Syrian Troops Attack Iraqi Border Town

Syrian government troops on Friday pounded heavily Albu Kamal, a town along the Iraqi-Syrian border is controlled by rebel forces the previous day, said the rebels and medical officials told AFP.

Residents of Al-Qaim, on the Iraqi side of the border near the Albu

Kamal, said the relatives of those on the side of Syria was trying to flee to Iraq, but Baghdad's troops refused to allow them to cross.

"Albu Kamal was shot harder than last night," said Lieutenant Khaled Abu Zaid of Syria's Liberation Army, told AFP by telephone.

"The army is attacking Syria all areas of the city."

"The attacks are stronger than the attack last night. They launched the guns of the base outside the city."

A medic at the Albu Kamal, who requested anonymity, said that four people were killed by shooting and many more people were injured.

"The shooting was hit houses," said medical officer.

"I want to go to the hospital, but I could not leave my house for two cannons landed next to my house. People try to hide in their homes. There was lots of shooting, much stronger than last night."

A resident of Al-Qaim, 340 kilometers (210 miles) west of Baghdad, told AFP that his relatives in the Albu Kamal in vain tried to escape.

"They and other families trying to leave the city and came to Al-Qaim, but to prevent the Iraqi army to let them in Iraq," said the resident, who

speaking on condition of anonymity.

Residents of Al-Qaim is part of the tribes who have long been scattered in the area of ​​600 kilometer (375 mile) border between Iraq and Syria.

Iraqi officials said late Thursday that the insurgents crossing the Syrian control of Albu Kamal, and increase security in Baghdad and border crossing points and close the closest points.