Report: US conducted secret ops in Pakistan, Syria

Sun Nov 9, 2008 11:04 PM EST

politics, us, new-york-times, al-qaida, qaida

The U.S. military has conducted nearly a dozen secret operations against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups in Syria, Pakistan and other countries since 2004, The New York Times reported Sunday night.

Citing anonymous U.S. officials, the Times story said the operations were authorized by a broad classified order that then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld signed and President Bush approved in spring 2004. The order gave the military authority to attack al-Qaida anywhere in the world and to conduct operations in countries that were not at war with the U.S.

One such operation was the Oct. 26 raid inside Syria, the Times reported. Washington hasn't formally acknowledged the raid, but U.S. officials have said the target was a top al-Qaida in Iraq figure. Syria has asked for proof and said eight civilians were killed in the attack.

In another mission, in 2006, Navy SEALs raided a suspected terrorist compound in Pakistan's tribal areas.

The raids have typically been conducted by U.S. Special Forces, often in conjunction with the Central Intelligence Agency, the newspaper said. Even though the process has been streamlined, specific missions have to be approved by the defense secretary or, in the cases of Syria and Pakistan, by the president.

A Defense Department spokesman had no comment Sunday night on the Times report.

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Regions: United States , Syria , Pakistan , Iraq

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{"commentId":3997063,"authorDomain":"blizzy"}

Blizzy

And the problem is?

A country as advanced as ours should have enemies on their toes with the threat of high-powered, covert action in the back of their minds. Besides the SAS and perhaps the Massoud, our special forces are unmatched - so why not use them to control threats?

{"commentId":3997063,"threadId":"414677","contentId":"2092960","authorDomain":"blizzy"}

1 vote

#1 - Sun Nov 9, 2008 11:45 PM EST

{"commentId":3998399,"authorDomain":"Books83"}

Books83

Honestly no one will be suprised that the US is doing this. I'm sure the SAS and Massoud are doing covert ops too. The only real problem is that they are suppose to remain covert. We have been cought doing black ops on foreign soil with out the permision of that goverment. In some countries thats enough to start a war.

{"commentId":3998399,"threadId":"414677","contentId":"2092960","authorDomain":"Books83"}

#1.1 - Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:06 AM EST

{"commentId":3998374,"authorDomain":"oldphartbsa"}

OldPhartbsa

Thank you New York Times for once again endangering our servicement and women who are fighting for your right to be a tratorious, biased, piece of @!$%# newspaper. This is why I no longer subscribe to ANY newspaper with the word "Times" in their name.

{"commentId":3998374,"threadId":"414677","contentId":"2092960","authorDomain":"oldphartbsa"}

#2 - Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:49 AM EST

{"commentId":3999827,"authorDomain":"anitasangle"}

Anita's Angle

Thank GOD we still have those out there protecting the world at large from these semi-human terrorists and their hate-filled agenda.

{"commentId":3999827,"threadId":"414677","contentId":"2092960","authorDomain":"anitasangle"}

#3 - Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:40 AM EST

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Bush approved more covert raids	Capital Hill Blue	Mon Nov 10	0
Obama inheriting broad covert ops policies	Associated Press	Mon Nov 10	4
Secret Order Lets U.S. Raid Al Qaeda in Many Countries	The New York Times	Mon Nov 10	7
Secret order allows U.S. raids abroad	The Seattle Times	Mon Nov 10	0
Report: US Conducted Secret Ops in Pakistan, Syria	Yahoo! News	Mon Nov 10	1

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Report: US conducted secret ops in Pakistan, Syria

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