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U.S. Backs Sunni-Led Offensive Near Syria Border

(Washington Post) Ellen Knickmeyer and Omar Fekeiki - U.S. warplanes bombed safe houses being used by Abu Musab Zarqawi's insurgent group near the Syrian border Tuesday during what one local leader called an unprecedented push by a Sunni Arab tribe to drive out Zarqawi's foreign-led forces in two towns along the Euphrates River. The towns are described as havens and transit points for insurgents moving weapons, money, and recruits into Iraq from Syria. Muhammed Mahallawi said his Albu Mahal tribe began fighting against Zarqawi's insurgents after they kidnapped and killed 31 members of his tribe to punish them for joining the Iraqi security forces. Ali Rawi, an emergency room director in the border city of Qaim, said at least 56 people - the majority of them followers of Zarqawi - were killed.
2005-08-31 00:00:00
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