"Ambush at Kardalan Fields, 18th January 2007"

by David Rowlands

Image Size 58 x 38 cm


The Shatt Al Arab waterway was frequently used as a smuggling route for arms and ammunition, some of which were used against British troops serving in Basra. As well as looking for weapons and ammunition, the river patrols served as a deterrent to smugglers who use this part of the waterway.

On 18th January 2007, a patrol by two Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC) and two Rigid Raiding Craft of the Royal Marines was nearing the floating, burnt-out hulk of Saddam Hussein's yacht. Suddenly, the patrol was targeted by large explosions on each side of the river, followed by a hail of small arms fire. The ORCs returned fire using their General Purpose Machine Guns, while the smaller craft turned around and sped back upriver