ABC News - Three Key Leaders Believed Killed in Baghdad

ABC News ^

[steveegg]

B A G H D A D, Iraq, March 21 — Three top Iraqi leaders — including Saddam Hussein's cousin, the infamous "Chemical Ali" — are believed to have been killed in what would be a major blow to the regime's defense against the U.S.-led onslaught, CIA officials told ABCNEWS.

ABCNEWS' Brian Ross reported that the three critical Iraqi officials — Taha Yasin Ramadan, Izatt Ibrahaim al Douri, and Ali Hassan Majid, known as Chemical Ali — are believed to have died in Wednesday night's "decapitation attack," the opening salvo of the war. CIA officials said they reached this conclusion based on radio traffic analysis.

"Chemical Ali" earned his chilling nickname by using chemical weapons to suppress a Kurdish rebellion in Northern Iraq in 1987 and 1988. Hundreds of villages were razed, and more than 100,000 Kurds died.

Meanwhile, over Baghdad, sirens sounded another warning over Baghdad following U.S.-led bombings that pummeled the city, and bombs and missiles continued to rain over targets across the country.

"This is much, much, more than anything we've had earlier," ABCNEWS' Richard Engel reported from Baghdad as attack aircraft were heard over the city for the first time in this war. "It's hard to even see the western side of the city through all the smoke."

Air War Has Begun

While the series of devastating bombings appear to have paused over Baghdad, there were reports of new explosions heard near the northern Iraqi cities of Mosul and Kirkuk and in the village of Sergat.

Defense officials said the air campaign would continue for 24 hours (until approximately 1 a.m. ET) as a "continually rolling operation" involving 1,500 total sorties by missiles and strike aircraft.

Meanwhile, in another major development, U.S. military sources said that the commander of Iraq's 51st division and his top deputy surrendered to U.S. marine forces today. This was the division charged with defending Basra, a key strategic city south of Baghdad. It was the first time that the commander of an Iraqi division has surrendered to allied forces.

[Rockiesrider]

WOW! Izatt Ibrahaim al Douri was the second in command behind Saddam. Can you imagine the sheer luck / skill of getting the entire upper echelon of the Iraqi military in one feld swoop? No wonder they aren't responding as we thought. That mole deserves to get anything he or she wants after this is over.

[L`enn]

Just like when I saw each bomb detonate today, I said over and over to myself, this is for 9/11. Not just for Sadaam, but the whole world of piss-ants watching it.

[Rockiesrider]

Uday, uday, uday say gonna beat dem bengals!

[Anomaly in Illinois]

You too?

[oceanview]

Batchelor and Alexander are focusing on this story tonight on their show. There take on this is this:

- this story was sourced from the CIA, not the defense dept. since this strike on the bunker was a CIA operation, they would be in the best position to know what happened.

- the three men killed were all in the second tier of the command structure, just below Saddam and his sons. what are the odds that these 3 would be conducting a leadership meeting alone, without Saddam and his sons?

- why is the CIA saying anything about this? B&A are saying that the CIA could never source a story that Saddam and his sons are dead, such a story just would not be able to come from them. so instead, the CIA pops up and tell us that these 3 guys are dead, 3 guys that nobody even knew were in the bunker.

So, they are putting these points together, plus the apparent lack of command and control, and you can guess what that their conclusion is. The point they are making is that BOTH the tier 1 and tier 2 command structure appears to be silent. Take it for what its worth.

[gdc61]

i don't know but maybe we can sell their stuff on Ebay

[George W. Bush]

This supposedly came from a Freeper's son who was in the briefing with a 2 star General.

I don't believe it for a second. Sounds like a story that's been enlarged in the re-telling.

Beyond that, if it were the case, then Rumsfeld would have reported something. He denies having enough information to reach any conclusion.

It's very unlikely that any one particular Iraqi general has enough command and control remaining to actually speak for the entire army.

[thermodynamics]

Remember...ABC thinks this is a unilateral illegal war..just listen to communist, 9th grade educated, Canook Peter... I DO NOT, WHAT SO EVER trust ABC!!!

[patriciaruth]

Peter's been vile. We stopped by long enough to hear him speak about the "violence" in Baghdad, ....not the bombing, but the "violence."

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I don't believe it for a second. Sounds like a story that's been enlarged in the re-telling.

For now, I do believe it. Perhaps I'm gullible but this source I trust.
The sources of the info apparently were under the impression the news would be on the street immediately and began sharing some of it. I have no doubt of any of it, but the timing of the release is being suppressed for whatever reasons. We shall see.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Peter's been vile.

I've heard that a lot of network big wigs are incensed at Jennings. I'll be interested to see what comes of it if anything.

[valleygal]

"The three I admire the least today, Saddam the Father, Qusay, Uday President Bush had made them pay The day...the music.....DIED.

"Hey, we do all think alike here. I rewrote and posted the refrain to "American Pie" here on one of those "french" threads Wednesday morning.

So bye, bye, Jacques Chirac, you're despised,

Drove the council to a standstill, now you're left high and dry.

Our good old boys know the reason you tried.

Singing, this'll be the day Saddam dies, this'll be the day Saddam dies...

Little did I know his bunker would get hit that night.

I had another ending that wasn't as mean...Singing , order me some more freedom fries, order me some more freedom fries....

[It's me]

Oh ye of little faith... ;o)

[Allan]

Thanks for the report.

I was unable to get Batchelor and Alexander on the internet tonight.

Any other news you can report from the program will be greatly welcome.

[kstewskis]

Chemical Ali is just inert chemicals now.

"yard sale" Ali

[demlosers]

Isn't he the one who said "I curse your moustache, you monkey"

I think its the other way, the "monkey" Kuwaiti cursed Izzat's mustache...and the curse came true. Nothing but a smoldering mustache now hehe....

[George W. Bush]

For now, I do believe it. Perhaps I'm gullible but this source I trust.

Well, yeah, but a lot of stories go around FR. I was solemnly assured recently that the French air force was deployed on various bases for us to take action in Iraq. I don't think that's going to happen either. I'll believe these 'FR secret exclusives' when I see some confirmation.

[Yaron]

"Have we heard anything on Uday's other brothers : Aday,Eday,Iday,Oday and sometimes Yday ? "

Who about his lesser known son who lives in Australia, G'day?

[happygrl]

Yes, he (Izzat Ibrahim) was a high ranking officer and Vice-President of Iraq. He was one of the original comrades who aided Saddam in the coup in 1978.

He's the one with a red mustache and hair; looks Celtic or something (?)

[happygrl]

And THEY'LL be singin'

Bye, bye American's-made-me-cry...

Took the tunnel to the bunker but the end was nigh

Them good 'ole boys droppin' missles so high

Singin' this will be the day that I die.