Iraq investigates U.S. raid on Syria – foreign ministry

Iraq-Syria BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it is investigating the military operation conducted by U.S. forces against Syrian locations bordering Iraq, noting it will update the Syrian sides with the results. “A military operation launched on Sunday night by a number of U.S. helicopters in al-Sukkari farm in the Albou Kamal area in eastern Syria to track down some wanted men,” the spokesman for the ministry said. “The Iraqi government immediately opened an investigation on the incident and the will present all information to the Syrian side,” he noted. Foreign Ministry undersecretary Labib Abbawi says the Iraqis hope the raid “does not impact negatively” on relations with Syria. He also said Monday that Baghdad is “trying to contain the fallout” from the “regrettable” incident. Abbawi says the Iraqis are seeking more information from the U.S. The Syrians say U.S. military helicopters launched the attack Sunday on Syrian territory close to the border with Iraq, killing eight people. Damascus condemned the raid as “serious aggression.” U.S. officials have complained that al-Qaeda network uses Syria as a base for sending fighters and weapons into Iraq. SH (S)/SR 1