Soldiers forced to become suicide bombers (Deserter:"everybody will rise up against Saddam")

smh.com.au ^ | March 30 2003, 3:15 AM

[11th_VA]

Iraqi soldiers are being forced by militias loyal to President Saddam Hussein to ride motorbikes packed with explosives into coalition forces and blow themselves up, a group of Iraqi deserters said today.

Five deserters, who turned themselves in but refused to be named for fear of reprisals against their families, said they had been a given a choice by members of the feared Fedayeen militia unit in the city of Basra of carrying out suicide attacks or being shot, they told reporters.

However, there have been no reports of any such attempt in Basra.

"They are forcing us to ride motorbikes carrying explosives. We have to ride them into American or British positions," one 19-year-old said speaking through an interpreter.

"If we don't we were told we would be shot."

Four US soldiers were killed today near the city of Najaf when a suicide bomber set off his charge at a roadblock. It was the first successful suicide attack of the 10-day-old US drive to topple Saddam.

State television said the bomber was an Iraqi army officer seeking to teach the Americans a "lesson."

The bombing in Najaf, which also came amid calls by Muslim clerics for a holy war against the invaders, signalled a new threat against US-led forces already struggling with guerrilla tactics and attacks by soldiers disguised as civilians.

Another of the deserters said that ruling Baath party loyalists had set up checkpoints within Basra which has been besieged by British forces.

A special rear guard execution squad had been set up to kill any fleeing regular soldiers, he added.

The five said they had escaped from Basra last weekend and made their way south to this port town which is now in coalition hands and were turning themselves in as they were afraid of being handed in by Saddam loyalists.

Another 19-year-old said that he had seen his brother shot in front of him.

"If they (the coalition) attack and finish Baghdad, everybody will rise up against Saddam. It will be finished for him," he added.

The group spoke to journalists at the gates of a coalition compound where they were waiting to be taken into the custody of British soldiers.

[cyncooper]

If they are being told they have a choice between getting shot or committing suicide while killing the forces who are trying to liberate their families, why are they choosing the latter?

I don't see that they are choosing the latter. These guys escaped, and one said his brother was shot in front of him. Can we surmise why the brother was shot?

[Slehn]

"Ah, chill out...They're saying they will not tolerate staying under the yoke of another oppressor if we lift it from their shoulders."

You're exactly wrong. They did not say they will not tolerate blah, blah, blah. They said what they said and that is precisely this: "If they (the coalition) attack and finish Baghdad, everybody will rise up against Saddam. It will be finished for him"

My point is that if we "finish" Baghdad, there shall be no Saddam to rise against. That is why it is stupid.

[cyncooper]

I know what was said exactly, what you meant and I stand by what my interpretation. Whatever, cast them as stupid if you wish.