You are reading a single comment by @NotThamesWater and its replies. Click here to read the full conversation.
  • Rules of War would suggest that everyone (both sides) plays by the same rule book. To expect people no matter how will trained to react in the right way in such extreme circumstances in my view is not realistic.

  • my view

    Is incorrect.

    The British Army's rules of engagement in Afghanistan are unilateral, and bounded by the restrictions imposed by international law (often more restricted that is required).

    To be a member of the serving forces is to be expected to follow those rules, in all circumstances.

    The rules are written with these circumstances in mind. It's not as if the government and army leadership didn't have shooting and war in mind when they wrote the rules of engagement for the conflict in Afghanistan.

  • I know nothing of the actual rules and I am sure you are correct in the context of the letter of the law / rules.

    All I can say is that it's a harsh sentence for the reasons I just mentioned above.

About