US bombs own convoy in N Iraq

BBC News ^ | Sunday, 6 April, 2003, 08:37 GMT 09:37 UK | BBC News World (John Simpson)

[malamute]

US forces have bombed a convoy of American special forces and Kurdish civilians in northern Iraq, the BBC's world affairs editor John Simpson says.

John Simpson, who himself suffered minor injuries in the attack, said he could see a lot of bodies.

He described the attack as a "bad own goal" by the Americans.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2921743.stm

[malamute]

prayers for the injured

[Jhoffa_]

Oh my gosh..

We can make bombs fly through windows but we can't positively ID our own troops?

Why is that?

[Steven W.]

oh no! and this is the stuff we'd moved through Turkey behind the scenes while all the political stuff was going on!

[dandelion]

How do they know if it was the U.S. that bombed them?
Just curious...

[Steven W.]

because US owns the skies and, unless it was artillery, which it's hard to believe wasn't distinguished, one has to presume it's coalition air support. like Gulf War I it's ironically tragic how many casualties are self-inflicted friendly fire or due to accidents.

[Ingtar]

If it was the Turks, that will complicate things some.

[Steven W.]

I've heard two reports on Saddam's air force; one was that no planes ever went up and the other was that (only) one ever did attempt to go up near the beginning of the war, went back down real quickly and was later bombed on the tarmack.

[Jhoffa_]

..the only other people it could possibly are the turks...

What kind of air power do they have? Could they have done this?

Boy, it will suck to be them if they bombed our troops.

[Steven W.]

it wasn't the Turks ... there's no room for them in the crowded air space not to mention flying out of air bases in Turkey.

[2penguins]

What I want to know is why the hell they keep letting pilots go for targets of oportunity. It's to damn dangerous.

Ask combat pilot how easy it is to tell friend from foe at 5000 feet and flying at 350 mph.

[dandelion]

They mentioned artillery the other day. I'm pretty sure they'd know the difference, but since it's BBC that's reporting it, I'd like a little more info. If the planes were seen, then that would probably indicate a friendly fire bombing - but if the planes were called in to take out an artillery position and a mortar got lobbed in under them, it might be hard to distinguish.

I'm not trying to be cynical, I just want a little more info and the facts are a little lean in the story linked...

[demlosers]

US bombs own convoy in N Iraq


US forces have bombed a convoy of American special forces and Kurdish civilians in northern Iraq, the BBC's world affairs editor John Simpson says.

John Simpson, who himself suffered minor injuries in the attack, said he could see a lot of bodies.

He described the attack as a "bad own goal" by the Americans.

The convoy contained between eight and 10 cars, two of which contained US special forces.

Among the injured is thought to be a senior Kurdish political figure, our correspondent says.

[swheats]

Among the injured is thought to be a senior Kurdish political figure, our correspondent says.

Is this normal to have a political figure travelling with the soldiers?

[Ingtar]

There were reports yesterday that the Turks were flying on the Iraq side of the border. But it is more likely a FF incident.

[malamute]

no idea

BBC is fairly reliable, although you could hardly call them a Coalition News Service

whatever the facts, some American troops (a convoy suggests troops travelling in military vehicles) have likely come under attack and there are perhaps some casualties.

this is simply news, and is posted as such.

that it is bad news i find regrettable, but hope i won't be attacked for posting it...i have no hidden agenda in posting this (except the usual conservative VRWC agenda), even if the source is the BBC.

again, this is simply news, and is posted as such.

apologies for disclaimer...we live in trying times.

[WaterDragon]

I hate these accidents! Prayers for the families. Maybe the Canadians and Brits will quit complaining that we deliberately target them. Tragic!

[dandelion]

No problem! I'm glad you posted, I was just hoping perhaps you had heard a live report or something and maybe had some information not written in the story.

You did good!