A number of Syrian border guards have been wounded after US forces in Iraq attacked a convoy of suspected high-profile members of Saddam Hussein's toppled government, US officials said.
"It's not clear how they were injured, whether they were caught in a crossfire or what. But we are, I believe, still treating three of them," said one official late yesterday.
Syria, which has had often tense relations with Washington over US charges it supports terrorism, said it had no comment, and Washington signalled there had been no official government contact with Damascus over the incident.
The US official said the attack occurred last Wednesday in a "fairly remote" area near Iraq's western city of Qaim close to the Syrian border.
US officials did not say whether American forces, acting on intelligence and backed by aircraft, crossed into Syria and were vague on how Syrian guards were involved. The convoy was apparently trying to escape into Syria, the officials said.
Syria has been under heavy pressure from the United States not to allow sanctuary to Saddam or any of his aides. Damascus says it is not harbouring any Saddam aides and rejects Washington's terrorism charges.
The US officials said there was no indication Saddam or his two sons Qusay and Uday - who head Washington's most wanted list after the Iraq war - were killed in the attack on suspected Saddam "regime figures".