Shipment of high explosives intercepted in Iraq
U.S. military and intelligence officials tell NBC News that American soldiers intercepted a large shipment of high explosives, smuggled into northeastern Iraq from Iran only last week.
The officials say the shipment contained dozens of “shaped charges” manufactured recently. Shaped charges are especially lethal because they’re designed to concentrate and direct a more powerful blast into a small area.
“They’ll go right through a very heavily armored vehicle like an M1-A1 tank from one side right out the other side” says retired U.S. Army General Barry McCaffrey.
Military officials say there’s only one use for shaped charges - to kill American forces - and insurgents started using them in Iraq with deadly effectiveness three months ago.
Intelligence officials believe the high-explosives were shipped into Iraq by the Iranian Revolutionary guard or the terrorist group Hezbollah, but are convinced it could not have happened without the full consent of the Iranian government.
I would consider that an act of war - if we can prove it. Of course, I would also consider kidnapping diplomats and holding them hostage an act of war…
Hat tip: LGF
At the very least they can stop calling them IEDs. They are no longer improvized.
Comment by Walter E. Wallis — 6 Aug, 2005 @ 11:18
Who cares if it was authorized by what-ever faction.
If the devices are at the Iranian border and heading WEST, it is damned obvious that tie Iranian GOVERNMENT is behind and financing the shipment.
About time we waked up, doncha think???
Comment by Bill Ewing — 7 Aug, 2005 @ 05:05
If we don’t have aerial photos we can use to backtrack shipments to their source we should have. Track back, blow up. Inform Iran/Syria of three strike law.
Comment by Walter E. Wallis — 7 Aug, 2005 @ 14:38