Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Skirmishes with Syria
UPI reports several border clashes between U.S and Syrian soldiers, resulting in a few injuries.
"Beirut's daily As-Safir quoted U.S. political and military sources in Washington as saying Tuesday that Syrian troops fired at a U.S. helicopter in one of the border incidents, causing the casualties."
I'm not too surprised that these skirmishes take place, considering that anti-U.S. forces have come across the Syria-Iraq border, reportedly, assisted by Syrian itself. However, if you read a few paragraphs down:
"The U.S. sources also said the Pentagon decided to place Lebanon and Syria under the U.S. Central Command led by Gen. John Abuzaid which is responsible for the Middle East region. The sources cited "geographic and field reasons" and the necessity of dealing better with the situation on the Syria-Iraq border for its decision. "
I never had any reason to think of looking into it before, but I figured Lebanon/Syria would already fall into the "Middle East Region". I'm a little surprised the Pentagon didn't make that change before the war in Iraq, but their planning, or lack of, never ceases to amaze me. I just hope Syria doesn't become another Cambodia.
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"Beirut's daily As-Safir quoted U.S. political and military sources in Washington as saying Tuesday that Syrian troops fired at a U.S. helicopter in one of the border incidents, causing the casualties."
I'm not too surprised that these skirmishes take place, considering that anti-U.S. forces have come across the Syria-Iraq border, reportedly, assisted by Syrian itself. However, if you read a few paragraphs down:
"The U.S. sources also said the Pentagon decided to place Lebanon and Syria under the U.S. Central Command led by Gen. John Abuzaid which is responsible for the Middle East region. The sources cited "geographic and field reasons" and the necessity of dealing better with the situation on the Syria-Iraq border for its decision. "
I never had any reason to think of looking into it before, but I figured Lebanon/Syria would already fall into the "Middle East Region". I'm a little surprised the Pentagon didn't make that change before the war in Iraq, but their planning, or lack of, never ceases to amaze me. I just hope Syria doesn't become another Cambodia.
