Hussein may mass his military in major cities

SF Chronicle ^ | 8-8-02 | Greg Miller, John Hendren LA Times

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Washington -- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has told regional government officials that he aims to thwart any U.S. invasion by avoiding open desert fighting and massing his military in major cities where civilian and American casualties would be highest, current and former U.S. intelligence officials said.

[goldstategop]

Saddam reprises the Salah Shehadeh "human shields" strategy. Film at 11.

[demlosers]

"I don't think Hussein would survive long," said one former CIA official with extensive experience in the region. "But that's the problem: We don't know what the breaking point is for his supporters. Does a solid month of B-52 strikes do it, or do we need people on the ground?"

Are they willing to die for Saddam? You need good human intel.

[Hunble]

And the down side is?

[goldstategop]

America gets condemned for the wanton slaughter of Iraqi civilians. Saddam hopes to abort a war even before it begins.

[mikesmad]

This is great. We march in, take over the oil fields, pump oil like crazy, and wait for the civilian population to rise up and overthrough Saddam and his cronies or starve to death.

All we have to do is contain them in their cities. Anyone that sticks their head out without a white flag with Saddams head on the end of it, loses theirs.

[Long Cut]

Just one very cool, awesome word:

STRATOFORTRESS!!!!!

[Stentor]

"..he's no general."

[demlosers]

massing his military in major cities where civilian and American casualties would be highest

Using cities as shields what a pussy. He's gonna hide behind all the women and children.

[lepton]

Makes it easy to set up airbases INSIDE Iraq, which would greatly lessen the logistical tails, and ease some of the diplomacy with his neighbors supplying us bases.

[Bill Rice]

""...what a pussy. He's gonna hide behind all the women and children."

He's an ARAB - can we expect anything less?

[demlosers]

America gets condemned for the wanton slaughter of Iraqi civilians. Saddam hopes to abort a war even before it begins.

The US will have a decision to make: Do make the cities a battleground like Saddam wants or play the waiting game and cut off all access to the cities including power ect...

We'll probably choose the waiting game.

[MrB]

I think you have the right idea.
No need to go into the cities. Just hang out outside, don't allow anyone/anything out or in, including food, and take over the oil fields as the price for continuing to support Hussein.

Eventually, someone will walk out with Saddam's head on a pike. At that point, they can have their country back.

[lepton]

Military analysts consider it likely that U.S. soldiers would face chemical or biological weapons if they fought an urban battle in Baghdad because Hussein would have little to lose.

Except his own soldiers, and their families.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Yeah... let 'em have the cities... won't help them in the least... we just wait them out. I mean, where would they get food once they run out? Where would they get fuel once they run out? Where will they get water once they run out? Yeah.... let 'em have Baghdad and the other cities... they'll fall eventually... Saddam's troops and equipment won't do them any good when they are dropping like flies from starvation and dehydration...

Then we'll see how much fighting spirit they have left... :0)

[Hunble]

America will get condemned even if we farted in the general direction.

If an army hides behind the skirts of women and children, do not be surprized if they get killed in the process.

This is their choice, and the blood will be on their hands, not ours.

Civilized people try to protect women and children, and fight battles in locations to prevent innocent deaths.

When cowards hide behind them, they are 100% responsible for their murder. And yes, murder is the correct term.

[1Old Pro]

Does a solid month of B-52 strikes do it, or do we need people on the ground?"

Well, a solid month is a good start, Let's Roll!

[Nexus]

Can we PLEASE start the air war NOW!!! What the hell are we waiting for...

[1Old Pro]

No need to go into the cities. Just hang out outside, don't allow anyone/anything out or in, including food, and take over the oil fields as the price for continuing to support Hussein. Eventually, someone will walk out with Saddam's head on a pike.

Good point. Let the people walk out when they get hungry. We can wait.

[mikesmad]

Then we'll see how much fighting spirit they have left

They don't have any fighting spirit now. Just like in the Gulf War at least half would surrender immediately upon invasion. The only die hards are the ones that depend totally on Saddam for their lives and livelihood. Some of those could be convinced that Saddam is not necessary for that.