Japaneese tanker 'damaged' at mouth of Persian Gulf

[Oberon]

French I can understand, but what does Al'Qaeda have to gain by hitting Japanese shipping, they're not exactly up there on the Islamic hit list.
However, if one wants to stir things up in the area then nationality is not a concern.

[SteamWake]

Or a case of mistaken identity.

But yea my first thought was Japneese?? arent they kind of neutral in that region??

Guess not anymore.

[Skybird]

That's nothing to the news that a US coastguard cutter has rammed another oil well in the Mexican gulf, making it spilling oil 30 m up into the air.

Fate surely has a sense for sarcasm.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Skybird

That's nothing to the news that a US coastguard cutter has rammed another oil well in the Mexican gulf, making it spilling oil 30 m up into the air.

Fate surely has a sense for sarcasm.

Actually that was in the news I posted a link two days ago.

The story I heard is what it was a Tug not a Cutter but either could be correct.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=172918

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Oberon

French I can understand, but what does Al'Qaeda have to gain by hitting Japanese shipping, they're not exactly up there on the Islamic hit list.
However, if one wants to stir things up in the area then nationality is not a concern.

They hit Japanese tankers back in the 1980's (Three, two damaged- one unk prob mine, one by an F-4, one MiG-23 attack missed). In fact the Iranians were very indiscriminate with their attacks.

[nikimcbee]

It's the ghost of the USS Harder!

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

They hit Japanese tankers back in the 1980's (Three, two damaged- one unk prob mine, one by an F-4, one MiG-23 attack missed). In fact the Iranians were very indiscriminate with their attacks.

Well, true...but Iranian attack aside (and let's face it, they don't have a lot to gain from such an attack...and if they had launched an attack I'd have expected it on an EU vessel following the recent legislation that was passed) the only other suspect is the same as the French merchant hit and that's Al'Qaeda, and Japan is not exactly high on their hit list...it's on it...sure, along with most modern nations, but not as high as, for example, France, the UK, US, etc.

Could well have been misident though...although the Red Circle on White isn't exactly easy to mistake for any other flag....

[Castout]

It must be the mysterious stranger!