BAGHDAD, Feb 4: Relations between Baghdad and Damascus that were restored just three months ago are already under strain amid allegations Syria is sheltering Iraqi fugitives but being “hostile” to genuine refugees.

Amid a quickening bombing campaign against Baghdad commercial districts that on Saturday saw 130 people killed in the second deadliest attack since the 2003 invasion, Iraqi leaders are voicing growing frustration with what they see as Syria's failure to stem the flow of militants across the border.

Syria has imposed restrictions on Iraqi refugees, suspended flights by the national carrier Iraqi Airways and welcomed Sunni cleric Hareth al-Dari, who is wanted by authorities in Baghdad.

After Saturday's massive truck bomb in a Baghdad market, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh declared that half of the violence gripping the country was the work of outsiders infiltrating from Syria.

“I confirm that 50 per cent of murders and bombings are by Arab extremists coming from Syria,” Dabbagh said.

“They come from Syria, we have evidence to prove it. We have already proved it to our brothers in Syria.

“We want to tell all Arabs now that those who call themselves mujahideen come from Syria, and murder our oppressed population.” Syria reacted angrily to Dabbagh's comments describing them as “contrary to reality and aimed at harming relations between Iraq and Syria that Damascus wants to strengthen and develop.”—AFP