SAS see first Iraqi deserters

Australia News ^ | march27, 2003 | Australia News

[FairOpinion]

AUSTRALIA'S SAS soldiers have come across the first signs that Iraqi troops are deserting the battlefields, while abysmal weather conditions in Iraq could actually aid their operations.

Defence spokesman Mike Hannan today said SAS forces working behind enemy lines had encountered unarmed Iraqi soldiers on their way home from the war.

He said the SAS soldiers had allowed the Iraqi soldiers to return to their homes.

"Our special forces continue to press on with their surveillance and reconnaissance missions deep in Iraq.

"Recently the SAS have encountered Iraqi soldiers who have been unarmed, and who have been returning to their homes.

"After questioning they have been allowed to continue with their journey.

"This has been the first indication of this type, and we consider it to be a good sign."

Brigadier Hannan said all Australians involved in the war were well and unharmed.

And he said the bad weather could help the covert activities of the SAS.

Monsoonal rains and severe sandstorms in Iraq were expected to continue for the next 24 hours, he said.

Meanwhile, Brigadier Hannan said navy divers continued to work with British and American divers to help clear mines in the sea port of Umm Qasr.

[FairOpinion]

Why haven't I heard this in the US media?

As always, there are a lot more things going on behind the scenes,than we are aware of.

[bolobaby]

You have to wonder how many Iraqi soldiers used the sandstorms as cover to leave their posts...

[Mr. Lucky]

You know, the American media's coverage of this war has been so, utterly, awful that one almost wonders whether the adults in charge haven't manipulated the whole thing as a way of communicating misinformation to the Iraqi's.

[xkaydet65]

One of the hired talking generals on cable said that in Feb there were 15 Iraqi divisions between Basra and Baghdad. He felt most of the conscripts had gone home.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Thanks to the Aussies!

[prairiebreeze]

Now THAT'S an interesting idea.

Prairie

[philetus]

Why haven't I heard this in the US media?

The war will be over for six months and the media will still be saying were losing.

[old3030]

I think you are correct. Same thing happened in Desert Storm, and Dubya is a better poker player than his daddy. Once again, the leftists and their media puppets have grossly underestimated our leader.

[Busywhiskers]

"The war will be over for six months and the media will still be saying were losing."

You are absolutely right. I expect I will be listening to the some report about how the "Elite" Republican Guard has repulsed the 3rd ID and about that time I will see a column of Humvees and M-1 tanks come around the corner on the Bagdad cam.

[fubaglady]

I certainly hope so, Mr. Lucky!! I would hate to think we are really telegraphing our every move to the enemy. Thanks to the Aussies for your help. You are stand up guys. God speed to your soldiers, the Brits' and ours. And God damn Sodamn Inssein.

[John H K]

One of the hired talking generals on cable said that in Feb there were 15 Iraqi divisions between Basra and Baghdad. He felt most of the conscripts had gone home.

Yep. Frankly, I haven't seen any credible evidence ANY of the actual Iraqi Army has fought yet at all.

But for some reason some of the less-bright FReepers have let the Saddam Fidayeen convince them that ALL Iraqis are resisting, and since there aren't a lot of actual prisoners none have surrendered.

If the actual Iraqi regular Army WAS fighting, we'd have at least 200-500 killed by now, and we wouldn't be north of Nasiriyah.

[RightWhale]

the American media's coverage of this war has been so, utterly, awful

That is the total, utter truth. It;s more than Fog of War. Goes way beyond that.

[Rev. Lou Chenary]

<"one almost wonders whether the adults in charge haven't manipulated the whole thing as a way of communicating misinformation to the Iraqi's.">

Has been my thought exactly...It's almost obvious.

[Lady In Blue]

Praise God's Holy Name.

[The Louiswu]

[AmericanVictory]

It seems strikingly parallel to the way the Army of Northern Virginia began to melt away as Lee tried to reach Lynchburg in its last days.

[capitan_refugio]

"twords" = toward ????

Good concept, work on execution.