Why the SEALs Aborted Their Somalia Raid

[mota bhai 2,675]

The snatch-and-grab mission on Oct. 4 began as planned. SEAL Team Six, the same unit that targeted Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011, approached the Somali coast in the darkness. Their target, according to U.S. military officials: the leader of al Qaeda's East Africa branch, a Somali-born Kenyan named Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulkadir, also known as Ikrima. Elements of the unit got past the beach, military officials tell Foreign Policy. But at some point during the perilous mission, the SEAL team came under heavy fire. It soon became clear to the unit commander that the team could not capture Ikrima alive, and he determined that they should abruptly withdraw without their prize.

The risk to civilian life, as well as the threat to the team itself also drove what was described as a "conscious decision" to pull back out, a military official said.

"Once the gunfight breaks out, they realize they're not going to be able to capture this guy without the risk becoming too high," the official added, confirming news first reported by CNN. "They made a decision, 'hey, not today,' and out they came."

...

Roger Carstens, a retired special forces officer who has spent extensive time on the ground in Somalia within the last year, said it's not a surprise that the SEAL commander might declare "dry hole" -- the target the unit was attempting to snag was not obtainable. "War and killing," he said, "is a business-like proposition."

"Risk is assessed, efforts are produced, and progress is ruthlessly measured," he said. "If the costs exceed the benefits, a withdrawal is ordered; No harm, no foul."

Carstens said he believes regardless of whether the team got their target, the message was sent. "The U.S. of A is aware of who you are and what you are doing, and we are not afraid to come kill you face-to-face if it pleases us," he said.

http://killerapps.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/10/07/why_the_seals_aborted_their_somalia_raid

Edited October 7, 2013 by amriki bhai

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Let's just get this out: They aborted the mission cause their commander in chief sucks. If Romney had been President, they would have succeeded because Romney doesn't know how to fail. Well, except in the election, of course.

[duraaraa 203]

Obama obviously cancelled it to prevent the killing of a like-minded Kenyan Muslim.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Obama arranged for the SEALS to be humiliated before the Muslim world.

[RGinWA 816]

Oh...and if Putin was commander he would have personally accompanied the seals and stormed the beaches.

Proving Obama once again is not fit to lead this great shut down nation.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Have you guys noticed Obama is black?

[RGinWA 816]

Have you guys noticed Obama is black?

I though that was just a tan?

[Janelle2002 3,865]

They ran out of funding

They were only supposed to raid if they reached an agreement on the debt ceiling. The SEAL team was on standby when they were told to come home there was no money to fund their mission.

Have you guys noticed Obama is black?

No, he is light brown. More like a tanned white person. Why?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Great replies. It certainly hit the nail on the head regarding the mentality or lack thereof certain members here.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

No, he is light brown. More like a tanned white person. Why?

Now you're talking about Boehner. Well, maybe not. Boehner is actually more of an orange color.