In addition to territory being a common cause of war, it might also be interesting to look at the proportion of border incidents that become international incidents.
"U.S. soldiers [and] Iraqi forces on a routine joint patrol along the border with Iran, when they spotted two Iranian soldiers retreating from Iraqi territory back into Iran. A moment later, U.S. and Iraqi forces came
upon a third Iranian soldier on the Iraqi side of the border, who stood his ground. As U.S. and Iraqi soldiers approached the Iranian officer and began speaking with him, a platoon of Iranian soldiers appeared and moved to surround the coalition patrol, taking up positions on high ground. At that point, according to the Army's statement, the Iranian captain told the U.S. and Iraqi soldiers that if they tried to leave they would be fired on. Fearing abduction by the Iranians, U.S. troops moved to go anyway, and fighting broke out.
upon a third Iranian soldier on the Iraqi side of the border, who stood his ground. As U.S. and Iraqi soldiers approached the Iranian officer and began speaking with him, a platoon of Iranian soldiers appeared and moved to surround the coalition patrol, taking up positions on high ground. At that point, according to the Army's statement, the Iranian captain told the U.S. and Iraqi soldiers that if they tried to leave they would be fired on. Fearing abduction by the Iranians, U.S. troops moved to go anyway, and fighting broke out.
5 comments:
This event occurred on 07 SEP 06. It is not new information, but with the recent seizing of the 15 British sailors it is now very relevant. When the Iranian's were unsuccessful in capturing these American and Iraqi forces back in September, they moved to capture the British sailors. It might just be me, but I'm pretty sure Iran's intentions are now very clear.
It's a war of humiliation now, with the broadcasting of all of these "confessions" and "apologies".
Let's not forget that this is the 2nd time that British forces have illegally crossed Iranian borders, but hopefully this matter will be resolved diplomatically, so Pres. Bush won't be able to extend his reign of power for a few more years due to causes of war (Worst case scenario). But if the Iranians don't comply soon (in two aspects: release of troops and desire of nuclear power), I think the British will definately take action in getting their troops and it will give the U.S. a motive to intervene as well (with an ally, the British) in reference the nuclear power issue.
Let's not forget that this is the 2nd time that British forces have illegally crossed Iranian borders
What are you talking about? The Brits were patrolling Iraqi waters when they were seized by Iran. Ayatollahs know that the nuclear issue is getting hot so they want a distraction. Nothing like a good old trick from the revolutionary days.
The Iranians released coordinates of the British soldiers and they were in Iraqi waters. When this was brought to their attention, they changed them so that the coordinates read they were in Iranian waters. Commentator is dead on with saying it's a distraction.
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