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| Britain |
| UK inquiry into capture of 15 begins |
| 2007-06-10 |
AN inquiry into the capture by Iran of 15 British sailors and marines has uncovered a series of errors ranging from a breakdown of communications between commanders to a complete lack of understanding of the threat posed by Tehran. It is analytical rather than judgmental in tone but is nevertheless damning in its assessment of events leading up to the incident, the sources added. This report is expected to form the basis for a board of inquiry into the incident in March.
It says those in charge appeared to lack any understanding of the threat posed by Iran despite an incident in June 2004 when eight marines and sailors were detained by the country’s forces on the Shatt al-Arab waterway, which separates it from Iraq. Recommendations drawn up in the wake of that incident — which concluded that both helicopter cover and a quick reaction force should always be in place — appear not to have been followed.
The failure to make a satisfactory “appreciation” resulted in the lack of any quick reaction force being available and a decision to allow the helicopter to return to Cornwall when the boarding party was most at risk.
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| Posted by:Anguper Hupomosing9418 |