Iraqi insurgents using Austrian rifles from Iran

Yesterday the Chief noted that Iran has been engaged in a series of actions that constitute de facto acts of warfare against the United States. This is another instance of their belligerence:

Austrian sniper rifles that were exported to Iran have been discovered in the hands of Iraqi terrorists, The Daily Telegraph has learned. More than 100 of the.50 calibre weapons, capable of penetrating body armour, have been discovered by American troops during raids.

Within 45 days of the first HS50 Steyr Mannlicher rifles arriving in Iran, an American officer in an armoured vehicle was shot dead by an Iraqi insurgent using the weapon. Over the last six months American forces have found small caches of the £10,000 rifles but in the last 24 hours a raid in Baghdad brought the total to more than 100, US defence sources reported.

Wow! A £10,000 piece! That’s upwards of $15,000 – would be nice to have one of those!