RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- An Arab-language newspaper reported that U.S. forces are paying $10,000 to informers who help arrest Saudis trying to cross into Iraq to join the insurgents.
The daily newspaper al-Watan on Tuesday quoted a Saudi national, who decided at the last minute not to enter Iraq from Syria, as saying, "The American forces are paying $10,000 per head for Saudis, which is almost double the price they pay for non-Saudi infiltrators."
He said Iraqi and Syrian brokers who help Saudi fighters cross into Iraq have been selling them out to the U.S. forces.
"I had planned to enter Iraq before I knew about the plans of the brokers, who were intending to turn me over to the U.S. forces after I crossed into Iraq," said the Saudi youth, who requested anonymity.
He said that Saudis were the most valuable to the "brokers," while non-Saudis were being turned over for $5,000 to $7,000.
