Iraq Massing 4 Divisions on Jordanian Frontier Border

World Net Daily.com and DEBKAfile Security and Terrorism Newsletter ^ | April 24, 2002 | Gioria Shamis and Diane Shalem (Former 'The Economist' Magazine Reporter-30 year yeteran)

[codebreaker]

DEKAfile's military sources provide details of the Iraqi troop movements.

The force Iraq started massing some weeks ago contains 3-4 of its 7 crack Republican Guard Divisions, which are stationed in the center of the country opposite the Jordanian frontier. They are fanned out across a 300 sq.km stretch of land, bounded by four bases:H-3 Main, H-3 Southwest, and H-3 Northwest-350 km. west of Baghdad-and the big al Baghdadi ground and air base west of town of Rutbah.

The Iraqi high command reckons the first American strike, carried out under the cover of bombing and missile barrage, will try and capture this area and take over the four bases-much in the way a main US base was set up in Kandahar, Afhganistan. From there the US forces will threaten the capital Baghdad.

The Iraqi response will be to divide their strength into two contingents. One leg by Saddam Hussein's son Qusay, will fall back towards Baghdad; the other will push into Jordan and sieze its eastern region, ready for an eventual move into the capital Amman. The Israeli troop concentration the Saudis are referring to-whose presence Israeli spokesmen deny-is poised to defend Jordan against this very Iraqi assault.

By his pincer movement, Saddam hopes to crush the American force, trapping it in a isolated pocket, vulnerable to a blitz of missiles carrying chemical and biological agents. Simultaneously, Iraqi missile barrages will be aimed at Israel and US military targets in the Jewish state, as well as American military facilities in the Gulf, Kuwait and Qatar.Iraq is also set to counter alternative US tatics. This week, Baghdad deployed heavy reinforcements of anti-air missile batteries in the southern and northern no-fly zones patrolled by US and British allied planes. This move was a preventative measure against a possible US attempt to sieze Iraq's northern and southern oilfields. The batteries are aimed not only against bombers but also large scale helicopter squadrons flying US and British Marines in from Kuwait, Oman or Turkey.

[Cleburne]

In other DEBKA news, China is preparing three large regiments of SpaceDragon Troopers to assualt the moon and prove that the EvilUSImperialists did not land there....breaking hard....

[Arkinsaw]

The Iraqi response will be to divide their strength into two contingents.

Dividing your force in the face of a superior enemy. That really hasn't been done successfully since Chancellorsville. Somehow I don't think Saddam and Qusay have the luggage to pull off a Stonewall/Marse Robert move.

[InvisibleChurch]

a "sharing-a-hardy-guffaw-with-you" bump

[codebreaker]

Can't wait for the June magazines to come out! I will try and make up for this aggregious violaton of FR policy..

[arthurus]

Do you really think that the Jordanians, even if they were being invaded, would allow IDF units to enter the country and defend it?

Do you think the Jordanians have any way to avoid it? Jordan will side with whomever will protect Jordan effectively. Jordan is the primary unviable state in the region and survives purely by diplomacy and judicious alliance along with a very good if very small but highly motivated army.

[dc-zoo]

Sure wouldn't mind plowing some of that Kourn.

[vin-one]

didn't he try that before, to get Israel involved, Only this time the israelites
are going to punch them hard. Do any of these muslim countries have balls to take on Israel, U.S., England,
talk about an ass whoping, They might talk the talk but will the Saudis walk the walk.

[vin-one]

you are the man, way to make someone forget what the topic was.

[Dallas]

ping

[AppyPappy]

One leg by Saddam Hussein's son Qusay

I thought his name was Pusay.

[ElectricStrawberry]

crack Republican Guard Divisions

Does this mean they're on crack? They have to be in orfer to think they can defeat the might of the US.

Bring it on!!!

[gridlock]

In the words of that great American, Al Bundy:

Bring it on!

[AdA$tra]

Man, that girl can play some tennis. Can't she?

[blam]

"On Fox News last night someone was claiming that we have 100,000 troops in Kuwait right now! I have no idea if any of this is true, but I intend to keep my eyes on FR as closely as possible."

What I heard was that when we do attack Iraq that it will be with 50-100,000 troops. (unlike last time)

[blam]

"Apparently, it's too difficult to track the mobile scuds via satelite so the USA must use ground troops to track them down."

I wouldn't bet on it. I'll bet the 'little problem' of the mobile SCUDS has gotten a lot of attention in the last ten years.

[tallhappy]

Don't you anti-Debka nutcases ever get tired of showing yourselves to be fools?

From yesterday, Saudi Arabia Masses Troops On Western Border

That's from Jerusalem Post -- this isn't even Debka's story.

[DreamWeaver]

DEBKA ?? Ha ! There should be a barf alert on any Debka info posts, seriously !

[Dixie republican]

Yes. The Jordanian Kingdom wouldn't have a say. No. Israel does not really have a weak flank. Anyway, neither Egypt nor Syria wants to mess with Israel - both would lose a lot of men - especially in defense of Saddam.

[The KG9 Kid]

Is this to supplement the 200,000 Iraqis that DEBKA reported Saddam sent there two months ago?

*WHAP! WHAP! WHAP!*

[helmsman]

Re: the Anna pics

In the words of the grateful DirecTV customer, I LOVE YOU!!!

Da!...dadadaaa!...dadadaaa!...