15 captured British soldiers -- Iranian or Iraqi territory?

[Eleusis]

The news coverage on the BBC presents this as they were in Iraqi water and the Iranians captured them at gun point. But, a colleague of mine has just told me that the borders are actually in dispute. Is this so? Does anyone know the story on the dispute?

BBC coverage

However, I must say though even if they did stray into Iranian waters, is that justification to capture them at gun point? I wouldn't think so!

fox - from what I understand, the Iranian fast patrol boats approached while the navy patrol was onboard the suspect freighter, they then surrounded them and took them at gunpoint.

HMS Cornwall would have been holding station a way off, the water depth may have been too shallow for her, also the navy patrol was being supported by their Lynx but of course, the helicopter would not have been allowed to take aggressive action.

Do not take this as gospel though, that's just what I've read.

Tony Tone said yesterday that what Iran had done was disgraceful and illegal

just like your war then you tosser

dont you mean nobboid oo

Enid, they are "safe" in a foreign military camp, with an unknown future, being used as pawns in a diplomatic incident, purely because they were doing their job. You might be a little more compassionate. Do they have to be totured or killed before you can work up any sympathy?

well they are soldiers

and they are not being treated unfairly

so at the moment I can't get that worked up about it

nobboid too good for him

tosser or tosspot will suffice for now

Fox, in regards to your query. I think that the sailors on board the boat took the right decision not to shoot, or start fighting with the Iranians, because they were outnumbered and facing a the republican soldiers who were allegedly heavily armed, and would know they wouldn't stand a chance. better to be taken alive I think

I thought they were taken at gunpoint upon their return to the HMS Cornwall.

And they were taken illegally because they were taken from Iraqi waters.

enid do you really have no sympathy for those soldiers what about there families here? they have wives husbands children parents etc who are worried sick about what is happening to them. Would you still have no sympathy if it was your husband or child in that situation.

i am not the only one on this site who has a partner serving in afghan or iraq at the moment and i cant speak for everyone but there isnt a single day where i dont worry about his safety and i hope you never have to experience the sick feeling you get everytime you hear another british soldier has been killed wondering if it is someone you know or love

well said, nulnulcat.

Eleusis, they had just left the suspect freighter (which wasn't smuggling anything) when they were surrounded. Cornwall is a Type 22 frigate; a fast patrol boat wouldn't dare go up against her, but seizing a small patrol craft is a different matter.

They will keep the patrol boats no doubt... they did last time.

nulnulcat, people aren't very appreciative these days. The take their freedoms for granted and forget all about those who sacrifice the lives to preserve them. It is very sad.

But, I for one, take my hat off to your partner and everyone else out there putting their lives on the line. I just wish that when they come back home it would be usual for people on the street to walk up to them and say "thank you".

Oh right. Thanks for the clarification Otis.

thank you eleusis just wish there were more people who saw it like that instead of blaming soldiers for doing there jobs.

oh god yes its all very sad for the families

but...they didnt HAVE to join up

I mean it is kind of part of the job

as I say at the moment they are unharmed and I hope it stays that way

I do have more sympathies for the citizens of Iraq and Iran too for that matter who are/will be the ones suffering far worse.

noone is blaming them

they are totally innocent

BUT they are soldiers - hopefully they have been trained to cope with this situation a lot better than a civilian would be

Sorry to be pedantic, but they are actually Sailors. I have been smiling to myself as the BBC newsreaders struggled over the weekend trying to stop theirselves from saying "Soldier"

ok enid they didnt have to join up and we didnt have to have an army which can go and help prevent some of the atrocities that go on in these countries.

on the same level we didnt need soldiers in 1939 when some german madman tried to take over the world.

i am from polish/jewish descent and im sure my relatives were more than grateful for the soldiers who didnt have to join up then

quite right saltire

I approve of that pedantry

I heard a navy sealord on the radio saying that, although obviously they are soldiers, they weren't specifically trained in how to deal with being taken hostage because it's not seen as a direct risk of their specific job (because the army/RAF are at more risk of being captured whereas the navy normally stick to their big ships - excuse lack of technical words - and are not normally challenged/captured).

and it doesnt matter if they are navy raf or army they are needed or when there are these wars would you rather your husband or son got conscripted?

sorry if im starting to rant but i just believe that they should all get more support than the criticism and lack of sympathy.

my husband was born in Canada so would start wearing a maple leaf and skis to avoid the call up

yes I agree with you all

am leaving thread before it makes me look like an army basher (which I am not)

my friends husband was in the army and wrote a book

very funny

he has left now though and come to his senses

oo you are making me larf today (esp 'fly')