Marines held in murder inquiry

Jimbuna · 10-12-12, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Seven Royal Marines have been arrested on suspicion of murder, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The arrests by the Royal Military Police related to an incident in Afghanistan last year, when 3 Commando Brigade was based in Helmand.
The MoD said the incident followed an "engagement with an insurgent" and no civilians were involved.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19918398

Has anybody any idea what the actual incident was because my sources can't find any further details?

Herr-Berbunch · 10-12-12, 08:06 AM

Purely speculative, and personal experience, Rules of Engagement differ between theatre but usually along the same lines of 'you fire when there is an imminent threat to life' (not property!). You can shoot someone taking aim, but you cannot shoot someone planting an IED.

Either they defended an attack and then went after the guys retreating (not now an imminent threat), or they spotted people planting devices and decided it was a imminent threat to life - even though technically it may have been - but within the rules it wasn't.

My best guess, I could be wrong.

Jimbuna · 10-12-12, 08:12 AM

Could be pretty close considering they say it was an insurgent and not a civilian.

I hope they didn't capture one then carry out a summary execution.

Oberon · 10-12-12, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I hope they didn't capture one then carry out a summary execution.

Alas, Jim, that would be my best guess if I'm honest.

Herr-Berbunch · 10-12-12, 08:23 AM

Losing 23 buddies would make my emotions take over, I'm sure.

Oberon · 10-12-12, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

Losing 23 buddies would make my emotions take over, I'm sure.

Aye, I don't envy what those lads have seen, heard and felt one bit.

Oberon · 10-12-12, 08:13 AM

It's said that no civilians were involved in the event, so I'd wager that they overstepped the ROE. Could well be one of those situations where your emotions get the better of you. Either way though, ROEs are there for a reason, even if they don't make sense, and you can't really make exceptions.

10-12-12, 08:06 AM	#2
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Purely speculative, and personal experience, Rules of Engagement differ between theatre but usually along the same lines of 'you fire when there is an imminent threat to life' (not property!). You can shoot someone taking aim, but you cannot shoot someone planting an IED. Either they defended an attack and then went after the guys retreating (not now an imminent threat), or they spotted people planting devices and decided it was a imminent threat to life - even though technically it may have been - but within the rules it wasn't. My best guess, I could be wrong. __________________

10-12-12, 08:12 AM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,452 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Could be pretty close considering they say it was an insurgent and not a civilian. I hope they didn't capture one then carry out a summary execution. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-12-12, 08:23 AM	#5
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Losing 23 buddies would make my emotions take over, I'm sure. __________________

10-12-12, 08:13 AM	#7
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	It's said that no civilians were involved in the event, so I'd wager that they overstepped the ROE. Could well be one of those situations where your emotions get the better of you. Either way though, ROEs are there for a reason, even if they don't make sense, and you can't really make exceptions.