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"Incident" reported in Gulf waterway-(US/British Military seized by Iranians)
tiscali ^ | 23/03/2007 10:39 | tiscali

Posted on 03/23/2007 3:48:15 AM PDT by Flavius

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - British forces said on Friday there had been "an incident" in the northern Arabian Gulf after an Iraqi fisherman reported seeing up to seven British or American military personnel being seized by an Iranian ship.

"There has been an incident somewhere in the north of the Persian Gulf," British military spokesman Major David Gell said in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, without elaborating.

He said he did not know whether any British or American servicemen were involved.

The fisherman said the incident took place early on Friday in the Shatt al-Arab waterway that marks the southern stretch of Iraq’s border with Iran. His account could not be immediately confirmed.

The fisherman, who asked not be named, said six or seven foreign military personnel were on two small boats that stopped to check Iranian ships in the Siban area of the waterway, near the al-Faw peninsula that leads into the northern Arabian Gulf.

When they boarded one ship, at least two Iranian vessels appeared on the scene and the military personnel were detained. There was no sign of any violent confrontation he said.

He said the merchant ships had stopped in a narrow area of the waterway where smaller boats normally pull alongside to take on board goods. The fisherman said British and American forces patrolled the area and frequently searched the ships.

Earlier, an Iraqi sailor on a merchant ship told Reuters he had witnessed the incident but later said he had only heard about it.

Iraq and Iran have a long history of disputes along the waterway. Iran briefly seized three British naval patrol boats in the area in June 2004.

In January 2006, the Iranian coastguard stopped three Iraqi vessels Tehran said had crossed into Iranian waters, prompting Iraqi officials to accuse Iran of taking hostage nine Iraqis working on the vessels.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 200406; 200601; 200703; alfaw; davidgell; gell; iran; persiangulf; shattalarab; usa
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1 posted on 03/23/2007 3:48:17 AM PDT by Flavius
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To: Flavius
and they are off


2 posted on 03/23/2007 3:49:37 AM PDT by Flavius (Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellumhttp://www.defense-update.com/images/GOLAN_URBAN.jpg)
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To: Flavius

Iran has threatened to be taking hostages, such is one of the ways of war especially in that area.


3 posted on 03/23/2007 3:50:12 AM PDT by bvw
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To: Flavius

This Reuters report is the only thing I can find on the story at the moment.


4 posted on 03/23/2007 3:51:44 AM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: Flavius

Wasn't it reported that a couple of our aircraft carriers were over there?

They'd better watch their @sses!


5 posted on 03/23/2007 3:58:48 AM PDT by poobear (This "culture of corruption" has been festering on both sides for too long.)
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To: Dog; jeffers; jhpigott

fyi


6 posted on 03/23/2007 4:03:07 AM PDT by Cap Huff
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To: mewzilla
Meanwhile....

Exclusive: Embassies in Teheran prepare escape plans

7 posted on 03/23/2007 4:06:27 AM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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ABC radio news wires have picked this up, but no further details


8 posted on 03/23/2007 4:07:49 AM PDT by KneelBeforeZod (I have five dollars for each of you)
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To: Flavius
This is Brigadier Kerla, speaking for the High Command. There has been an incident on Praxis. However, everything is under control. We have no need for assistance. Obey treaty stipulations and remain outside the Neutral Zone. This transmission ends now.
9 posted on 03/23/2007 4:09:47 AM PDT by starbase (Understanding Written Propaganda (click "starbase" to learn 22 manipulating tricks!!))
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To: Flavius

Oh boy. Here we go!


10 posted on 03/23/2007 4:10:09 AM PDT by Fierce Allegiance (There are 2 types of Rudy fans - the uninformed or anti-conservative TROLLS who do not belong on FR)
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To: Dog

Heads up


11 posted on 03/23/2007 4:15:56 AM PDT by Iowa Granny
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To: gonzo
FYI.

L

12 posted on 03/23/2007 4:18:40 AM PDT by Lurker (Calling islam a religion is like calling a car a submarine.)
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To: poobear

Why?
You don't think we'll have the nads to do anything do you?
I mean Ronald Reagan isn't president.


13 posted on 03/23/2007 4:21:11 AM PDT by Joe Boucher
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To: mewzilla

I heard a little snippet on the radio this morning - no mention of US servicemen - but that it was an incident involving only British sailors being taken hostage.


14 posted on 03/23/2007 4:22:24 AM PDT by AD from SpringBay (We have the government we allow and deserve.)
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To: AD from SpringBay

I've only been able to find stories sourced from that one Reuters report. Nothing new yet.


15 posted on 03/23/2007 4:23:44 AM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: Joe Boucher

Especially if it threatens our relations with Mexico in some convoluted way.


16 posted on 03/23/2007 4:23:50 AM PDT by ovrtaxt (I not only want my child left behind, but left alone for me to direct, not some bureaucrat.)
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To: MindBender26

Ping


17 posted on 03/23/2007 4:32:24 AM PDT by Cap Huff
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To: mewzilla; MindBender26
I'll link it here, if I may :)

Iranians Sieze British Sailors

18 posted on 03/23/2007 4:32:47 AM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: ovrtaxt

"Why? You don't think we'll have the nads to do anything do you? I mean Ronald Reagan isn't president."

"Especially if it threatens our relations with Mexico in some convoluted way."

You guys crack me up!


19 posted on 03/23/2007 4:37:30 AM PDT by mutley
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To: mutley

Sad that we've gotten to this, isn't it?


20 posted on 03/23/2007 4:41:33 AM PDT by ovrtaxt (I not only want my child left behind, but left alone for me to direct, not some bureaucrat.)
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