Iraqi general: 21 Syrian border guards killed in clashes with rebels near Iraq border

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi army general says rebels have killed 21 Syrian border guards in clashes near the nation’s northern border with Iraq.

Iraqi Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Dulaimi says the fighting happened at a remote outpost near the Sinjar mountain range.

He said 20 Syrian soldiers and their commander were killed.

The clashes came as rebels also overtook a major Syrian border crossing father south, near the Iraqi town of Qaim.

Al-Dulaimi said Iraqi forces have been put on high alert, and have moved more soldiers to the border to prevent any violence from spilling over into Iraq.