Damascus has reacted angrily to accusations by the Iraqi government that half the bombings rocking the country were the work of infiltrators from neighbouring Syria. "The comments made by (Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh) are contrary to reality and aimed at harming relations between Iraq and Syria that Damascus wants to strengthen and develop," a Syrian official told AFP.
The two countries were restored their ties just late last year after a 26-year rupture.
Speaking late Saturday after a deadliest market attack which killed over 130 people in Baghdad, Dabbagh said: "What we see on the streets of Baghdad, 50 percent of it is coming from Syria.
"I confirm that 50 percent of murders and bombings are by Arab extremists coming from Syria."
On Sunday, Al-Dabbagh repeated these comments by telling Al Arabiya TV: "Syria closes its eyes. As we have said before and we say again today, we are facing a bloody and painful day for us in Iraq as a result of Syria's lack of seriousness in controlling the border."
