Iraqi regime reportedly plans attacks with WMD from the air

Kuwait News Agency ^ | KUNA

[#1CTYankee]

The Iraqi regime is equipping aircraft with weapons of mass destruction to attack coalition forces that have reached approaches of the embattle Iraqi capital of Baghdad, according to Iraqi opposition sources.

The well-informed sources said the regime prepared several warplanes, including MIGs, Mirages and Sukhois to attack the attacking forces when they reach a certain line close to the heart of Baghdad.

These warplanes are being equipped with chemical and biological weapons to attak the coalition forces in the event they reach some sensitive axes of the city, the sources told KUNA.

They said that Saddam Hussein would order such attack when he feels that his safety is threatened.

The coalition commanders have affirmed that the allied warplanes have supremacy of the skies over Baghdad.

[unixfox]

They said that Saddam Hussein would order such attack when he feels that his safety is threatened.

It's not a threat, so BRING IT ON !

[#1CTYankee]

"I thought we had all the airfields in Iraq."

They still have the Saddam airport, right?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

These jets fly too fast to disperse anything. And if they slow down, their goose is cooked.

[CholeraJoe]

We own the skies. We own the night. We're two payments away from owning Baghdad.

[AmericanInTokyo]

If they DID try it, they have had more than SIX months to prepare for such an attack, while our State Dept dawdled and diddled with the useless and obstructionist UN, delaying the war one week after another, and all our TV talking heads talked in the open, dissecting and divulging our planned attacks on Iraq this way and the other, so very little element of surprise was ever left on the part of the enemy.

We can thank France, Germany and particularly Turkey if something nasty goes down in the next 48 hours towards our troops and the poor civilians who don't have chem/bio protection.

[bert]

Hmmmmm...

And Hitler said " Defend Berlin with the brave Werrmacht divisions X, Y, Z. Deploy them at the outskirts and bring to bear the fire power of their artillery."

The Generals knew, the divisions were but pins on the map.

[VRWC_minion]

Drones.

[najida]

They'd have better luck with a trained flock of pigeons dropping cans of Draino.

[mattdono]

Well, I did put a question mark by it. I agree, but there were reports that Sodamn was able to "hide" equipment in Iraq.

I am sure that we would have a "read" on these as soon as they took off. I guess we would simply have to wait until they exited Syrian airspace to light 'em up.

[Jeff Head]

Saddam Hussein would order such attack when he feels that his safety is threatened.

Too late.

[Right Brother]

Iraqi WMD delivery system

[small voice in the wilderness]

NOT the pigeon wing of the iraq air forces. I've heard rumors the pigeons are prepared to drop their bombs on all vehicles and statues in the area. Please, someone, STOP THE MADNESS.

[VRWC_minion]

We must have a plan that will put us up upwind when the attack starts.

[try phecta tom]

to attak the coalition forces in the event they reach some sensitive axes

such as, "Let me axe you this, 'Where's Saddam?' "

[sarasota]

How about the helicopter theory in which helicopters rise from the deep down bunkers in the middle of Baghdad, spraying WMD as they go?

[Uncle Miltie]

1) Planes will be destroyed as they taxi from their bunker.
2) There is no longer a serious line around Baghdad.
3) We can rush into the city better than standing around being gassed.
4) Collateral damage among civilians would be horrific, while our guys will be relatively immune.
5) Saddam is either dead or out of the country, and no longer able to give such an order.
6) No pilot is that suicidal.
7) etc.
8) etc. etc.

The gig is up. Mop up operations to start shortly.

HOOAAAH! One serious a$$ whooping, administered by air power, the 3rd ID, MEF and 101st.

I love a sweet denoument.

[wjeanw]

Two comments: the temperatures are going to be in the 100's by Monday. I thought such weather conditions rendered bio/chem attacks ineffective. Could this just be a way to get Coalition forces to fight in their heavy suits, hopefully to slow down their assault? Secondly, by using such weapons inside Bagdad wouldn't the regime kill just as many of their own citizens and possibly cause more defections?

[demlosers]

This may be a credible threat.

Bahgdad has 3 airfields that the Iraqis could strike from. The flight time from those airfield are about 2 minutes before they are over our forces that are converging on Bahgdad.

[Adder]

Not sure how much credence to give this. First we were told the "red line" was outside the city, now its the heart? And if thats true, then planes for delivery are not necessary. Just load the shells in AA batteries or rig streets with them.

I am getting the uneasy feeling we are going to be eating heaping gobs of crow over these wmd's. The smart-azz accusations are already starting: "Where are they...I thought this was such a big danger...yadayadayada". No way to defend that. Explaining that we got Sadazz on the first night and only he can give the orders sounds like whistling in the dark.

There's going to be some tough questions in the coming days I fear.