"The State Department's yearly report on global terrorism states, 'Syrian and Iranian support for Hezbollah activities in the south [Lebanon], as well as training and assistance to Palestinian rejectionist groups in Lebanon, help permit terrorist elements to flourish.' "
The war has a very Hizballah flavor to it now. It would actually be easier to topple the Damascus entity than to let them continue to infiltrate bad guys into Iraq.
Rowan Scarborough:
"Syria is 'facilitating' the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq and helping supply them with arms, according to U.S. military officials with access to intelligence reports.
"The sources said the reporting has not been clear on whether hard-line Syrian President Bashar Assad is involved directly in ordering the aid. But they say he has much to lose if Iraq becomes a pro-U.S. democratic country.
"Foreign fighters from Syria have become a major stumbling block to stabilizing Iraq and turning over sovereignty by June 30.
"The bloody fighting in Fallujah, for example, is inspired, in part, by well-armed foreign jihadists who crossed the Syrian border and have committed some of the most gruesome attacks against Americans and their allies.
"Officials said Syrian help includes facilitating their border crossing, arming them and allowing them to return for fresh supplies.
"Asked how conclusive U.S. intelligence is on Syrian aid, one official said, 'No doubt about it.'
...
"The United States has also sent military personnel into Syria on reconnaissance missions.
" 'To stop the source, the Marines did put a very intense effort, and it still continues up there,' said Maj. Gen. John Sattler, chief of operations for U.S. Central Command. 'We had an extreme amount of success on the front side, meaning that we did find, fix and ultimately finish a number of cells that were out there, that were facilitating this type movement.'
"The State Department's yearly report on global terrorism states, 'Syrian and Iranian support for Hezbollah activities in the south [Lebanon], as well as training and assistance to Palestinian rejectionist groups in Lebanon, help permit terrorist elements to flourish.' "
The war has a very Hizballah flavor to it now. It would actually be easier to topple the Damascus entity than to let them continue to infiltrate bad guys into Iraq.
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