Iraq Says Syrian Rebels Now Occupy Border Crossings - East Idaho News
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Iraq Says Syrian Rebels Now Occupy Border Crossings

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Getty 072012 SyriaAdnanalAssadi%20?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1342790005196SABAH ARAR/AFP/Getty Images(BAGHDAD) — A top Iraqi official said Thursday that Syrian rebels are now in control of all border crossings between his country and Syria.

Deputy Interior Minister Adnan al-Assadi said this action did not occur without violence and might force the closing of the entire border with Syria.

According to al-Assadi, Iraqi troops watched as the Free Syrian Army allegedly killed 22 government soldiers and cut off the arms and legs of a lieutenant colonel at one outpost.

The official said that it appears now that the rebels are preparing for a full-on assault of Damascus to overthrow the President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Meanwhile, Iraqi expatriates, who left their country during the height of their war, are returning to Iraq in droves to flee the escalating violence.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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