Iraq says half of extremists come from Syria

BAGHDAD: Half the extremists who commit bomb attacks in Iraq come from Syria, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on Saturday.   

"What we see on the streets of Baghdad, 50 per cent of it is coming from Syria. I confirm that 50 per cent of murders and bombings are by Arab extremists coming from Syria," Dabbagh said.   

"They come from Syria, we have evidence to prove it. We have already proved it to our brothers in Syria. We want to tell all Arabs now that those who call themselves mujahedeen come from Syria, and murder our oppressed population this way."   

Dabbagh's remarks came after a suicide bombing in a central Baghdad market killed 127 people and wounded 305.   

The attack was the biggest since Nov 23 car bombings in the Shiite district of Sadr City left more than 200 people dead. Dabbagh also pressed Syria to hand over suspects wanted for carrying out attacks in Iraq. A number of top former regime officials have reportedly found refuge in Syria and many of them are on Iraq's most wanted list.   

The US military has repeatedly accused Damascus of turning a blind eye to foreign fighters slipping across the border to join the insurgency dogging US troops in Iraq.