UK Forces in Iran: Deja-Vu All Over Again
The detention of 15 British sailors by Iran on Friday in the Shatt al-Arab waterway echoes a similar incident in the disputed area in 2004.
+
+
On June 21 of that year, three British river-patrol boats carrying eight Royal Navy sailors were detained by Iran after apparently straying across the Shatt al-Arab waterway into Iranian territory, a situation that, some observers felt, provided Tehran with a timely opportunity to punish Britain and remind it and the United States not to ignore its voice in the region.
+
After top-level British-Iranian talks, the sailors were turned over to British diplomats on June 24 and taken to the British embassy in Tehran under tight security. They were then flown to Dubai. More here: Globe And Mail (Photo from the 2004 incident)
After top-level British-Iranian talks, the sailors were turned over to British diplomats on June 24 and taken to the British embassy in Tehran under tight security. They were then flown to Dubai. More here: Globe And Mail (Photo from the 2004 incident)
+
+ British sailors detained by Iranian forces in Gulf: Fifteen British sailors have been detained by Iranian forces in Iraqi waters. The members of the Royal Navy were detained in the Persian Gulf after boarding a merchant ship they believed was being used to smuggle cars into Iraq, said CTV's London Bureau Chief Tom Kennedy.
Britain said the incident took place in Iraqi waters, where it has UN permission to routinely board and search merchant vessels
Britain said the incident took place in Iraqi waters, where it has UN permission to routinely board and search merchant vessels
posted by FreeCyprus at 11:42 AM
8 Comments:
Do you think Iran was hoping to catch a certain member of the royal family?
That thought entered my mind too. I'd give Great Britain about 45 seconds to declare war if that happened. Maybe the Mad Mullahs are a bit smarter than that. Maybe.
hehe, yeah maybe some of them would like that.
But William, an officer with the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, will complete his four-and-a-half-month course safely at Dorset's Bovington Camp and then be deployed to Iraq in May.
William's expected to spend time with the RAF and Navy in preparation for his future position as head of the armed forces, but I don't think anyone believes he'll see front line duty in Iraq.
William or Harry? I don't think William is in the armed forces. The rules of Royalty probably wouldn't let him, but what do I know.
yep, 24-year-old prince willie is following in younger brother Prince Harry's footsteps by learning how to become a troop leader in charge of armoured Scimitar vehicles. But my mistake, it's William who "wishes" to be in frontline duty but Harry's the one who's already confirmed he's being deployed to Iraq in May of this year. He's pushing everyone to let him see some action so we'll see...Anyway, I always get those two guys mixed up.
Well I'll be darned.
obob, you have a point, though. Wouldn't Harry be a prime catch for some terrorist group! They're probably plotting it already and the Brits are probably taking extra measures to make sure they never find out where Harry will be. I'm not sure it's a good idea that he's going to Iraq just for that reason alone. No matter how valiant, courageous and dutiful he may sincerely be, extra resources have to be devoted to protecting him from harm.
I'm surprised the mother ship these British sailors came from didn't do more to stop the abduction of these sailors!
FTGF!
This is quite serious and I am praying for their safe return. Iran has proven through this that Britain and America have citizenries who are not up to doing the right thing - most probably don't even know it has happened or are willing to justify it.
As for Wiliam - the British troops on the group are none too thrilled with his going there - they know it will make them all bigger targets. (Info from a friend who is a British soldier in Iraq.)
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home