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Iraq: Foreign minister says Al-Qaeda crossing to Syria

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 5 July 2012
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iraq: Foreign minister says Al-Qaeda crossing to Syria, 5 July 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/50002528c.html [accessed 19 June 2013]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

July 05, 2012

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari has warned that Al-Qaida militants have been crossing from Iraq to Syria to carry out attacks.

"We have solid information and intelligence that members of Al-Qaeda terrorist networks have gone in the other direction, to Syria, to help, to liaise, to carry out terrorist attacks. And this is something that over the years we've warned the Syrian regime [about]," Zebari said.

Speaking in Baghdad, he did not reveal the source of his intelligence information regarding the movement of Al-Qaeda fighters.

But he said said that extremist groups have an important role in the level of violence that is going on in Syria.

He warned that the movements of the fighters could represent a spillover effect in which the groups might take root in Iraq's neighboring countries.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

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