Amnesty calls for probe into Syrian raid

DAMASCUS, Syria, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Amnesty International called on Washington to investigate a raid into Syria that reportedly killed eight civilians and disclose the location of any prisoners.

American forces entered Syrian territory from Iraq in a raid targeting al-Qaida militants there. Syrian and eyewitness reports claim eight civilians, including a 16-year-old boy, were killed during the operations Sunday.

Iraqi authorities initially supported the raid, claiming U.S. forces were acting against foreign fighters who had entered the country through Syria. Baghdad later eased back from its approval, saying it would launch its own investigation into the matter.

Amnesty said it welcomed the sentiments from Baghdad, but urged Washington to examine whether U.S. forces had operated in accordance with international and humanitarian law.

The group also called on U.S. authorities to release any information regarding the possibility that prisoners were taken into custody, saying anyone "reasonably suspected of having committed a serious violation should be brought to justice in proceedings that conform to international fair trial standards."