DAMASCUS - The United States raid on Syria on October 27, which led to the
killing of eight civilians, sent shockwaves throughout Iraq, mainly enraging
the Sunni community, former Ba'athists and tribal leaders who are pro-Syrian.
It came as such a surprise to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that he was
completely dumfounded at commenting. Here was the prime minister of Iraq, an
ally of Iran and a former resident of Syria, watching Syria being attacked from
his own territory - without his knowledge.
The Syria raid has electrified Iraq's Shi'ites, who are once again calling on
Maliki not to sign the SOFA, claiming it will be used against Iran since it
would give the US long-term access to Iraqi territory.
Sunnis are furious, given their historic relations, both personal and
commercial, with the Syrians.
Of the 1.5 million Iraqi refugees in Syria, a majority are Sunnis.
A prominent Kurdish politician, Mahmud Othman,
such action would only add to the anti-American sentiment in Iraq
clipped from: www.atimes.com