Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribesman
So in the first it appears the British were in Iranian waters where they are not allowed to be
|
The Iranian claim they were in Iranian waters the British claim they were still in Iraqi waters.
Quote:
|
in the second they were in disputed waters where they certainly are not allowed to be.
|
They are allowed to be their since they are operating on behalf of the Iraqi government.
The reason these waters are disputed is tides. A high tide the line of demarcation is in one position at low its at another. Also neither the Iranians or Iraqis will come to an agreement over just where the border is, one side wants it down the center of the Shatt al-Arab while the other wants it at shore.
The reason the IRGCN is harassing Coalition forces and Iraqi shipping in this area is that:
A) Coalition patrols make it difficult to smuggle
weapons in to Iraq and
fuel out.
B)
Coalition patrols prevent them from extorting the Iraqi fisherman for protection.