Posted on 09/24/2007 6:36:46 PM PDT by blam
British forces help free Italians in Afghanistan
Last Updated: 1:43am BST 25/09/2007
British special forces were involved in a daring raid to rescue two kidnapped Italians in Afghanistan.
Commandos from the Special Boat Service (SBS) joined a multi-national military team led by Italian troops to free the two intelligence officers who have been missing since Saturday.
A fierce gun battle broke out when the SBS force ambushed the kidnappers as they tried to move the Italians in two four-wheel drive vehicles.
One of the Italians was seriously wounded while the other has non-life threatening injuries. At least nine of the kidnappers were killed.
The toll may include the Afghan driver who was working with the Italian officers when they were kidnapped. There were unconfirmed reports last night he may have been complicit in the kidnapping.
The elite British troops were later praised by Italian senator Alfredo Mantovano for their efforts, it was reported.
The politician said: "I would like to express my sincere thanks to the British troops who made a decisive contribution to the rescue of the two Italians."
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said the operation was a success and could put a dent in Afghanistan's rising kidnapping industry.
Mr Prodi, in New York where he is attending the UN General Assembly, said the rescue "was a heavy defeat for the kidnappers and therefore a warning for the future".
He added: "We did not have one moment of hesitation in giving the mandate to those who were in the field to act with the utmost determination."
Italy has been criticised by its Nato allies for negotiating with kidnappers in the past. In March, Rome allegedly conspired with the Afghan government to release five Taliban militants from prison in exchange for the safe return of a journalist in March.
Yep. that the way to “negotiate”
The first report mentioned ISAF which is kinda interesting in itself.
The reluctant Pakistanis had the tanks.
To be honest i thought that the italians were done for upon their kidnapping. But as they weren’t killed quickly they were taken for other reasons. if the italians are into negotiation, then it was a financial kidnapping.
thats the madness with negotiating with these boys. If you give in and trade, then they know they will get something from you if they commit similar acts in the future.
hostage rescue is what most SF are proficient in. And in this case, with the superb SBS, the job was done very well indeed.
Great stuff.
From the WaPo:
September 25, 2007
Commando Raid Rescues 2 Italians In Afghanistan
By Associated Press
KABUL, Sept. 24 — Italian commandos, aided by other NATO forces and aircraft, rescued two kidnapped Italian intelligence operatives Monday in a daring ambush and gun battle that left at least nine of the captors dead in western Afghanistan.
Although both freed Italians were wounded — one of them seriously — Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi proclaimed the operation a success and said it could put a dent in Afghanistan’s growing kidnapping industry.
Violence elsewhere in Afghanistan killed at least 31 people, among them two NATO soldiers serving with Spain’s contingent and an Iranian serving as their interpreter who were killed in a land mine explosion, the Spanish defense minister said.
The two Italians, who were described by Defense Minister Arturo Parisi in Rome as working for the Sismi intelligence service, disappeared along with two Afghan colleagues on Saturday. They were last seen at a police checkpoint in western Herat province.
Parisi told Parliament that Italian forces were aided by British, German and U.S. forces, who were monitoring the kidnappers with a Predator drone aircraft and helicopters.
British special forces.......THE best in the world without a shadow of a doubt with an unrivaled track record going back to the early days of WW2.
Here’s to ‘em.
Congrats to the Italians and Brit soldiers (and others)
According to the latest articles the SBS were at the sharp end and accounted for most of the kidnappers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,2176438,00.html
“The SBS was very much in the forefront of the mission. Most of the firefight was with our guys,” a defence source said. “They are very chuffed,” he added.
Its great to see nations working together like this! I’m very glad that these men were rescued and hope that they make a full recovery.
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