IRAQI MISSILES 'MIS-FIRED' (defence commander sacked)

SKY ^ | Mar 30, 2003 | Staff

[Diddley]

New intelligence suggests a series of Iraqi missiles have mis-fired and hit residential areas of Baghdad, Downing Street says.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said information had been received which indicated Iraq's air defence commander has been sacked due to the poor performance of missile systems in Baghdad.

He said: "A large number of surface-to-air missiles have been malfunctioning and many have failed to hit their targets and have fallen back onto Baghdad before exploding.

"Civil defence workers have been instructed to remove Iraqi missile fragments which fell on residential areas before journalists arrive on the scene." The spokesman stopped short of saying Iraq was responsible for the explosions that killed around 65 civilians in two Baghdad markets this week But he said the intelligence gave fresh reason for "scepticism" over Saddam's claims that the Coalition was to blame for the blasts.

"There is still no evidence that Coalition missiles were responsible for what happened on Wednesday (the first marketplace bombing) and we're still investigating what happened last night (the second marketplace bombing)," the spokesman said.

He added that the utmost care was taken by Coalition forces to target only military installations and Saddam's command and control facilities, in order to keep civilian casualties to a minimum. There was no question of either market being a target, he said. Earlier this week senior US commander Brigadier General Vince Brooks said he was "certain" that missiles fired from American warplanes at the time of the first market blast had hit their intended targets.

Tony Blair was given an intelligence briefing on Saturday morning on the sacking of Saddam's cousin Musahim Saab al-Tikriti as commander of Iraq's air defence force.

He was replaced by General Shahin Yasin Muhammad al-Tikriti, said Mr Blair's spokesman, who refused to divulge how the information had emerged.

[Diddley]

Indicates that missile(s) on Baghdad were Iraqi.

[Diddley]

Indicates that missile(s) on Baghdad were Iraqi.

Should be: Indicates that missile(s) on Baghdad civilians were Iraqi

[Conservababe]

I suppose being replaced in Saddam's circle, means dead as a doornail, now.

[Diddley]

I suppose being replaced in Saddam's circle, means dead as a doornail, now.

Works for me.

[Jewels1091]

I was just thinking, bet he doesn't collect unemployment!

[Jen]

I suppose being replaced in Saddam's circle, means dead as a doornail, now.

One less that our special forces will have to track down and shoot. Thanks Saddam.

[RichInOC]

No, they didn't misfire. They worked as designed. The question on the table is whether or not the batteries fired them deliberately and under orders.

[maestro]

I suppose being replaced in Saddam's circle, means dead as a doornail, now.

Correct!

................Re-Placed!................,".....to the floor!"

[AntiGuv]

I suppose being replaced in Saddam's circle, means dead as a doornail, now.

Probably not in this case. The guy is Saddam's cousin, and it would hardly improve regard of him amongst the other cousins (who run most operations of importance) if he offs one of them. He'll probably just be put out to pasture; maybe as one of those chair-fillers that hang out during Saddam's photo-op briefings. Of course, this will all be moot in fairly short order..

[yankeedame]

The Prime Minister's spokesman said information had been received which indicated Iraq's air defence commander has been sacked due to the poor performance of missile systems in Baghdad

Fired, eh? Oh, yeah, I can just see it:

"I don't care if you are the boss's cousin! You've screwed up for the last time,al-Tikriti. You're fired! Yeah, you, ya bum! Now you got fifteen minutes to get your junk and get outta here! Mustaffa, bring him a cardbox and help him clean out his desk."

(Times passes)

Mrs al-Tikriti, humming while finishing up some last minute busy-work: "Honey? Is that you? You're home early. Is everything alright?"

Al-Tikriti, dragging in complete with hang dog expression:, "No...I got fired...."

[org.whodat]

No, they didn't misfire. They worked as designed. The question on the table is whether or not the batteries fired them deliberately and under orders

I think you are correct, I don't beleive for one minute that he was sacked for the stated cause, probably more the process of finding who told where saddammn was on the first night.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[Conservababe]

You have got to be kidding. Saddam killed two sons-in-laws who displeased him.

[Lx]

You don't supposed he gets a gold watch do you? Maybe a lead urn to hold his naughty bits while they flail the rest of him and then move on to his family. Saddam's nothing if not predictable.
That or they send him to the Russian front!

[AntiGuv]

Yeah, but from their perspective, the two sons-in-laws were traitors who had defected from Iraq before getting lured back. Also, Saddam wasn't in his current relatively vulnerable state, where offing a high subordinate could create the very real possibility of a coup.

[Conservababe]

You are kidding me, right? Saddam wondering if the world would care if he offed someone?

Sorry, but I a laughing so hard.

[LaGrone]

Probably got a silver bullet instead of a pink slip.

[Doctor Stochastic]

"Sacked" is probably to be taken literally here.

[AntiGuv]

No, not the world, but his other cousins who run other parts of his current war effort. Think whatever you want; that's my opinion, though.

[ErnBatavia]

Saddam's cousin Musahim Saab al-Tikriti

"Scud Stud"?....Not!