Hundreds of terrorists killed by the SAS!
The SAS had played a key part in defeating a network of car bombers in Baghdad that had brought devastation to the capital. 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.”
Telegraph
But, they are also only Humans, not supermen.
Everbody thinks of them as been 6 feet square, and hard as nails,where rounds just bounce off them....
The reality is, they go home at the end of the day to their families, and mow the lawn or fix the leaky roof....
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
No, we were in different compounds..
Alexa was also in a compound in Saudi that was attacked by terrorists. Were you guys in the same place at the same time?
I was brought up in Connecticut, the home of Colt and Smith & Wesson. The state is the main manufacturer of guns in the US but all the time I was growing up, we never had guns in the house and I never knew anyone that owned a hand gun. Strange huh?
Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about
Why worry, what happens, happens...
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
I was in a compound in Saudi that was attacked by terrorists..Lost four good friends.. My son got hit by sharpnel..You guys are right.. Makes you appreciate life a bit more ..
unruly problems we have now!
Good on you again MP!
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
Been shot at twice, once at close range with a shotgun!
It changes your life and thinking a lot!
I left that life and went to Uni!
:)
He was in the flying NAAFI..
I'm proud of you MP... More youngsters should do military service..
QT, i was yer typical 16 yr old gung ho Boys own hero,ready to defend my Country.
Till i lost those 2 mates...Sorta changes yer outlook on life when yer realize yer not immortal as yer think...
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
that Iraqis are being killed according to B.S, instead of ASTM
:)
Although I still think you served the boys alcohol before battle!
:-P
wow, can we see the medal MP???
I served my country proudly for 7 n half years sunshine !
Been to a combat zone, lost 2 mates and got a medal....
And drunk copious amounts of booze as well..
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
What did you do? Serve the boys alcohol before battle?
Do I detect a bit of that cynic becoming a recluse, and Mr optimism rearing his ugly head!
:)
Of course theres "Black ops" going on.There is everywhere, not just in combat zones.The Mossad and KGB are still active in most countries.
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
I suppose the patriotic part of me really does believe that the SAS is the creme de la creme of special forces..
“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.”
If you believe the other crap, why not believe this?
The story sounds like another piece of propanda to convince people all is going well in Iraq and prepare for a dteady withdrawal whilst claiming victory!
Suicide bomber, the "commodity" used by insurgents deplete after every use, so the fall in numbers of bombing may just be a direct correlation to the falling number of bombers.
Also more Delta Force casualties than SAS, yet they are still commanded by the SAS? Something fishy here me thinks!
I was worried more about the aspect of selective execution..
As far as the attrition rate is concerned, I would probably expect that to be true, since the yanks tend to be a bit more gung-ho than the Brits..
payback time, huh QT...