AH, YES...THOSE HELPFUL SYRIANS...

Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the stability not only of Syria and Iraq, but also of the entire region is at stake.

"We know that the pathway into Iraq for many foreign fighters is through Syria. It's a fact. We know it. The Syrians know it," Myers told CNN TV.

"The Syrians need to take this situation very seriously. They need to help us stop that infiltration of foreign fighters. It doesn't do their government any good," Myers said.

Syrian officials were not immediately available for comment regarding the US warnings, but have previously rejected claims that Damascus is allowing militants into Iraq.