Syrian-border combat deadly

[sabra]

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http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/newssummary/s_359813.html

Syrian-border combat deadly

BAGHDAD -- U.S. forces in western Iraq are facing fierce resistance to their new effort to take control of the Syrian border, with car bombs and an apparent ambush killing eight American troops in a single day, said Army and Marine officials Tuesday.
The deadly series of attacks Monday included the ambush of six Marines on a foot patrol outside of Haditha, said Marine officials.

Five of the Marines were killed by small-arms fire in the initial assault; the other Marine initially was "unaccounted for" but later was found dead a couple miles away, a Marine statement said. Officials declined to say whether the Marine was taken hostage before he was killed. The military said it is investigating the incident.

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Military officials say intelligence reports suggest that insurgents have been using the smuggling route to ferry in as many as 200 foreign fighters each month from Syria, along with bomb-laden cars and trucks, east toward Baghdad and other city centers.

U.S. military officials generally agree that foreign fighters make up less than 10 percent of the insurgency; however, they play a prominent role in coordinating and directing major attacks. A majority of the insurgents are Sunni Arabs from Iraq, according to U.S. officials.

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[bemildred]

1. "Foot patrols"?

Are they nuts? Who ordered that?
Do they think they are going to take Monte Casino again?