A U.S. official says a U.S helicopter attack in Syria is
believed to have killed the head of a network that had been smuggling weapons
and foreign fighters into Iraq.
U.S. news agencies quote the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as
saying the man targeted was Abu Ghadiya.
The U.S. Treasury Department previously identified Ghadiya as a major terrorist
financier to al-Qaida in Iraq.
Syria is accusing the accusing the United States of "terrorist
aggression" for the raid which Damascus says killed eight civilians
The White House, U.S. State Department, and Pentagon have refused all comment
on the incident. But State Department spokesman Sean McCormack acknowledged
Monday that Syria lodged an official protest.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said in London the raid happened
during daylight Sunday. He said that shows it was not a mistake, but
"blunt determination."
He warned if another raid happens, Syria will defend its territory.