US invades Syria - briefly. Was it legal?

[GePap]

Originally posted by PLATO1003
Probably illegal. So why isn't Syria complaining? It is probably because they know that they are guilty of aiding and abetting the world's newest "most dangerous" terrorist...Saddam Hussein (recently demoted from tyranical dictator). Syria would probably prefer to stay out of any spotlights with the 3rd and 4th ID right next door.

How would this be illegal? Saddam has not been charged with any crimes yet, so in theory Syria can just give him refuge in exile, like the Saudis did with Idi Amin. Oh, and Saddam is hardly "most dangerous terrorist".

The US would have no legal ground to demand extradition form Syria if Saddam were charged with international war crimes, specially given no such treaty with the US.

[Velociryx]

While that's true on paper, GePap, I don't see the Syrian government playing hardball with the US with 90k troops in the neighborhood, and more close at hand.

Syria is staying quiet because it's politically prudent to stay quiet, even if they have nothing whatsoever to hide.

-=Vel=-

[The Templar]

My first impression is that its illegal. But its not as though Syria can enforce its rights against the US.

Of course, this just goes to show Bush and Co. don't really respect the sort of "national soveriegnty" that they always appeal to when they reject the ICC or some other treaty.

[Japher]

What is legal in war?

Didn't we have some problems with this type of thing in Vietnam, accidently wandering into Laos or Cambodia? Someone help? overload

[DinoDoc]

I think Cruddy has the best answer so far.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by GePap


How would this be illegal? Saddam has not been charged with any crimes yet, so in theory Syria can just give him refuge in exile, like the Saudis did with Idi Amin. Oh, and Saddam is hardly "most dangerous terrorist".

The US would have no legal ground to demand extradition form Syria if Saddam were charged with international war crimes, specially given no such treaty with the US.

I think the incursion into Syria was probably illegal. And Syria is guilty of aiding and abetting Saddam (although it is unclear weather this is illegal or not). And, how can you say Saddam isn't a terrorist now (assuming that he is behind the attacks going on in Iraq now...Haven't you said yourself that "freedom fighter"= "terrorist" depending on which side you are on?)?

And, who said anything about extradition (which is a legal term anyway).

Vel has it right. Syria will be smart to stay quiet regardless.

[BeBMan]

They briefly invaded?

That is illegal!!! Why didn´t they stay there?

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by BeBro
That is illegal!!! Why didn´t they stay there?

See what happens when you don't come with us. If we had Germans with us, we would have stayed.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Technically, it's an incursion, not an invasion.

IIRC, it's legal if you're in the process of pursuing combatants with whom you are actively engaged, assuming you do the least necessary, consistent with the safety of your own troops.

Going into a neutral country after something like an enemy base camp is illegal, because there's neither the urgency of immediate combat and pursuit, nor is there the safety issue.

Basically, enemy bullets don't stop at the border and turn back, so you don't have to either. If the enemy disengages, then there's a question of if/how far you can pursue, but not if the enemy is itself first entering the neutral country in a moving fight.

A few border guards doesn't mean an outpost right there, it might mean an outpost or camp a few kilometers away, and these guys wondered what the hell the deal was with all the firing, so they went to check it out, and got more than they bargained for.

BTW, Andrew, if you're being shot at, or pursuing guys who can stop anytime and shoot at you, looking at GPS and a map is probably not at the top of your priority list.

[TCO]

I can neither confirnm, nor deny that excursions were made in other wars and that I was briefed on it.

[TCO]

I meant incusrions. Sorry I'm a little soused and I didn't read MTG's post. But it's interesting that independantly we used the trusion word. Well suffix. Or root or whatever is the part of a word outsie otg the rpefix.

[Poogas]

I don't think a few troops chasing some Syrians/iraqi's supposedly found of sheep justifies the word "Invasion" if anything an Intrusion, as some have arleady pointed out, Syria and Iraq don't really have the most defined borders.

But on the other hand, if the US had a intrusion including sheep smugglers, and chasing them down with a few hundred tanks, jeeps, and armed personel till the "High Speed" pursuit conlcuded at the Syrian capital (what ever the hell that is) that I suppose would justify a Invasion.

[Sava]

I wish I were a Joint-Chiefs member. I would go on CNN and say this, "We did what we had to do. Syria can suck my balls if they don't like it."

Why can't we have leaders like that?

[Poogas]

Originally posted by Sava
I wish I were a Joint-Chiefs member. I would go on CNN and say this, "We did what we had to do. Syria can suck my balls if they don't like it."

Why can't we have leaders like that?

That sir, is my dream. lol.... I agree we need a leader who speaks his mind!!!

[Thorn]

The United States can do anything it wants to, any nation that wishes to oppose it will be obliterated. End Transmission.