UK forces 'destroy Saddam statues'

BBC ^ | March 29th, 2003

[Sabertooth]

UK forces 'destroy Saddam statues'

Iraq has many statues of Saddam Hussein

British forces say they have staged a raid into the southern city of Basra to destroy a large statue of Saddam Hussein.

The headquarters of paramilitaries loyal to Saddam Hussein and a communications mast were also said to be targets in the mission, the deepest coalition incursion into the city so far.

The apparent aim of this mission was to strike a psychological blow at supporters of Saddam Hussein in the city.

As many as six Iraqi tanks and more heavy artillery were hit, but there were no known casualties on either side, commanders said.

The tank squadrons and armed infantry of the 7th Armoured Brigade met with what was described as live resistance by Iraqi forces inside the city.

One report described tanks from the Scots Dragoon Guards heading into a hail of rocket-propelled grenades, leaving behind two-inch (5cm) dents.

Three soldiers were said to have been injured in a last-minute mortar attack as they left Basra.

'It crumpled'

The tank commander who destroyed the 20-foot (six-metre) statue said it was hit in the first round of fire.

"It was a black, cast-iron statue of Saddam Hussein in a great coat with his right arm raised in the air.

"It just sort of crumpled, there was a big flash and sparks everywhere and it disappeared, it was gone. I wish it was the real thing."

British Army spokesman Colonel Chris Vernon, who said members of the Black Watch - armoured personnel carriers - had also entered Basra, said in all two statues were destroyed.

"The purpose of that is psychological," he told a news conference in Kuwait.

He said the ability of British troops to enter the city at will and destroy "representative tokens" of Saddam Hussein's regime would have sent "quite a shock" to Baathist and irregular organisations.

"Targeting and eradication of the Baath party is now the critical effect we need to achieve and the British military's main effort."

[Kay Soze]

We are on the way Saddam Sarandon.

[P.O.E.]

Just part of the totalitarian nightmare - having Big Brother's image all over the place. I'm glad they're tearing them down.

Nice new pic, btw.

[dighton]

Reuters / Desmond Boylan

[easonc52]

I also agree, although I hope it's not premature.

In a situation where there is an obvious language barrier, it sends a strong message that Saddam is going down.

[Starboard]

Good thing the Brits are doing this. If the US destroyed the statues, the leftwing media would be accusing us of cultural desecration.

[not-an-ostrich]

It's important and symbolic we start destroying them. There are plenty of statues and pictures of Saddam left for the Iraqi's to enjoy destroying.

[ostephani]

We must have victory, and I accept their actions in this case as part of an overall stategy to achieve that victory.

The British dealt the bad guys a psychological blow as well as bringing them out into the open and exposing them to gunfire etc. I think they are doing a fabulous job.

[Publius6961]

Why can't the US do the same to Saddam's arch? (lower right

Glad someone else wonders the same thing.

This arch (often called the world's ugliest monument) is a personal creation of the megalomaniac, and its destruction would be a great psychological move.

[graycamel]

It's too bad the right wing wackos of this country and England don't see the beauty in cultures other than their own. They want to destroy a unique arab culture and replace it with a sanitized white bread money grubbing so-called culture


sarcasm

[Enemy Of The State]

Dont misunderstand me. The Britts are doing a fantastic job and Im as proud of them as I am our own troops. With the world full of backstabbers for allies, Im glad the Britts are on our side. Like GW said, the cards have been played and now we know where everyone stands!

The US and the Britts have stood shoulder to shoulder since we won our independence. There is a link on my profile "The Canton War". Check it out, you'll see that its not the first time the other countries have taken the cowardly way out while the Britts and the Americans stood together.

[E.Allen]

Aren't you overlooking a little disagreement around 1812?
I seem to remember something about the White House being torched.

[Enemy Of The State]

well, you have a point there. So we have had a few arguments in our long relationship..hehe.

[ppaul]

Saddam's fate.....

Two headless statues of Lenin, lying in a salvage yard in Vilnius, Lithuania.