Posted on 03/21/2003 3:20:29 PM PST by steveegg
Edited on 03/21/2003 3:50:02 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
B A G H D A D, Iraq, March 21 — Three top Iraqi leaders — including Saddam Hussein's cousin, the infamous "Chemical Ali" — are believed to have been killed in what would be a major blow to the regime's defense against the U.S.-led onslaught, CIA officials told ABCNEWS.
ABCNEWS' Brian Ross reported that the three critical Iraqi officials — Taha Yasin Ramadan, Izatt Ibrahaim al Douri, and Ali Hassan Majid, known as Chemical Ali — are believed to have died in Wednesday night's "decapitation attack," the opening salvo of the war. CIA officials said they reached this conclusion based on radio traffic analysis.
"Chemical Ali" earned his chilling nickname by using chemical weapons to suppress a Kurdish rebellion in Northern Iraq in 1987 and 1988. Hundreds of villages were razed, and more than 100,000 Kurds died.
Meanwhile, over Baghdad, sirens sounded another warning over Baghdad following U.S.-led bombings that pummeled the city, and bombs and missiles continued to rain over targets across the country.
"This is much, much, more than anything we've had earlier," ABCNEWS' Richard Engel reported from Baghdad as attack aircraft were heard over the city for the first time in this war. "It's hard to even see the western side of the city through all the smoke."
Air War Has Begun
While the series of devastating bombings appear to have paused over Baghdad, there were reports of new explosions heard near the northern Iraqi cities of Mosul and Kirkuk and in the village of Sergat.
Defense officials said the air campaign would continue for 24 hours (until approximately 1 a.m. ET) as a "continually rolling operation" involving 1,500 total sorties by missiles and strike aircraft.
Meanwhile, in another major development, U.S. military sources said that the commander of Iraq's 51st division and his top deputy surrendered to U.S. marine forces today. This was the division charged with defending Basra, a key strategic city south of Baghdad. It was the first time that the commander of an Iraqi division has surrendered to allied forces.
Now he's "Carbon Ali".
Okay, but son "Queasy" is the more cunning and dangerous of the two.
B A G H D A D, Iraq, March 21 — Three top Iraqi leaders — including Saddam Hussein's cousin, the infamous "Chemical Ali" — are believed to have been killed in what would be a major blow to the regime's defense against the U.S.-led onslaught, CIA officials told ABCNEWS.It may be corrected above by the time I post this; already let Admin Mod know that the story changed somewhat.ABCNEWS' Brian Ross reported that the three critical Iraqi officials — Taha Yasin Ramadan, Izatt Ibrahaim al Douri, and Ali Hassan Majid, known as Chemical Ali — are believed to have died in Wednesday night's "decapitation attack," the opening salvo of the war. CIA officials said they reached this conclusion based on radio traffic analysis.
I have this from another thread that was pulled for security reasons: "99% certainty that Saddam is dead. Both his sons confirmed dead. All killed as result of raid on March 20. Iraq's top general offers surrender to US."
This supposedly came from a Freeper's son who was in the briefing with a 2 star General. Keep your ears open. It appears to be over.
Thanks for realigning it to the source.
No wonder their military has been in such disarray!!
I believe Sadaam and his sons were also killed, taped TV spots notwithstanding! If he were alive, he'd have been on LIVE TV already exhorting his troops and the citizens of Baghdad to fight the infidel and would have mentioned the attempt on his life!!
BUSH TOOK HIM UP ON IT!!! :-) LOL!!
ROFL!
Bush had choice of weapons, and chose F 117s carrying JDAMs. Unfortunately for Saddam, he didn't have any of those.
Touche!
I don't know to make the accented e
I don't know to make the accented e
Don't go French on us <VBG>
Looks like the last word goes to Hamad...
"A curse upon the smoking remnants of your moustache."
They could have been really nasty and finished off the survivors after the dust settled with Hell Fires.
But I guess they figured that was enough.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.