Camps for 'Saddam's Cubs' Offer Gun and Political Training for Boys Preparing to Defend Iraq

AP ^ | August 11, 2002 | Waiel Faleh

[TomGuy]

Camps for 'Saddam's Cubs' Offer Gun and Political Training for Boys Preparing to Defend Iraq

By Waiel Faleh Associated Press Writer

Published: Aug 11, 2002

BAGHDAD, Iraq, (AP) - Thousands of boys in Iraq have swapped soccer practice and tennis lessons for light-weapons training and religion lessons as they prepare to defend Iraq, they say, from "our enemies."

Firing pistols and AK-47s while studying Islam and history, 1,800 boys aged between 13 and 16 are getting three weeks of training at "Saddam's Cubs Training Camp" in a southern Baghdad suburb, one of about 30 such camps scattered across the country.

"We are sharp swords in the hand of President Saddam Hussein to be used to fight our enemies," 14-year-old Mustafa Amir told The Associated Press on Sunday.

"I am looking forward to finishing the course as soon as possible to be able to defend the country when it is attacked," Amir said, clad in khaki-colored fatigues, as he cleaned his AK-47.

Amir and his fellow trainees rise early each morning for days filled with physical exercises, light-weapons training and religious and political classes.

The training comes amid speculation that the United States is weighing options to wage war on Iraq. Washington accuses Saddam of producing and stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.

The Iraqi government established "Saddam's Cubs" camps throughout the sanctions-strapped country in 1996, five years after the country was driven out of neighboring Kuwait by a U.S.-led coalition in the Gulf War.

The United Nations imposed sanctions on Iraq following the war. The sanctions can only be lifted once weapons inspectors verify that Iraq's non-conventional weapons program has been dismantled.

Another young trainee, 15-year-old Sinan Abid Salman, said he had been worried about going to the camp, but soon got used to its regime.

"I was scared in the beginning but when I was acquainted with the people and the weapons the days started to pass fast," Sinan said. "It is a pleasure to be trained to say that I am able to defend my family and country."

Amir, meanwhile, said he liked the camp from day one, and had joined to learn "to be able to fight like a man."

"Most summers I go to clubs to play sports like tennis and soccer, but I am having as much fun in the camp as I do at the clubs," he said.

AP-ES-08-11-02 1638EDT

[TADSLOS]

The suicide bomber merit badge is tough to earn and live to wear it. Most cubbies are content learning how to make surrender flags and raise their arms alot.

[Lizard_King]

Interesting. I think Hitler waited until the war progressed a bit before sending children to their death, but I am glad to see Saddam never fails to disappoint.

I guess he saw the great success Iran had with its baby warriors (ie, none) and in the grand despotic tradition decided to reinforce failure.

[john in missouri]

"We are sharp swords in the hand of President Saddam Hussein to be used to fight our enemies," 14-year-old Mustafa Amir told The Associated Press on Sunday.

We are daisy-cutter fodder in the hand of our Great Dictator, to be used and thrown away in a desperate attempt on his part to try and save his sorry @##," 14-year-old Mustafa Amir proudly admitted to The Socialist-Aiding Press on Sunday.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Way to go, Saddam. I see your Hitler Youth and raise you nuclear bunker-busters.

[tet68]

Iraqi Mine detectors.

Poor kids.

[Travis McGee]

It's pretty pathetic psyops (which is all it is, propaganda) compared to our "Invasion Plan of the Week" mind bending strategy.

[mhking]

1,800 boys aged between 13 and 16 are getting three weeks of training at "Saddam's Cubs Training Camp"

You sure this isn't from "The Onion"?

[chance33_98]

[Lady Jag]

If you put this thread with Diogenesis' photo threads and his pictures of iraqi soldiers either being fat old men or frightened women, it would seem that they still don't have any men of real fighting age. That and a relatively small population, Iraq will be a piece of cake.

[Orangedog]

These are truely the acts of a desperate man. And this is why we need to be ready for the measures that will be employed by someone so desperate. I don't think it will be to big of a stretch to expect him to use whatever chemical AND biological weapons he has at his disposal as soon as he is attacked. What does he have to lose? He knows that next time around with US backed forces, he will not be allowed to remain among the living.

By the way, this is off-topic, but I have a bad feeling that this west nile stuff that's spreading across the country has Iraqi finger prints all over it. Maybe I just need to add another layer of foil to the inside of my hat, but this just seems like something mickey-mouse enough for Saddam to be involved with.

[dighton]

Here are their "den mothers."

[ward_of_the_state]

Hello mullah...hello Mustafa....here I am at....Camp Saddam-a....Camp is very very draining....I'm exhausted after terrorist training.

C'mon now, I've got the first verse - help me out here!