Posted on 11/28/2001 1:45:41 PM PST by ex-Texan
Security officials warn of unconventional Iraqi attack
By Ellis Shuman
Senior Israeli security officials believe that if the United States would attack Iraq, threatening the stability of Saddam Hussein's regime, he would respond by launching a chemical or biological attack on Israel.
"If attacked, Iraq is liable to launch missiles and planes against Israel," said Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon in a lecture on Monday. Security officials believe that due to its shortage of long-range missiles and launchers, estimated at no more than five launchers and some 50 missiles, Iraq could send pilots on suicide missions towards Israel in planes armed with unconventional weapons.
During the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel, all armed with conventional explosives. Military analysts believe that Iraq now has very limited surface-to-surface missile capabilities. According to American intelligence reports, Iraq has recently resumed missile deployment exercises, hinting at its possible response if attacked.
The IDF General Staff this week discussed the various scenarios that could follow an American strike on Iraq. Security officials assume that the attack on Iraq could occur in two or three months, when military actions in Afghanistan are completed.
The brainstorming came following President George W. Bush's warning on Monday that Hussein must allow arms inspectors back into the country "to prove to the world he's not developing weapons of mass destruction.'' Iraq isn't afraid of American threats and is ready to defend itself against any attack, Iraq's Ambassador to the UN said the following day.
Israel did not respond to the Iraqi attacks during the Gulf War, bending to American pressure not to break up the American coalition lined up against Saddam. The situation is different now, said MK Moshe Arens (Likud), who served as defense minister during the 1991 war. Arens referred to Israel's Arrow anti-missile system, developed together with the United States.
"I think Israel can be pleased that the U.S. is turning its attention to a danger which faces not only Israel, but also the entire world," Arens told Israel Radio, referring to Saddam's attempts to acquire non-conventional weapons.
Syria has chemical missile capabilities "The Syrian army has type 'B' and 'C' Scud missiles, some of them equipped with chemical warheads," Yaalon said on Monday. "These missiles have a range of 500 kilometers, covering most of the area of the State of Israel," he added.
"The goal of Syria remains the return of the Golan Heights," Yaalon said. "The Syrians are hesitant of confronting the IDF directly," he said, attributing this to fears its army is inferior to the IDF. "They prefer to develop a deterrent force with the Scud missiles, Hizbullah-launched terror actions and encouragement of Palestinian terror."
Yaalon warned that an all-out war with Syria could result from the "explosive confrontation with the Hizbullah on Israel's northern border."
I'm glad you like it...this one @hole complained, so now i have to stop...via the "ADMIN MONITOR PERSON"... ;)
Absolutely no sense of honor or loyalty to country."
I have said for many many years - and we know see this in the Demoratic actions and words every single day.
The Democratic party would rather see our country destroyed (as it is) and individuals dead or destroyed financially if they can further their "power".
Sept 11th did NOT ONE THING TO CHANGE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERSHIP'S VOW TO BE SURE THAT AMERICANS SUFFER AS LONG AS THE REPUBLICANS GET BLAMED AND THEY CAN GET ELECTED IN 2002 AND 2004 - BY FRAUD OR FRIGHT!
As far as I am concerned the entire Democratic Party leadership qualify as traitors to America, betraying honest, hardworking, regular Americans every single second of every day. The Republicans, still cowed by Hillary - except for President Bush - are just plain oldfashioned cowards.
Far from the radioactive/chemical mess in the ME? They can torch each other far as I'm concerned, I don't know why anyone else wants to get involved.
Really?
Well then, it seems to me, the only proper response to an attack of WMD is a counter attack of WMD. Suppose?
It wont be JUST Baghdad.
My personal opinion is that, fortuitously, these people weren't quite there yet in developing these weapons. I think now is the opportune time to ensure that they never will, in our lifetimes at least.
Israel has made so many press releases like this___ LOL. Sort of like OBL has suitcase nukes.
They must get a real charge out of jerking us around.
Are you familiar with the El Al Crash in Holland in 1993?
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