Iraq's elite troops pledge to fight to death

Reuters | 3/01/03

[kattracks]

BAGHDAD, March 1 (Reuters) - Iraq's elite troops told Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Saturday they would fight to the death to defend Iraq and its leader in the case of a U.S.-led invasion.

The Republican Guards, Saddam's best-equipped special forces, made their allegiance during a meeting with Saddam, who has been dedicating his time to discussing strategy with officers ahead of a likely war.

"They confirmed to the president that they have completed their preparations and conducted exercises, taking into consideration all the possibilities," the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) quoted Iraq's special guards units as saying.

"They pledged to the president that they will be the swords that will fight the aggressors and that they are ready to sacrifice to the level of martyrdom to defend their leader, their country and their sanctities," INA added.

The Republican Guards, led by Saddam's son Qusay, are the main fighting force behind Saddam's rule.

The United States and Britain have massed thousands of troops in the Gulf for a possible invasion to oust Saddam who they accuse of having weapons of mass destruction.

The Iraqi military currently has about 375,000 troops, including six regular Republican Guard divisions. Both the regular and Special Republican Guard units are the best equipped and trained.

U.S. officials said this week that troops and equipment from Iraqi Republican Guard divisions have begun moving south towards Baghdad from their base in northern Iraq, apparently to beef up defences of Saddam's hometown of Tikrit and Baghdad.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Glad to help them.

[TheConservator]

I am sure our boys will be more than happy to oblige them!

[hattend]

When did we hear all this before? 1990-91, perhaps?

[exit82]

They will soon get the opportunity.

[Consort]

Iraq doesn't have elite troops.

[Polybius]

Iraq's elite troops told Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Saturday they would fight to the death to defend Iraq and its leader in the case of a U.S.-led invasion.

If I were in their position, I would tell Saddam that too and anything else that he wanted to hear.

[Rocko]

They'll talk big with Saddam's gun to their head. When he goes, they'll crumble.

[ChadGore]

"They wanna see Allah? Our job is to arrange the meeting." -- USMC

[Jemian]

Didn't we hear this before, twelve years ago. They couldn't surrender fast enough.

[RobFromGa]

I say we send 10,000 Domino's delivery men in with Fresh Hot Pizzas, I'll bet they'd settle for that (instead of the death thing). Just an idea, Mr. Rumsfeld.

And President Bush: Maybe throw in a warm shower, some clean underwear, and a toothbrush and you get most of them to join our side in rebuilding the country of Iraq.

After we pound the crap out of them from the air in the first three-four days, Give 'em 48 hours to defect to safe zones we establish in Iraq.

[ThirstyMan]

You're refering to the "Mother of all Battles" perhaps?

he-he, he-he-he, haw-haw, haw-haw-haw, HA-HA-HA, HO-HO-HO!!!!! You guys are willing to fight to death???? You're killing me!!! OK let's do it! HAA-HAA-HAA!!!

[RobFromGa]

Maybe throw in a warm shower, some clean underwear, and a toothbrush

Sorry, I just found out that the French object to this on the grounds that it would be CRUEL & UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. against the French Conventions.

[philetus]

"I know I pledged to fight to the death" replied Assram, one of Saddam's elite troops, but my hay fever was acting up and my eyes were watering and I didn't see the great satan's soldier until he knocked the Flonase out of my hand.

[summer]

"They confirmed to the president....

"They pledged to the president ....

Well, what else could they possibly say in a face to face meeting with Saddam? "No, siree, Saddam, I am NOT going to help you; I am defecting to America's side as soon as the ir troops get here!" I am sure such a statement would immediately result in a "missing person"....

[Kay Soze]

I am 46 and recall the same exact statement being made in 91.

But as soon as it started they had Elite Republican guards surrendering to News Crews armed with nothing more than a 3 CCD Sony Video Cam!!!!!!

Arabs don’t fight that’s why they use terrorism with such frequency. Sans the brainwashed they are cowards.

[kattracks]

My first thought exactly.

[MinuteGal]

These lemmings won't have an opportunity to "fight to the death". Death will find THEM even before they have a chance to fight.

These bravado words are indicative of demoralization. Iraqi troops with half their brains tied behind Saddam's butt certainly know and fear the Grim Reaper awaits them during our lightning attacks on their positions.

ZOT !!!!!

Leni

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[TADSLOS]

"They pledged to the president that they will be the swords that will fight the aggressors and that they are ready to sacrifice to the level of martyrdom to defend their leader, their country and their sanctities,"