Iranians take pot shots at US-British forces in Iraq
Tempest
FAO, Southern Iraq (AFP) Mar 23, 2003
http://www.spacewar.com/2003/030323171315.pn6pil6a.html
Coalition forces have come under fire from Iranian military units across
the border from Iraq, British commandos said.
Iranian anti-aircraft gun emplacements and fixed machine-gun posts have
opened fire sporadically at British Royal Marine commandos and
low-flying US aircraft.
The 40 Commando marines were in the far southern town of Fao locked in a
fire fight with Iraqi Baath party fighters just a few hundred metres
(yards) from the border between the two countries, the Shatt al-Arab
waterway.
A Royal Marines spokesman said: "We are content that the fire from Iran
was inaccurate and ineffective, but none the less puzzling".
The first of several volleys, witnessed by a reporter from London's
Daily Mirror, was directed at a US A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack jet
which swooped low over the Iraqi town to 'buzz' a gun position.
Royal Marines spotted at least one anti-aircraft tower on the Iranian
side of the waterway attempting to target the jet.
None of the Iranian fire was accurate and all coalition personnel were
left unharmed by it.
British and US troops did not return the fire, but they have orders that
allow them to do so if it is necessary for self-defence.
Other pot shots at US-led forces from Iran further north by the border
have also been reported in the last few days.
It is not thought the incidents were given official authorisation from
Tehran. The Islamic republic's leaders publicly oppose the US-led
invasion of Iraq that begun last Thursday.
Iranians living on or near the border with Iraq were suspected of having
sympathies with their Iraqi neighbours.
--
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that
we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic
and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
Teddy Roosevelt
Eltanin
Now there's an army that will give the bullies a bloody nose!
In article <3E7E8E74...@hotmail.com>, Tempest
Tempest
Eltanin wrote:
>
> Now there's an army that will give the bullies a bloody nose!
You're talking broken bones if the U.S. tangles with them.
--