Six Military Policemen killed in Iraq

[rov1200]

With Iraq releasing the 2 suspects of the killing because witnesses did not come forward do you think in hindsight if they had shot some of the rioters they could have saved their own lives?

[T&S]

That wasn't an option really as eachof them had only been issued 50 rounds. Notwithstanding that, the Rules of Engagement they were adhering to were stringent, meaning when there did become a threat to theirs or their comrades lives, it may have been too late.

[eyethenkyew]

They were besieged by allegedly some 400 rioters, therefore calm conclusions reached in hindsight are totally superfluous.

[Zeuhl]

Having radios that worked would have helped.

Or some means of contacting the Paras who had entered the town just around the corner, engaged in a brief firefight then withdrawn.

Hindsight is a great way of seeing through the fog of war.
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[anotheoldgit]

Once again the British power lords think more of 'Johnny Foreigner' than their own kind.

/// A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "Seven further arrest warrants remain outstanding and are being actively pursued by the Iraqi authorities"

Why is it being left to the Iraqis, it is obvious they have a vested interest? The British military should have already been on the top of this and the killers captured and rushed through a Military Court.

Who are they kidding, out of about 400 involved in these murders, they could only apprehend nine suspects, two who have already been released?.

Come on take off those velvet gloves, and let our lads have a real go at them.

[rov1200]

The rules of engagement are obviously wrong. To protect their own skins they should have been allowed to shoot at the ringleaders. You can imagine what must have been going through their minds for fear of a court martial. We should take a leaf out of the yanks training manual.....if in doubt shoot first and answer questions later.

[andy-hughes]

No. Shooting from the MP's would simply have brought the outcome sooner, rather than later.

We should never lose sight of the fact that we are the invaders here, and we are in a country whose population hate us with a passion, and are far more willing to lay down their lives to defend their country and traditions than any career soldiers counting the days until they can get out of there.

Before anyone starts ranting - I would not wish any single person from either side to lose their life over this pointless and tragic invasion policy - but the fact remains that until troops withdraw, deaths will continue to be a daily occurence - none more or less tragic than any that have gone before, or any that are to come.

[rov1200]

AOG my understanding they have all now been released. They released 5 suspects early on and the final two were released this week. No witnesses, no killers brought to justice, nothing, s0d all.

[anotheoldgit]

What do they always say?

Lessons have been learnt.

What's the betting?

[andy-hughes]

I can hear it now AOG - the biggest tragedy of all, is that lessons are not learned - Viet Nam anyone?