The 'proxy war': UK troops are sent to Iranian border

[Gloria]

Source: Independent, UK

The 'proxy war': UK troops are sent to Iranian border
British soldiers return to action as tensions between US and Iran grow
Published: 12 September 2007

British forces have been sent from Basra to the volatile border with Iran amid warnings from the senior US commander in Iraq that Tehran is fomenting a "proxy war".

In signs of a fast-developing confrontation, the Iranians have threatened military action in response to attacks launched from Iraqi territory while the Pentagon has announced the building of a US base and fortified checkpoints at the frontier.

The UK operation, in which up to 350 troops are involved, has come at the request of the Americans, who say that elements close to the Iranian regime have stepped up supplies of weapons to Shia militias in recent weeks in preparation for attacks inside Iraq.

The deployment came within a week of British forces leaving Basra Palace, their last remaining base inside Basra city, and withdrawing to the airport for a widely expected final departure from Iraq. Brigadier James Bashall, commander of 1 Mechanised Brigade, based at Basra said: "We have been asked to help at the Iranian border to stop the flow of weapons and I am willing to do so. We know the points of entry and I am sure we can do what needs to be done. The US forces are, as we know, engaged in the 'surge' and the border is of particular concern to them."


MOREMOREMORE MORE!!

Read more: http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2953462.ece

---

Read the whole article!!

A new poodle in Britain, it seems....... what a frightening turn of events!

[pinto]

1. Dangerous and ill-advised brinkmanship.

Former President Carter made a good point - we need to have *direct* discussion with Iran about the regional situation. Geez, we have direct discussions with a nuclearized, on-the-brink-of-disintegrating ally (Pakistan) which teeters on the edge of fundamentalism. Seems a small step to have talks with another Islamic state that has a legitimate, if lost, history of parliamentary democracy.

[Gloria]

2. This is total insanity and should be called just that by one of our fearless Democratic leaders.

They are almost as sickening as Bushco at this point....

[rodeodance]

4. Carter called for direct talks today between IraN and the US.

[rodeodance]

5. British commanders feel that they cannot turn down the fresh American request for help after refusin

........For the British military the move to the border is a change of policy. They had stopped patrols along the long border at Maysan despite US concerns at the time that the area would become a conduit for weapons into Iraq.

The decision to return to the frontier has been heavily influenced by the highly charged and very public dispute with the United States. British commanders feel that they cannot turn down the fresh American request for help after refusing to delay the withdrawal from Basra Palace. They also maintain that the operation will stop Iranian arms entering Basra.

Brigadier Bashall said: "We are not sitting here idly at the air bridge. The security of Basra is still our responsibility and we shall act where necessary. We are also prepared to restore order in Basra City if asked to do so."

The US decision to build fortifications at the Iranian border, after four years of presence in Iraq, shows, say American commanders, that the "Iranian threat" is now one of their main concerns.

[pinto]

6. Geez. I don't think the Congressional Democrats had anything to do with British troop deployments,

or the actual day-to-day conduct of our misadventure in Iraq which the Brits apparently used as justification for their action. Our conduct of the occupation, the 'surge', etc. remains the responsibility of this (R) administration.

Yeah, a Democratic Congress can move to bring it to a close, but day to day decisions in operations have little to do with Congress.

And, I hope Congress does speak up about this. Seems to have just been reported, so I doubt few even are aware of this in Congress.

There's not going to be an instant resolution to this mess, under anyone's watch. It's a clusterf*&k of bad decisions.

To be honest, I'd like to see some calls from Congress for a reality check, some negotiations, some regional - above board - involvement and an efficient, timely withdrawal that minimizes harm all around. For the Shia, the Sunni, the Kurds, us, the British...It's a long shot, but the trend seems to be disintegration or long term occupation. Both deadly consequences.

[seriousstan]

3. I had to check to see if this was Joe for Clark. Sorry Joe. You have me on edge.

This is interesting.