Syrians Fire on Iraq Troops for 1st Time
<i> Reuters</i>
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia —
Syrian soldiers opened fire on Iraqi troops today for the first time in the Gulf War, a military spokesman said.
Saudi Col. Ahmed Robayan said about 30 Iraqis had attempted to cross the border into northern Saudi Arabia but were driven back by Syrian artillery fire.
Syria for decades has been at odds with Iraq, with the two countries ruled by rival wings of the pan-Arab Baath Party.
Its involvement in the fighting makes it the first Arab country from outside the Persian Gulf to join battle with Iraq.
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