Iraq Border Guards Describe Horrific Executions in Syria Before Shutting Down Crossings

Thursday: 3 Iraqis Killed, 4 Wounded

by , July 19, 2012

Iraqi border guards described a horrific scene they said happened just across the border in Syria. According to guards near the Iraqi city of Sinjar, the Free Syrian Army overran their Syrian counterparts. One Syrian lieutenant colonel was fatally mutilated, while at least 21 others were also executed. The report has not been independently verified. Further south at the other major border point, Iraqi border guards witnessed clashing near the Syrian town of Abu Kamal, then the raising of the Free Syrian Army flag.

The Free Syrian Army said they also are in control of two crossings on the Turkish frontier. Although Iraq has been calling on Iraqis in Syria to return home — so far, 60 busloads of refugees have heeded the advice — Iraq may feel it necessary to completely shut down the crossings. The Iraqi army has positioned itself along the border to prevent any incursions and reportedly shut down the crossing near Abu Kamal in Qaim, Iraq.

Meanwhile, at least three people were killed and four more were wounded in Iraq itself.

In Kirkuk, a man was shot dead; he had once worked as a translator for U.S. forces. A sticky bomb killed a Peshmerga fighter and wounded two more. Separately, gunmen attacked an Electricity Directorate where officials were paying salaries. They wounded one person and made off with $37,400. Other victims may have been wounded.

A clash in Mosul left one policeman dead and another wounded.

A bomb was deactivated near Buhriz. Two more bombs were defused in Baquba and Muqdadiya.

Read more by Margaret Griffis