Hundreds Of Terrorists Killed In ‘Secret War’ Against Al-Qaeda In Iraq
31 Aug 2008
More than 3,500 insurgents have been “taken off the streets of Baghdad” by the elite British force in a series of audacious “Black Ops” over the past two years.
It is understood that while the majority of the terrorists were captured, several hundred, who were mainly members of the organisation known as “al-Qa’eda in Iraq” have been killed by the SAS.
The SAS is part of a highly secretive unit called “Task Force Black” which also includes Delta Force, the US equivalent of the SAS.
The prime targets have been those intent on joining the wave of suicide car bombers that claimed around 3,000 lives a month in Baghdad at the height of the terrorist campaign in 2006.
Using intelligence gleaned from spies and informers, Task Force Black has nearly broken the back of the terrorist network and reduced bombings in Baghdad from about 150 a month to just two.
But the success of the covert mission came at a price – six members of the SAS were killed and more than 30 were injured. Delta Force has suffered in the region of 20 per cent casualties.
A senior British officer told The Sunday Telegraph: “We took over 3,500 terrorists off the streets of Baghdad in around 18 months.
“You could say it was a very successful period. But the butcher’s bill was high. The attrition rate is equivalent to that experienced by the SAS during the Malayan insurgency 50 years ago.
“The relationship between the SAS and Delta Force is very close,” he added. “If anything, the attrition rate in Delta Force is higher. Two years ago the SAS made a donation to Delta Force’s ‘widows and orphans’ fund of £10,000.”
Senior sources denied that the SAS was taking part in “extra-judicial killings” and added that any incident which appeared to be in breach of the British Army’s rules of engagement would be investigated internally by the unit and by the Royal Military Police if any wrongdoing was suspected.
The source said: “There is no shoot-to-kill policy in Iraq, but there are only a few ways of stopping a suicide bomber. A British lawyer is present during the planning stages of every operation and our troops operate under British rules, not American rules.”
The SAS began to concentrate almost exclusively on reducing the car bomb threat in Iraq at the same time that the US military launched its so-called “surge”, which saw an additional 30,000 American troops move into the most dangerous areas of Baghdad, in early 2007.
Gen David Petraeus, the head of the US forces in Iraq, who is due to leave his post shortly, has praised the courage of the SAS.
He said: “They have helped immensely in Baghdad … they have done a phenomenal job.”
In one incident, SAS troops rented a pink pick-up truck, removed their body armour to blend in with locals, and drove through the traffic to catch a key target.
“It was brilliant, actually,” Gen Petraeus said. “They have exceptional initiative, exceptional skill, exceptional courage and, I think, exceptional savvy. I can’t say enough about how impressive they are in thinking on their feet.”
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What’s even more amazing is that the British were able to accomplish anything in light of their ultra-PC mindset.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:06 pmWhat’s even more amazing is that the British were able to accomplish anything in light of their ultra-PC mindset.
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That would be the British government .. you know .. the politicians who have to change their opinion with each change in the weather.
The special operators, on the other hand, are very pragmatic … if it works its good … if it doesn’t then don’t (even try to) do it.
They also believe what you don’t know about me and my chums probably can’t hurt us and their all time favorite: “it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission”
August 31st, 2008 at 12:16 pmTo The American Delta Forces;
August 31st, 2008 at 1:05 pmThank you for your service and protecting the nation. We love you.
And kudos to the famed SAS members. We love you too!
Thank you for your service. We love the fact that our “Mother Country” is with us on the “War on Islamic Fascists”. (Despite many politicians in both our nations that refuse to recognize the danger we are in because of the sillyness of PC.)
Cheers.
Wait till code pink hears about the brits using one of thier
August 31st, 2008 at 1:05 pmpickup truck!!!!!!
their
August 31st, 2008 at 1:05 pm“Senior sources denied that the SAS was taking part in ‘extra-judicial killings’ and added that any incident which appeared to be in breach of the British Army’s rules of engagement would be investigated internally by the unit and by the Royal Military Police if any wrongdoing was suspected.”
I wonder if there’s a push in England for military cases to be tried by civil courts.
August 31st, 2008 at 1:28 pmI have a friend in London who is always fighting the PC attitudes. He sticks out like a sore thumb but he can handle it. He’s from Wales.
August 31st, 2008 at 1:30 pmBoom-Boom…
…out go the lights
August 31st, 2008 at 1:33 pmI am so glad that these kind of operations are going on. You know, I don’t care if I don’t even hear about them.
August 31st, 2008 at 1:41 pmThe Brits may be training for future combat in their own country.
Political correctness will kill millions before the war ends.
August 31st, 2008 at 2:01 pmThere is a huge percentage of this war that is being fought in the black.
One day when we are all old and gray watching the History channel with the grand kids it will be entertaining.
August 31st, 2008 at 3:27 pmCoupl’a points to make…
“But the success of the covert mission came at a price – six members of the SAS were killed and more than 30 were injured. ”
“More than 3,500 insurgents have been “taken off the streets of Baghdad” by the elite British force in a series of audacious “Black Ops” over the past two years.”
Okay, now - 3,500 vs. 36 casualties sounds like a VERY one-sided victory to me. And yet the British press still makes it sound like some sort of waste.
Secondly…
“A British lawyer is present during the planning stages of every operation and our troops operate under British rules, not American rules.”
…which simultaneously shows the PC-bullshit-foolishness of the Brit hierarchy and implies that there is something wrong and possibly illegal about “American rules”. Fuck you, too.
This story comes with a host of assholes, from the British government to its generalship to its press. In spite of all those fucktards, good work, gents - the Brits actually on the ground dispensing justice are magnificent.
August 31st, 2008 at 3:55 pmmike morose oops mose,do piss off old boy.and its rules of engagement that are different,you have yours we have ours,if you were to ignore the bleating of the anti war press reporters[wah wah 36 dead wah wah]its still a bloody good show,the buggers have to stir the shit to justify their constant hand wringing.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:25 amThe way British politicians are setting their country up for the fall, it’s a damn good thing they have a highly motivated and skilled core of men and women ready. I have a special affection for our progenitors and wish them good luck but also with they would wake the hell up to the threat that is among them. The enemy is down at the chemist and in the Doctor’s office and behind the counter of the chip shop.
September 1st, 2008 at 8:46 amA garbage pick up service would be a profitable endeavor
September 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pmbillie
Several years ago I read on strategypage .com that if SAS is not actually on British Common Wealth ground or that of Britain’s Allies, SAS LITERALLY HAS A “LICENSE TO KILL”.
Without fear of prosecution back home.
That may be the difference between SAS and Delta’s R.O.E.’s
PS - That’s where Ian Fleming got the phrase.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:42 pmGen Petraeus is some guy.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:42 pmHe’s done a tremendous job since he took over and I hope there isn’t a resurgence after he leaves, I for one don’t want to see him go but if his abilities are such that he will serve better for the bigger picture, then that can only be good for us on this side.
It’s good that he’s praised our SAS too.
Nice one.
We need more of these. This is what the middle east understands, this is what they should get…in spades.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 am