Report finds Danish troops killed by British friendly fire

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Dec 19, 2007, 8:44 GMT

Danish soldiers stand in attention during hand over ceremony in Basra, Iraq, 24 April 2007. EPA/HAIDER AL-ASSADE

(M&C) - Two Danish soldiers serving with British forces who were killed in Afghanistan in September, died as a result of British "friendly fire" a report has revealed.

The report by the Danish government said Privates Mikkel Keil Sorensen and Thorbjorn Ole Reese were killed when missile strikes by British forces mistook the Danish soldier's position for that of the Taliban.

It said the incident "happened as a result of strikes by British soldiers which by a tragic mistake were directed towards the compound where the Danish soldiers were in position".

Speaking in response to the report the commander of British forces in Helmand, Brigadier Andrew Mackay, said "I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Privates Mikkel Keil Sorensen and Thorbjorn Ole Reese at this difficult time."

"From my own personal experience of having the Danish Battlegroup now under my command here in Helmand I know that this incident will not sway the resolve of the Danish soldiers who continue to work alongside their British counterparts in Afghanistan."

He added: "I know that they will continue to show the same bravery and dedication to their duties as they continue to play a vital role alongside us in the defeat of the Taliban within Helmand."

"I am, of course, concerned that we establish exactly what happened on 26 September," Brigadier Mackay said.

"As the Danish report makes clear, the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident will be thoroughly investigated by the British Army and until that process is complete we will not be in a position to make further comment."

The Ministry of Defence has said it will not comment until the results of its own investigation were finished.