Syria issues threats tied to U.S. raid

DAMASCUS, Syria, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Syria will implement "painful measures" if the United States does not justify its recent raid in the country, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said.

Al-Muallem said if U.S. officials continue to remain silent regarding details of the Oct. 26 raid across the Iraqi-Syrian border, Syria would be forced to enhance its response to the military action, Press TV reported Monday.

"Syria may resort to more painful measures if the United States does not give an official explanation for the attack," al-Muallem said.

Eight people, including four children, were killed in last month's raid by U.S. helicopters, Press TV said.

The TV group said the military action prompted Syrian officials to close a U.S. cultural center and an American school in Syria. Syrian officials also called on their Iraqi counterparts to prevent the U.S. military from using Iraqi airspace in the future.

Anonymous U.S. officials told Press TV that the military operation had been targeting wanted al-Qaida militant Badran Turki al-Mazidih.