Of all the insane stories that have come out of the war in Iraq, this might just be the craziest.
“Two unknown gunmen in full Arabic dress began firing on civilians in central Basra, wounding several, including a traffic police officer,” CNN reports. “The two gunmen fled the scene but were captured and taken in for questioning, admitting they were British Marines carrying out a ‘special security task.’”
“Iraqi security officials… accused the two Britons they detained of… trying to plant explosives,” the Washington Post notes.
Members of the Mahdi Army, the militia loyal to the rebellious Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, then “converged on the police station holding the British men, apparently hoping to seize them in order to free… three colleagues in British custody,” the New York Times says. “[They] begun attacking the station with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, and… British troops soon responded to defend it…
“British armored vehicles… fired on the station, headquarters of the major crimes unit in central Basra, and [broke] through its outer wall. Troops then stormed in and freed the two [Marines].“
The pair were “sprung only hours after British forces had encircled the building but were forced to flee by a violent mob hurling stones and Molotov cocktails,” the Times of London reports. “Two Iraqi civilians were reportedly killed in the riots, during which two UK Warrior armoured vehicles were set alight.“
According to the AP, “150 Iraqi prisoners [also] fled as British commandos stormed inside and rescued their comrades.“
THERE’S MORE: The BBC says the marines were actually being held in a militia safehouse. It’s one of a number of discrepancies in the news accounts of this confusing story. There are sure to be more.
Juan Cole has put together a timeline of the events, and a possible explanation.
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Bedlam Follows Basra Intrigue
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From what I have read thus far, not many of you seem to know the all-encompassing roll that any SOF is playing in this War on Terror. Most of you should stop trying to wrap your heads around it. It’s way above your pay grade. XGman when you refer to western intervention, You would be refering to Operations like “Overlord”. You may want to ask the Americans, British, and Canadians who are buried on foriegn soil about western intervention. Oh, or just ask your friends the french about western intervention. There is alot of finger pointing, and the blame game going on here. Let’s remember how we got to this point. 19 ISLAMIC TERRORIST used planes as missles and destroyed lives, and property on US soil, right under our noises. They lied to achieve their mission. Islamic terrorist will lie again to gain jobs, status, and power for THE SAME MISSION of destroying lives,property and invoking fear. Now that we have come this far, some of you would like to turn back the clock and leave Iraq helpless to defend itself. XGman, diplomacy is great. But it only goes so far when you have people who only understand an “Iron Fist of Saddam”. We have formed a “Coalition” of forces to acheive democracy in Iraq. I have personally lost friends here. Do not trivialize there efforts in Iraq, by “pulling chaulks” before the job is complete. I applaude the Brits on the successful rescue mission of thier own. If I was one of those Marines or SAS, even if I lose my life, I want to know that someones coming for me, and I won’t be left behind.We need the Brits, Aussies, and the rest of the coalition in establishing new directions in an ever changing combat environment. I prefer to keep the War on Terror in Iraq, Iran, Syrian, anywhere but my backyard again. Oh XGman, the FREE flow of oil is currently costing about $3.50 in the US.
“You are fake Americans and you should go back to Britain where you probably immigrated here from.“
Grammar aside, jtw, I’m not a fake American, and niether are any of the other British on this site that have stood up for themselves, their brothers in arms and their country.
but what’s more, I AM in Britain right now in England to be presise, in the city of Lancaster. (that would be the real one, as opposed to the one in California, Phillidelphia, Texas, or any other US state.) Actually that’s a good point… How many of your cities are named after ours? New YORK? Birmingham,Alabama? Manchester, New Hampshire? hey, on that one you took a city AND a county name! any more? it’s intresting
I would like to take time out to say that I DO like the US and it’s peoples, it’s just so dis-heartening when you actually discover and talk to the ignorant ones.
Oz– I love the crack about the American Beer…
As a political science major and vietnam veteran the 9\11 “attack” never passed the “sniff test”. Now several books have been published directly linking the Bush administration to 9\11. Impeach hell, if not for our gutless congressional reps Bush and his cronies should be strung up from the nearest tree. By the way I am against capital punishment.
I have no problems with Scotland. Im sure after N. Ireland, it will be Scotland that wants independance. When I say Britain I say England. I dont consider Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland a part of Britain.
You never explained to me the tactic involved in dressing up like Arabs and killing Iraqi police. If these Iraqi police deserved it wouldnt it make sense to kill them without deception? I would like your explanation. Oh wait, you probably dont have freedom of speech. The King will have you thrown in the torture chamber somewhere in the church basement for treason and speaking out. Its ok I understand.
the reasons are not going to be told for why they went on that operation, most likely they were cracking down on a high ranking terrorist group to do with muktadar al sadr, the SAS then were confronted by iraqi police now maybe they didnt stop and the police started firing i dont know but most likely the SAS have gone in again and got the job done oh and quite a rescue mission wasnt it! last thing we have a queen not a king them laws are long gone and only a small number of Scots want independence probably as much as the south USA dont like the north which is probably not that much these days.
Another thing as another american mentioned, yes there was the revolutionary war but the USA has had more positive history with Great Britain than any other country in the world and still are today now the United Kingdom might seem a small country but it is within the top 5 most wealthy nations so yeh a good ally!
JTW,
Next time you feel like insulting my comrades in arms, have the balls to do it in person, not on a website.
You are without doubt one of the most ignorant idiots Ive ever had the misfortune to have to read about.
People like you do not deserve the protection of the Armed Forces of any the great nations fighting in Iraq. I dont care about the political arguments of should we be there or not, we are and our soldiers are paying with thier lives for the decisions of our politicians. You vote dont you? Then you are responsible!
As for your drivel about the IRA, stick to talking about what you know very little about, stay away from topicks you know nothing about and youll only look like a halfwit instead of the no-wits at all you really are.
So JTW,
i hope you have a better idea about the United Kingdom im glad you at least show some intrest for our nation unfortunately some of it is wrong scotland has its own country and its own national anthem but it is part of the UK, only a small percentage of people want independance from the rest of Great Britain probably as much as southern people want the confederate states of america today, and as for Northern Ireland they are more proud to be British than the English, as for Wales well thats practically England just a different name, i have mates in all 3 countrys thats also how i know, but you should have your own country to worry about. The US is a good place to live and visit but there is still alot of downsides to the country now im not saying Britain is better because it isnt.
Bill Hamilton a Viet Nam vet? If he was, he was probably one of the 5th columnist REMF’s who went around sturing up racial shit so the press could report on it. That’s assuming that he wasn’t actually driving a truck on a base back in the states.
Bill Hamilton,
I would think that someone with the education that you claim to have wouldn’t believe Michael Moore’s movie Fahrenheit 9/11. But I guess you still believe in Santa Claus to. (Sorry for ruining it for you). But while we’re on the subject, did you hear how if you fold the $20 bill to resemble a paper airplane you can see the two towers after they have been hit? I’m sure you and your conspiracy buddies can have a long talk about that one.
Its getting quiet on here
What they were obviously doing was gathering intelligence — which is one of the things the SAS does. If they had in fact been on a bombing/shooting mission, there would have been an extraction team standing by and they never would have been caught.
The important thing is for the US to not do what was done in Guatemala, El Salvador, etc. Train locals to kill persons who disagree with US companies. These Brits weren’t likely to be doing this for the CIA.
Yeh thats right if the SAS was on a shooting mission 1 they wouldnt of got caught and 2 there would have been more than 2 of them there would of been about 4, but keep it up the US & Britain are doing a good job.
Having read the clear,concise and dispassionate outline of UK actions by JTW, I can’t but agree with him that somebody is out of their mind, but it is not Britan JTW, may I suggest that you look in the mirror?
To that of the question posted by Desert Rat, right now i think our biggest concern is afghanistan over iraq simply because of the fact that bin laden is in the surrounding areas and most of the high ranking terrorists. This is my oppinion of what should now be done…America should set up around 4–5 major bases in the country and withdraw the troops into them and send some to afganistan. As for the Brits who have approx 8.500 troops in iraq should set up around 2 major bases in the south and withdraw around 2.000 troops to be sent to afghanistan.
People, you should not let JTW get to you so. This person is obviously a child or, if not, an adult with the mentality of a child and therefore should not be taken too seriously. On the other hand, I do agree that he needs to have his ass kicked.
To the Clueless asses who think I can be told what to believe, think and/or support by ANYONE!
You are IDIOTS and you have NO clue about me because if you did you NEVER would have said I am led anywhere by anyone.
Were I that type of person I would still be a Christian rather than taking the time-effort to study-research and become a proud Atheist.
Our actions in rmoving Saddam from power and freeing the Iraq people are a necessary part of our war on terror. Anyone who does not know that is either ignorant of SUFFICENT facts, OR they are too “F“ing STUPID to understand the facts. (Most probably the latter.)
Neil C. Reinhardt
JTW,
YOU ARE AN IDIOT!
The SAS is one of the best, if not the best military unit in the world.
The Brits are great!
Neil C. Reinhardt
And Steve,
Your IDIOT comments show it is you who is uninformed! I’ll bet you believe the world is flat and that gold comes from lead.
Your knowledge of Saddam & how he got into power proves that fat ugly stupid M. Moore leads you around by the nose.
What is you IQ level — 2?
Want to buy some Pacific beach front property in Kansas? As clueless as you are I am sure you would jump at that.
Neil C. Reinhardt
PS. I play beach volleyball every Sat. & Sun. on the courts at 29th & the Stand in Manhattan Beach, Ca. So do not think I hide behind my computer when I call people what they are. Please note I also use my full name.
Stop The Hating!
Well, Bill Hamilton, Bush had NOTHING to do with causing 9/11 and anyoone who says he did is an IDIOT!
I most certainly do not like Bush pushing his religion and some of his programs. Still, that does not mean I will stand by and let idiots like you lie about him.
Neil C. Reinhardt
Obama bin Laden and his merry men
looked into the wood
and what did they see