Posted on 04/16/2003 6:40:33 AM PDT by dead
As the Iraqi commander in charge of defending Mosul told how he put down his arms reluctantlyafter most of his men had disbanded in the face of certain defeat an Iraq soldier described how "officers were ruthless, they cut off the ears of soldiers and treated us like dogs" - all for $1.65 a month .
In an interview yesterday, the commander, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he and the 200 troops under his command were not part of the surrender negotiated between the Iraqi 5th Corps in the town and US troops prior to their entry into Mosul on Friday.
The bulk of troops in the town disbanded peacefully on Thursday following a a deal negotiated by Mosul's influential Arab tribal chiefs with US-backed Iraqi opposition and Kurdish forces, assuring the safety of Saddam Hussein's troops.
"No-one ordered me to put down my arms. I was alone facing massive forces and my soldiers were already gone. It was impossible to oppose US, Kurdish and Iraqi (opposition) forces," said the high ranking commander.
"I was not going to fight a lost battle and I knew the Americans would protect us" under the informal accord negotiated by Arab tribal leaders, he said.
He added that he had done nothing to force his men to fight or hold their positions. They eventually disbanded, taking refuge with local families and in schools in the Arab-majority town, traditionally loyal to Saddam.
"They were very affected by the air bombings. But we officers did everything the government wanted, Saddam Hussein is our president," added the 52-year-old, who has given 33 years of his life to army service.
He refused to discuss Saddam's notorious punishment squads, which reportedly forced soldiers to defend the dying regime.
Though he is "sad" the regime collapsed, the commander admitted he was disillusioned with the military strategy adopted by the Iraqi leadership.
"High-ranking Iraqi officers were shocked by Saddam Hussein's bad evaluation of the state of his army, which was a weak force unable to resist a superpower. He should have given up. We knew the army could not put up a defence, but Saddam Hussein took decisions without listening to anyone," he said.
"We stayed until the end because it was our duty," he added, expressing satisfaction US troops did not kill the Iraqi forces that stepped down.
Part of the deal negotiated by the tribal chiefs included appointing prominent Iraqi opposition leader Mashaan al-Juburi as the new governor of the town. Juburi along with Iraqi opposition and Kurdish forces took control of Mosul on Thursday, the governor told AFP.
Juburi said Monday he had told Iraqi troops to go home and guaranteed their safety ahead of the entry of US forces.
Ahmed Salem, a soldier stationed at the Gayar airbase 25 kilometres north of Mosul, abandoned his position on April 7, two days before Baghdad fell to coalition forces.
"Our morale was totally smashed. For us, being a soldier was like being a prisoner. Officers were ruthless, they cut off the ears of soldiers and treated us like dogs. The regime paid us $US1 ($A1.65) a month," he said.
During the war, "the Americans did not aim at soldiers but bases. Once the air sirens went off, we would get away from the base. Once two American helicopters overflew us but did not shoot."
Salem said that of 3,500 troops initially stationed at his base, the bulk deserted leaving only 22. "Every day, small groups would desert. In the end, only the officers stayed. For them, it is harder to desert."
Kurdish forces over the weekend began withdrawing from Mosul and the other key oil city of Kirkuk, and being replaced by US forces, allaying Turkish fears that Kurdish control of the two cities would boost the prospects for Kurdish independence.
AFP
$1.65 a month ain't bad, but only a buck American per month is a bit low.
I just sent this letter to abc news from my wife and I
To Whom it May Concern:
I must tell you that I and my wife, will continue to watch the ABC local news on Channel Eight and Wheel of Fortune on ABC at seven, but, we will no longer be watching the ABC Nightly News.
Peter Jennings hatred for the President and the nation has so clouded his speech and actions that he refuses to air anything positive about the President or the victory of the Troops in Iraq.
signed with address
PLUS the fringe benefit of NOT having your family shot.
By a little bit. I can not BELIEVE how little our military is paid, for all they do! I was absolutely shocked when I recently saw their absurd pay listed. I think across the board tripling of pay would be about the least we could do for our brave men and women. What would that cost, compared to the amount we spend on weapons? Would it really burden our economy that much?
Inmates in New York's state prisons make more than that.
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