Iraq condemns US for Syria air raid
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Baghdad, Oct 28, IRNA
Iraq-US-Syria
Iraq has denounced a raid into Syria at the weekend, saying it does not want its territory to be used as a launch- point for US attacks on its neighbors.
Speaking after the cabinet meeting, government spokesman Ali al- Dabbagh criticized the US over the reported helicopter strike.
"The Iraqi government rejects the US helicopter strike on Syrian territory, considering that Iraq's constitution does not allow its land to be a base for launching attacks on neighbouring countries," he said.
"We call upon American forces not to repeat such activities and Baghdad has launched an investigation into the strike." Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said all the victims - a father and his three children, a farm guard and his wife, and a fisherman - were civilian.
He said: "Killing civilians in international law means a terrorist aggression. We consider this criminal and terrorist action." Moallem, speaking in London, said the US knew "full well that we stand against al-Qaeda. They know full well we are trying to tighten our border with Iraq".
Asked if Syria would use force if a similar operation was mounted, he said: "As long as you are saying if, I tell you, if they do it again, we will defend our territories."
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