State-sponsored Terrorism

British soldiers being arrested by Iraqi police have been freed in a ram-raid by British forces.
Here is a link to Yahoo News

So.. let me get this straight:

Iraqi Police, the representatives of the law in the now freedom-enjoying sovereign state of Iraq approached 2 suspects who then open fire on the police.

The suspects opened fire on police (and based on some other reports, civilians) who, once detained, admitted to being British soldiers, despite their civilian, arab dress.

The suspects refused to offer information about their mission and were detailed in an Iraqi jail.

Whilst, one presumes, 'enquiries' were being made, up to 6 tanks basically ram-raided the jail freeing the suspects. During this raid, riots occurred between the local civilian population and the British force. Apparently dozens of Iraqi prisoners escaped during the raid and susequent confusion.

Let us remove the fact that 'British soldiers' were involved:

• We have a couple of possible terrorist suspects who have initiated violence against police. Depending on sources, they may have been caught in the act of actually firing into a civilian population.
• These terrorist suspects were clearly not being open about who they were.
• These terrorist suspects refused to offer information about their mission, and which organisation initiated it, which may have been mitigating.
• They have been detained, from what i can gather, legally.
• Armed militant supporters have actually attacked the prison, destroying property and freeing the detainees.
• Armed militant supporters have rioted with local civilians, creating a massive disturbance.
• Armed militant supporters have (inadvertantly) freed dozens of potentially dangerous criminals.

In any state, under just about any laws excluding those of the jungle, this is nothing but a terrorist act. It is nothing but a militant act against the state.

The only difference between Hamas, the IRA, Basque militants, Tamil Tigers or any other organisation which does commit terrorist acts against the rule of law is this is state-sponsored by the British Govt and British army.

So... are we any better?

BC