Posted on 07/21/2006 5:31:01 PM PDT by blam
British capture Iraqi bombs mastermind
By Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson
(Filed: 22/07/2006)
British forces in Iraq have seized a two-ton cache of weapons - including rockets, grenades and bomb-making equipment - belonging to the gang responsible for the deaths of numerous servicemen.
More than 50 rockets, 10 rocket-propelled grenades and 150 mortars were seized following a battle
The discovery, which military commanders believe is the most significant breakthrough since they arrived in Iraq in 2003, followed the arrest of the leader of the fundamentalist Shia group in Basra last weekend.
Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, told The Daily Telegraph: "We got a very important person, the leader of a very dangerous militia gang, which will lead to a very significant deterioration in their capability … This is a sign of significant progress."
Mr Browne said Sajjad Badr Adal Saeed, the Jamaa leader who ordered the killing of many British soldiers in roadside attacks, was taken from his home in Basra last Saturday night. Ordnance tactics handbooks, fake IDs and detonators were found.
"This man was a very significant leader," Mr Browne said. "He was a planner, but he also had technical abilities which were very valuable to the militia."
Three days later, British forces used intelligence gathered at the address to track down the weapons cache and bomb-making factory.
Ministry of Defence sources said more than 50 rockets, about 10 rocket-propelled grenades and 150 mortars were seized following a battle. Improvised explosive devices - the roadside bombs that have killed so many British soldiers - were also found, fully assembled, along with mines and other weapons.
One source said: "This is the largest cache we have found in two years." Saeed was "the most significant guy arrested in Iraq" by British forces.
Three militiamen were killed in the fire-fight when the cache was seized.
Although the operation began last weekend, details have not been disclosed until now because the family of Col John Crosby, who was killed during the raid, was still being contacted by the MoD.
Mr Browne said that the arrest of the militia gang leader and the discovery of the weapons had been conducted in conjunction with Iraqi security forces and was a sign of growing co-operation in Basra. "We got very important support from them, particularly in relation to intelligence," he said. "The situation in Basra is still difficult, but our ability to sustain political support allows us to do this sort of thing."
The development will add weight to suggestions of an early withdrawal of British troops.
Mr Browne admitted that Army recruitment could have been undermined by the deaths of British soldiers in Iraq. "If people say there's an Iraq factor, or a mother factor, I'm not in a position to contradict that," he said. "Of course, I can understand it."
My, but it's gonna suck to be that guy.
bttt
This I like. Thanks for posting.
Ping.
Are they lining up the virgins?
ping
Is it my imagination or are the Brit soldiers getting more macho?
Way to go, Brits!
"My, but it's gonna suck to be that guy."
True, and on a Fri. it is worth a moments thought, no matter how badly the rest of the month goes for me, at least I'm not him.
Great news! That's what we like to hear!!
We're losing some more?!
That's a bit of an insult is it not?
I am sure anyone who has ever saw the British Army in action will tell you there is not a more courageous or professional army anywhere in the world.
HOORAY FOR THE BRITS!!!
But what I like to know is, what happens to this guy. They gonna put him in jail where they gonna maje sure nobody is goinbg to put any panties on his head, or is somebody gonna find out who is financing this s*it?
It's Bush's fault.
They are going to torture him by making hims sit through a whole series of "Sex in the City" in one go.
Maybe that is far too cruel though?
"Is it my imagination or are the Brit soldiers getting more macho?"
I think you probably meant the government, because the British soldier is up to any task given to him.
The British military, pound for pound has almost no match.
It was not meant as an insult. But you used it as an occasion to spank me, rather than comment, so I suppose you are a trader in insults.
What if Al-Reuters reported that there were no more virgins left?
"But what I like to know is, what happens to this guy. They gonna put him in jail where they gonna maje sure nobody is goinbg to put any panties on his head, or is somebody gonna find out who is financing this s*it?'
The Brits come off as a very mild, civilized people , but there isn't a dark corner of war and insurgency, and getting dirty jobs done, that the Brits haven't faced and excelled at.
If you can show me where I insulted you I would be grateful? As for you not meaning to insult the British soldier - fair enough - but it sure came across that way.
We never hear what happens to these guys after they are captured. Disappointing.
HANG THEM. NO TRIAL.
Too bad, they'd have to settle for old hags.
No, just British solders doing what British solders have done for ages … their job.
GOOD JOB!
I am pretty sure they're not being executed.
Before this gets out of hand, let's all take a step backward and respond to the original question with the correct answer: "It's just your imagination."
Whoopie, English!!!!!
:-)
And this is a Shia, not a Sunni.
Huh.
Iran connection, bet my lunch money.
That's the truth, only complete fools try to go against the British Army - and then the fools lose bigtime.
And I particularly admired this comment:
Mr Browne said that the arrest of the militia gang leader and the discovery of the weapons had been conducted in conjunction with Iraqi security forces and was a sign of growing co-operation in Basra. "We got very important support from them, particularly in relation to intelligence," he said. "The situation in Basra is still difficult, but our ability to sustain political support allows us to do this sort of thing."
I remember reading in 2003 that the British Army also seemed more skilled in the PR aspect of occupation; they usually got along better with their Iraqis, they knew how to handle them. And it certainly pays off with the capture of Saeed and all his weapons cache. Great work, well done.
Many thank to the British!!
Yep!
Our prayers for the Colonel's family and friends and company.
Killjoy.
Speaking of hands, when I last tuned in we had Claire saying Jack spanked her on FR. You want to cool things off and I want photos, videotape!!:D
Just kidding, but IMHO Claire's remark was a tad insulting, and if the British Army gets even more macho than it always has been, then the rest of us better run for cover.
"Are they lining up the virgins?"
Yes, Helen Thomas has many, many relatives, including goats and camels.
THANK YOU ENGLAND!
Yes, very much so. Lots of the more-sophisticated IED's the British have seen in the last year or so have actually been (provable) Iranian manufacture.
This, of course, will be remembered when it's turban-torching time in Tehran.
Meanwhile, the mullahs have lost their little Iraqi playmate. Too bad. I'm sure MI-6 will have him singing the entire "Ring" cycle very shortly.
The UK is made up of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland AND England hence the soldiers who did this may not even be English even though they are British and in the British Army.
As a proud Briton AND Scotsman I hope you understand? ;) :)
Here is a further clarification my friend:
"The term is perhaps most frequently found in practice in reference to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK): the word country does not necessarily connote political independence (thus 'Basque country'), so that it may, according to context, be used to refer either to the UK or one of its constituents.
Thus, for example, the website of the British Prime Minister refers to "Countries within a country", stating "The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland". This article discusses the use of the phrase 'constituent countries' within that context, but it should be remembered that the phrase necessarily takes its meaning from its surrounding context which may be different. [1]
The constituent countries of the United Kingdom are:
* England
* Northern Ireland;
* Scotland;
* Wales.
The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom, although their sovereignty is owned by the British Crown.
All four have always had and continue to have distinctive variations in legislative and administrative status and England and Scotland were originally independent states. All four are still generally regarded as possessing distinct nationalities (an attribute of civil society), although they have no distinct citizenships (an attribute of the state). To varying degrees, their inhabitants may view themselves, for example, as English/Northern Irish/Scottish/Welsh or as British by nationality, or frequently indeed as both."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constituent_Countries
FYI
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!
Way to go, Brits!
Actually, my comment comes partly from a belief that America has been overbearing in its protection of Europe and we should reduce our occupation there.
Well done to your fellow Brits! I was stationed in Scotland in the mid to late 80s (RAF Edzell) and loved it there! I still miss it (except for maybe the weather). :-)
Thank you, Colonel John Crosby, for your service. Thank you for your life. Way to go, Brits!
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