UK special forces chief trying to prevent book publication

[Carsten Wiethoff]

From http://intelligencenews.wordpress.com/20...15/03-147/:

UK special forces chief trying to prevent book publication

February 15, 2010


By JOSEPH FITSANAKIS | intelNews.org |
The director of Britain’s Special Forces is actively trying to stop the publication of a new book that sheds unprecedented light on the elite combat group’s operations in Iraq. The official, whose name cannot be revealed for security reasons, has said that the book, authored by BBC journalist Mark Urban, will negatively impact the operational effectiveness of the Special Air Service (SAS) and other UK Special Forces units. The official’s objections have come to overshadow a compromise struck earlier this month between Mr. Urban’s publishers and the UK Ministry of Defence. Following four months of negotiations, the Ministry reportedly decided that the book “would not compromise the operational effectiveness of the SAS”. According to The London Times, the proposed book is based on interviews with current and former members of the SAS, and describes “in tactical detail” operations carried out by the elite paramilitary force in Iraq from the 2003 invasion until last year. The book also sheds light on Task Force Black, a mysterious multinational partnership of special forces units, active mostly in Iraq, which the SAS joined in 2005.

[Carsten Wiethoff]

Mark Urban also has an interesting blog here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/markurban/


The book he is trying to publish is on preorder at amazon here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Task-Force-Black...1408702649

Let's see, if the publication date will be met. Best wishes from my side.:itsme:

[Keith Millea]

The book also sheds light on Task Force Black, a mysterious multinational partnership of special forces units, active mostly in Iraq, which the SAS joined in 2005.

Hi Carsten,welcome back to the forum.This multinational "Task Force Black" is interesting.Just thinking about this unit gives me the creeps.Me thinks Mister Urban best watch his back,sides,front,friends,and family.

:flute:

[Carsten Wiethoff]

Thanks Keith!

More about Task Force Black was already revealed in 2008:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopi...-Iraq.html

After talking about killing more than 3500 people they say this:

Senior sources denied that the SAS was taking part in “extra-judicial killings” and added that any incident which appeared to be in breach of the British Army’s rules of engagement would be investigated internally by the unit and by the Royal Military Police if any wrongdoing was suspected.
The source said: “There is no shoot-to-kill policy in Iraq, but there are only a few ways of stopping a suicide bomber. A British lawyer is present during the planning stages of every operation and our troops operate under British rules, not American rules.”

Sure thing.

[Jan Klimkowski]

Carsten - good find.

"Task Force Black" has strong echoes of the extra-judicial assassination aspect of the Phoenix Program. I note that the Telegraph article, which I've posted in full below, contains enthusiastic comments from Gen Petraeus, who doubtless was key to the military doctrine that Task Force Black embodies.

SAS kills hundreds of terrorists in 'secret war' against al-Qaeda in Iraq

Hundreds of terrorists have been killed by the SAS waging a "secret war" against al-Qaeda in Iraq, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose.

By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent
Published: 8:57PM BST 30 Aug 2008

More than 3,500 insurgents have been "taken off the streets of Baghdad" by the elite British force in a series of audacious "Black Ops" over the past two years.

It is understood that while the majority of the terrorists were captured, several hundred, who were mainly members of the organisation known as "al-Qa'eda in Iraq" have been killed by the SAS.

The SAS is part of a highly secretive unit called "Task Force Black" which also includes Delta Force, the US equivalent of the SAS.

The prime targets have been those intent on joining the wave of suicide car bombers that claimed around 3,000 lives a month in Baghdad at the height of the terrorist campaign in 2006.

Using intelligence gleaned from spies and informers, Task Force Black has nearly broken the back of the terrorist network and reduced bombings in Baghdad from about 150 a month to just two.

But the success of the covert mission came at a price – six members of the SAS were killed and more than 30 were injured. Delta Force has suffered in the region of 20 per cent casualties.

A senior British officer told The Sunday Telegraph: "We took over 3,500 terrorists off the streets of Baghdad in around 18 months.

"You could say it was a very successful period. But the butcher's bill was high. The attrition rate is equivalent to that experienced by the SAS during the Malayan insurgency 50 years ago.

“The relationship between the SAS and Delta Force is very close,” he added. “If anything, the attrition rate in Delta Force is higher. Two years ago the SAS made a donation to Delta Force’s 'widows and orphans’ fund of £10,000.”

Senior sources denied that the SAS was taking part in “extra-judicial killings” and added that any incident which appeared to be in breach of the British Army’s rules of engagement would be investigated internally by the unit and by the Royal Military Police if any wrongdoing was suspected.

The source said: “There is no shoot-to-kill policy in Iraq, but there are only a few ways of stopping a suicide bomber. A British lawyer is present during the planning stages of every operation and our troops operate under British rules, not American rules.”

The SAS began to concentrate almost exclusively on reducing the car bomb threat in Iraq at the same time that the US military launched its so-called “surge”, which saw an additional 30,000 American troops move into the most dangerous areas of Baghdad, in early 2007.

Gen David Petraeus, the head of the US forces in Iraq, who is due to leave his post shortly, has praised the courage of the SAS.

He said: “They have helped immensely in Baghdad … they have done a phenomenal job.”

In one incident, SAS troops rented a pink pick-up truck, removed their body armour to blend in with locals, and drove through the traffic to catch a key target.

“It was brilliant, actually,” Gen Petraeus said. “They have exceptional initiative, exceptional skill, exceptional courage and, I think, exceptional savvy. I can’t say enough about how impressive they are in thinking on their feet.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopi...-Iraq.html