Iraqi troops flee front line

The Scotsman ^ | March 18, 2003 | TIM RIPLEY

[MadIvan]

UP TO 15 per cent of Iraqi conscripts holding Saddam Hussein’s northern front line have already deserted, according to US special forces in the region.

Elite US troops based in the Kurdish enclave in northern Iraq are regularly probing Iraqi lines, to draw up target lists for airstrikes.

They are looking for pockets of ‘hard core’ pro-Saddam troops who can be attacked first to break the back of resistance.

It is hoped the attacks will turn the trickle of desertions into a torrent, allowing Kurdish resistance fighters to drive southward to seize the Kirkuk and Mosul oil fields.

Liaison teams have been building up links with Kurdish Peshmerga fighters from the KDP and PUK resistance groups. As in Afghanistan, these teams have been operating largely in plain clothes to avoid attracting the attention of western journalists based in the Kurdish safe haven.

Up to five thousand US, British and Australian special forces troops are now deployed around Iraq’s borders and are already playing a key role in General Tommy Franks’ war plan to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s regime.

But their main role will come in the first few hours of the attack. Oil facilities at the top of the Arabian Gulf are to be the target of lightning US and British special forces raids to thwart the Iraqis opening their taps and releasing millions of barrels of oil in a campaign of ‘environmental terrorism’.

"The best way to stop a spill is to control it at source" said a US military source, who said he was worried that the Iraqis would repeat the opening of the taps of Kuwait’s Mina Al Ahmadi oil terminal, which let five million barrels of oil pour into the Gulf until USAF bombers destroyed the outlet manifolds.

A force of Special Boat Service troops is based in the northern Arabian Gulf and has been training with their US navy counterparts - the SEALs - for several weeks, according to US military sources. Raids by other special forces teams are to be launched against the oil terminal at Khawr Az Zubayr in case the Iraqis are tempted to start pumping oil into the Khawr Abd Allah waterway that also flows into the Gulf.

[MadIvan]

I wonder what Saddam thinks he's doing. He's obviously bad, and just as obviously mad.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Inspectorette]

Wow - and that was before President Bush's speech tonight!

[oceanview]

this is why we need to give it more then 48 hours before we start. begin with some attacks to make it look like "this is it", especially night attacks. we need to thin out these ranks significantly and foster revolt.

[dighton]

"Self-inflicted gunshot wound through the head, or ripped asunder by an Iraqi mob? Let me think . . . ."

[Spruce]

"He is neither a strategist nor is he schooled in the operational arts, nor is he a tactician, nor is he a general. Other than that he's a great military man."

-Gen H. Norman Schwarzkopf

[chuknospam]

I suspect the Spooks have probably already begun to slip into these key positions to seize & protect them. GWB may have give SH 48 hours but I'm willing to be the offensive began tonite.

[philetus]

"Up to five thousand US, British and Australian special forces troops are now deployed around Iraq’s borders and are already playing a key role in General Tommy Franks’ war plan to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s regime."

These are guys you would not want mad at you.

[ewing]

Seems to be what DEBKA is saying as well...

[TADSLOS]

I'm guessing he's not even aware of the mass desertions. His henchmen are too concerned with their own heads to bring him the bad news. I'm sure he's completely convinced his army is holding the line intact.

[Servant of the Nine]

this is why we need to give it more then 48 hours before we start. begin with some attacks to make it look like "this is it", especially night attacks. we need to thin out these ranks significantly and foster revolt.

Nothing is gonna thin those ranks and foster desertions like half a dozen B-2s maxed out with cluster bombs.
Especially if a few hard core units meet the MOAB in plain sight of the others. Last time daisy cutters caused whole batallions to desert.

So9 So9

[Cultural Jihad]

"Is Riyadh burning?"

[InvisibleChurch]

the ret. general on o'reilly this evening was upset that france wasn't involved in this because the french special troops were some of the best he has known

[TADSLOS]

"Is Riyadh burning?"

LOL! Exactly.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

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

[Chad Fairbanks]

the ret. general on o'reilly this evening was upset that france wasn't involved in this because the french special troops were some of the best he has known

And they are... the only thing is, most of the 'French' Special Troops are not French... they don't call it The FOREIGN Legion for nothing ;0)

[CurlyBill]

Hey MadIvan, It seems you get no rest. You are a tireless FReeper who posts many interesting and insightful articles. I wanted to take this time to thank you for all your posts!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I'm guessing he's not even aware of the mass desertions. His henchmen are too concerned with their own heads to bring him the bad news. I'm sure he's completely convinced his army is holding the line intact.

I would guess that you are right. Would you want to be the guy who brought him the news?

Saddam is totally off his rocker. Just read some of the weird stuff he has written.

[SauronOfMordor]

I suspect the Spooks have probably already begun to slip into these key positions to seize & protect them. GWB may have give SH 48 hours but I'm willing to be the offensive began tonite.

I would expect that the Iraqi officers tasked with protecting/destroying the oil fields know that their futures depend on not annoying the US. I would not be surprised if they were quietly talking to SF right now