SARG ALLEGES U.S. MILITARY RAID KILLS 8 CIVILIANS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAMASCUS 000741

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SES-O, NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, NEA/I
NSC FOR ABRAMS
CENTCOM FOR POLAD
BAGHDAD FOR PM, POL, FO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2018
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV PTER SY IZ
SUBJECT: SARG ALLEGES U.S. MILITARY RAID KILLS 8 CIVILIANS

REF: 10/26 EMBASSY DAMASCUS-S/S-O EMAIL

Classified By: CDA Maura Connelly, reasons 1.5 b and d.


1. (U) This is an action request. See para 10.


2. (C) Summary: Roughly two hours after local internet and
Syrian TV reported an alleged U.S. military attack in eastern
Syria, Syrian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal Mekdad
convoked Charge and Pol/Econ Chief on October 26 (2200 local)
to protest. According to Mekdad, Syrian military sources
had confirmed U.S. military helicopters had penetrated eight
kilometers into Syrian territory and launched an attack that
killed seven Syrian civilians. Charge pledged to check with
Washington, CENTCOM, and MFN-I to ascertain the facts as we
knew them. We request Department and Embassy Baghdad
coordinate with CENTCOM and MNF-I to review Syrian
allegations, report on what happened, and instructions on how
to respond to the SARG. End Summary


3. (C) Mekdad cited Syrian military sources who reported
four U.S. helicopters crossed the Syrian border from Iraq,
landed at the Bou Kamal farm in the eastern region of
Bukaria, killed members of three Syrian families (eight
civilians dead and one injured),and then returned to Iraq.
The act was all the more troubling in view of Syria's recent
actions to ensure excellent relations with its brother in
Iraq, Mekdad added.


4. (C) Mekdad condemned the raid as an aggressive act and
violation of Syrian sovereignty. The United States was
mistaken if it believed Syria would not respond to the
incident and was incapable of protecting itself, he said.
The Syrian government believed the attack was not an accident
and that it confirmed the U.S. invasion of Iraq was meant to
undermine regional stability and violate the sovereignty of
Arab countries. While in the past the SARG had cooperated
with the U.S., the incident showed the U.S. interest remained
attacking and undermining the stability of countries in the
region.


5. (C) Charge sought clarification on whether the reports
were established fact. Mekdad replied Syrian military
sources had confirmed the details presented. Charge
expressed condolences for any deaths of innocent civilians,
but explained that we were still seeking information from USG
sources to confirm the event from the highest available
sources in Washington and Baghdad.


6. (C) Mekdad said the SARG had made public its claims of
U.S. responsibility as well as its demand for an
investigation and condemnation. The SARG was seeking a
formal U.S. apology. The SARG had also notified the Iraqi
Embassy in Syria of its responsibility and called on it to
launch an investigation and prevent of the use of Iraq
territory for "aggression against Syria." The SARG, Mekdad
continued, would be publishing a formal statement on Syrian
state media Sanaa. (Note: translated text sent to NEA via
unclass email.)


7. (C) Charge replied the Embassy would convey Mekdad's
statement to Washington and continue to try to ascertain the
facts from our side. "We thought we were moving our
relations forward," Mekdad replied, noting the U.S.
helicopters had reportedly flown eight kilometers inside
Syrian airspace.


8. (C) Charge asked whether the SARG was planning next
steps. Mekdad suggested that the SARG was currently
evaluating all options, but indicated there would be some
unspecified response. Syria demanded an official U.S.
apology, he reiterated. Charge pledged to come back to the
SARG once we had more information.


9. (C) Comment: The SARG publicized this story
immediately, suggesting its intent to discredit the U.S. and
U.S. policy in the region. Without U.S. facts to counter the
Syrian version, Syria would enjoy a virtual press monopoly
over the story. Though Syrian military retaliation seems

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unlikely at this stage, we take Mekdad at his word that the
regime is evaluating possible responses that could target
U.S. Embassy operations, ongoing PRM/UNHCR Iraqi refugee
resettlement, or other U.S. equities. EAC cable to follow.


10. (C) Action Request: Request Department and Embassy
Baghdad engage MNF-I and CENTCOM to ascertain what happened
and to provide an approved explanation we can share with the
Syrian government and others. We also recommend Department
press guidance expressing the USG's desire to investigate and
report on the matter will be useful in responding to media
reports and the SARG's statement.



CONNELLY