Syria gunmen fire on Jordan troops at border

AMMAN // A Jordanian army spokesman says 10 gunmen from Syria opened fire on troops patrolling an isolated border area in the north.

The spokesman says the patrols returned fire, wounding seven and arresting three.

He declined to disclose identities, but said the late Saturday shooting was in an isolated area “not used by Syrian refugees” fleeing to Jordan.

It is the first time that Jordan publicly reports an armed attack from Syria, although there have been several smuggling incidents in recent months.

Pro-US Jordan, only one of two Arab nations that has signed a peace treaty with Israel, is concerned that Al Qaida or militants affiliated with its rival Shiite Lebanese Hizbollah may target it.

The spokesman insisted on anonymity Sunday, saying he is not allowed to comment on an continuing investigation.

* Associated Press