Unidentified Aircraft Targeted Truck Convoy in Syria, Says Iraqi Official 

An Iraqi soldier patrols the border with Syria. (Reuters file photo)
An Iraqi soldier patrols the border with Syria. (Reuters file photo)
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Unidentified Aircraft Targeted Truck Convoy in Syria, Says Iraqi Official 

An Iraqi soldier patrols the border with Syria. (Reuters file photo)
An Iraqi soldier patrols the border with Syria. (Reuters file photo)

Unidentified aircraft targeted a truck convoy stationed on the Syrian side of the border with Iraq on Sunday night, an Iraqi border official said on Monday.

Multiple air strikes destroyed part of a 10-truck convoy that had used the Qaim border crossing from Iraq to cross into Syria on Saturday, the border official said.

The border crossing is close to the Syrian town of Abu Kamal, also known as Al Bukamal, which is near to where the US military carried out air strikes on Friday against two facilities it said were used by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and groups it backs. Those air strikes were carried out in response to a spate of attacks against US forces in both Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said.

Two Iraqi militia sources also said on Monday that air strikes by unidentified aircraft on Sunday hit a building the militia was using near Abu Kamal.

The building struck by the attack was evacuated by their militia fighters on Saturday and no casualties were reported, the sources said.

Reuters was unable to independently verify that the attacks occurred.



Lebanese PM Discusses with Syria's Sharaa Relations Between 2 Countries

FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
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Lebanese PM Discusses with Syria's Sharaa Relations Between 2 Countries

FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa

Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, in a phone call on Friday with Syria's de facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussed relations between the two countries, according to a statement from Mikati's office posted on X, and said that he received an invitation from Sharaa to visit Syria to discuss common files.

Sharaa also affirmed that Syrian authorities took the necessary measures to restore calm on the border between the two countries, the post on X said.

Lebanon's army said Friday that gunbattles erupted on the Lebanese-Syrian border when Syrians attempted to reopen an illegal border crossing using a bulldozer, wounding at least five Lebanese soldiers.
The Lebanese army said its personnel fired warning shots, prompting the Syrians to open fire, wounding one soldier. After the shooting, army units in the area implemented strict security measures and the episode was under investigation, the army said.
Later Friday, the Lebanese army said there were renewed exchanges of fire and four more army personnel were injured.
Meanwhile, Syria’s de facto leadership under the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announced new entry regulations for Lebanese citizens. Lebanese travelers must secure a residence permit or a Syrian sponsor and provide proof of funds worth $2,000 and a hotel booking. Previously, Lebanese citizens were allowed to enter with just a Lebanese ID card.