Algerian Hostages

[RTHolmes]

Do not over estimate SAS or the other special forces. SAS is not an anti-terror unit, so such operation are not their specialty.

counter-terrorism (including hostage rescue) is exactly what they do. they are also fairly familiar with the north african desert ...

[Ack-Ack]

They've been fighting these terrorists for the last 20 years; successfully I might add. Since 2001 they've also been training with US forces.

The Algerian forces were only successful in pushing the terrorists out of the north and into the southern Sahara wastlands were it's virtually lawless and sparsely populated.

ack-ack

[Ack-Ack]

Do not over estimate SAS or the other special forces. SAS is not an anti-terror unit, so such operation are not their specialty.

According to the SAS's website, they are a counter-terrorist unit, with the Special Projects unit within the SAS being the primary counter-terrorist team.  The SAS lists counter-terrorism and special warfare operations as their primary specialties.

ack-ack

[B3YT]

Never underestimate the SAS . No one has even half an incline into where they go and what they do.  Even when you "retire" you stay on the books .  As I pointed out members can be "guns for hire" for certain operations .  Before the secound gulf war there were already SAS in Iraq doing intel work .  Most of the work they do is counter terror . There are a number of Spoiled bomb plots here in the UK due to the work of SAS  some dressed as police officers and the such .

[nrshida]

He also has a point though, don't over-estimate this kind of action either. There aren't many S.A.S. operations where something didn't go wrong, extending right back to the regiment's origins in WW2. It's just the nature of this risky kind of business. You generally want them to go in when every other option has been tried.

[Gman]

Do not over estimate SAS or the other special forces. SAS is not an anti-terror unit, so such operation are not their specialty.

SAS may not be a dedicated counter terrorist ONLY force, but they typically have at least one squadron actively training to do hostage rescue, and is tasked with this being their primary mission.

A person I did some work for a few years back, training some of his new PSD recruits  in CQB Pistol, Alan Bell, from www.globerisk.com, just so happens to be x-SAS.  He also just so happens to have been a part of what is likely the most famous hostage rescue event, arguably next to the Air France rescue - the Princess Gate Embassy rescue.  Alan was one of the first guys through the door on the video seen around the world.  I would say this qualifies as "counter terrorist" by any definition of the term.

as sad as it is for the hostages, I think they sent a message that if you come here we gonna kill you no matter what.  Terrorist usually depend on negotiation, they just found out that Algeria doesnt negotiate.

I remember back in the 80's when westerners were being kidnapped in the middle east.  The first time russians were kidnapped in the middle east, the KGB/special forces found out who was involved and kidnapped their relatives and sent their body pieces to the kidnappers.   The hostages were released and there were no more russian kidnappers.

Semp, my father, who is a police officer, just tonight said exactly what you just posted, and I agree with both of you.  Sure, their operation wasn't perfect, but I admire them for putting terrorists on notice that their nonsense won't be tolerated and will be met with force no matter the outcome.  Good for them I say.

[CAP1]

SAS may not be a dedicated counter terrorist ONLY force, but they typically have at least one squadron actively training to do hostage rescue, and is tasked with this being their primary mission.

A person I did some work for a few years back, training some of his new PSD recruits  in CQB Pistol, Alan Bell, from www.globerisk.com, just so happens to be x-SAS.  He also just so happens to have been a part of what is likely the most famous hostage rescue event, arguably next to the Air France rescue - the Princess Gate Embassy rescue.  Alan was one of the first guys through the door on the video seen around the world.  I would say this qualifies as "counter terrorist" by any definition of the term.

Semp, my father, who is a police officer, just tonight said exactly what you just posted, and I agree with both of you.  Sure, their operation wasn't perfect, but I admire them for putting terrorists on notice that their nonsense won't be tolerated and will be met with force no matter the outcome.  Good for them I say.

 bold part...now if only all countries would do this, it would be amazing how fast terrorism would subside.

[GScholz]

That is an unfortunate side effect of democracy. Leaders are slaves to public opinion.

[bozon]

SAS may not be a dedicated counter terrorist ONLY force, but they typically have at least one squadron actively training to do hostage rescue, and is tasked with this being their primary mission.

A person I did some work for a few years back, training some of his new PSD recruits  in CQB Pistol, Alan Bell, from www.globerisk.com, just so happens to be x-SAS.  He also just so happens to have been a part of what is likely the most famous hostage rescue event, arguably next to the Air France rescue - the Princess Gate Embassy rescue.  Alan was one of the first guys through the door on the video seen around the world.  I would say this qualifies as "counter terrorist" by any definition of the term.

"Counter terrorist" is a very broad term. Going out to shoot Bin Laden in the head and feed him to the fish is also a kind of counter terrorism, though there are no hostages involved (I know these were not SAS). While SAS may train at hostage situations, this is not what the unit was created for.

The Israeli equivalent to SAS is "the unit" (Hayehida), also known as Sayeret Matkal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayeret_Matkal). They are responsible for famous hostage rescues such as the Sabena hijacking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabena_Flight_571_hijacking) and the Entebbe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Entebbe) hostage rescue. While they are often tasked with hostage rescues even within Israel borders they military and government were criticized for assigning them to such operations (especially the less successful ones), as there are other units who are better trained and suited for such work. The main reason that they are still selected for such operations is more a matter of competition and prestige with other units. Quite a few of the military high command and politicians served in this unit and they tend to support their younger "buddies".