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1800 Syrian-based Guerrillas Enter Jordan; 12,000 Iraqi Troops Pull out

October 23, 1970
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Some 1800 Palestinian guerrillas from Syria were reported to have entered today into Jordan as Iraqi troops, stationed in that country since the June, 1967 Arab-Israeli war, were pulled out. There was no apparent connection between the two movements. The guerrillas are members of the Syrian-backed Al Saiqa which has reportedly been under pressure since the Syrian Defense Minister, Gen. Hafaz Assad, seized control in Damascus. There are altogether about 20,000 Al Saiqa members in Syria and the new regime in Damascus is said to want to get rid of them. They are seeking refuge in northern Jordan and southern Lebanon. Reports from Amman yesterday said the last of 12,000 Iraqi troops would be pulled out by tonight. King Hussein said at a news conference last week that the Iraqis would be asked to leave. The Iraqi commander was ordered home over the week-end after a shake-up in the Baghdad government. Jordanian troops were reportedly supervising the Iraqi withdrawal and making sure that they did not crate Jordanian equipment and take it along with them.

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