By Dave Moniz, USA TODAY
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WASHINGTON — U.S. military forces crossed into Syria and engaged in a shooting match with border guards last Wednesday
after destroying a caravan that was suspected of carrying Saddam Hussein or members of his family, Defense officials
said Monday.
The incident occurred near Qaim, a town close to the Iraqi-Syrian border, when U.S. ground troops sought to examine a
string of vehicles that had been attacked by an AC-130 gunship and Army helicopters. Five Syrian soldiers were injured
in the confrontation after the air attack, the officials said. It was unclear who fired first or how the confrontation
developed.
About 20 more Syrian soldiers were detained briefly, then released. Syria had no comment on the incident. Syrian-U.S.
ties have been strained over Syria's past support for Saddam's regime and continued backing for anti-Israeli Palestinian
militants.
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The mission was approved by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, according to a senior military official. President Bush
was made aware of the strike, but it did not require his approval, a senior administration official said.
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