Iraqi arsenal of banned weapons discovered

SMH ^ | March 24 2003, | n/a

[concerned about politics]

Iraqi arsenal of banned weapons discovered

British troops outside Basra have discovered cruise missiles and warheads hidden inside fortified bunkers as part of a massive arsenal abandoned by Saddam Hussein's disintegrating southern army.

Cases of rockets, giant anti-shipping mines and other ammunition are piled from floor to ceiling in dozens of bunkers at what is marked on maps as the Az Zubaya Heliport.

The most disturbing find was two Russian-made Al-Harith anti-shipping cruise missiles, each 6m long and 1m in diameter, and nine warheads, hidden in two enormous reinforced concrete bunkers.

Another missile, as yet unidentified, was found still crated up at the rear of one of the bunkers.

Some of the boxes are clearly marked with the names of British manufacturers.

The scale and possible implications of the weapons find took British forces by surprise and raised fresh questions about the extent of the Iraqi war machine and the ability of weapons inspectors to cope with the task of scouring such a vast country for prohibited ordinance.

The discovery of the missiles - date-marked 2002 - came as British troops from the Black Watch Regiment fought to secure the area around Iraqi's second city, Basra, in preparation for the capture of the city.

The vast complex, surrounded by chainlink fence and barbed wire, stands to the southwest of the town, defended by a network of earth works and with tanks and other armoured vehicles dug in to the surrounding area.

But the defenders have fled after coming under attack from coalition forces.

Outside the perimeter fence are about 40 bunkers packed with a mixture of RPGs and other ammunition. Inside, 22 larger fortified bunkers contain larger weaponry including the Al-Harith missiles.

The missiles, with Al-Harith 2002 stencilled in red paint on the side, and covered with cyrillic writing, were housed in 20-m-long concrete bunkers, 8m high, buried under earth and protected by sliding steel double doors 30cm thick.

Painted grey, the missiles have two wings, each about 60cm in span and three tail fins of a similar size. There was no indication of the nature of the warheads fitted and experts have been called in to examine the find.

Also housed inside the reinforced bunkers were what appeared to be large anti-shipping mines, 1m in diameter, and a host of other munitions.

On one box, written in English, were the words: "Contract AS Navy. 5/1980 Iran."

Corporal Steven Airzee said: "The initial sight was a shock. We were trying to figure out what they were. You have to wonder whether the weapons inspectors have been there because they looked pretty big."

The entrance to the heliport is decorated with a picture of Saddam Hussein in military uniform.

The area is surrounded by wrecked vehicles and abandoned sandbagged fox holes, some flying white flags, and is overlooked by a network of watch towers.

There are fears that weapons may have been taken from some of the bunkers which lie open outside the perimeter fence.

Lieutenant Angus Watson said they found the haul when they arrived last night.

"The complex is massive and we were surprised to find a lot of the kit intact, easily enough for a whole brigade," he said.

They also discovered hundreds of leaflets lying on the floor, dropped by coalition planes, urging the defenders to surrender. The leaflets, and evidence of an aerial or artillery attack, appear to have persuaded the defenders to abandon their posts without a fight.

[Bogey78O]

you mean this?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/873084/posts

[goldstategop]

Its a country as huge as California. Finding all his biological/chemical weapons will take months maybe years. First things first.

[cloud8]

So it took the US-led coalition less than 5 days to find WMDs that the arms inspectors couldn't find in 12 years. Thanks for posting this...we all needed some good news today. On to Baghdad!

[xJones]

Well, nobody tell Hans Blix. He needs to continue sleep-walking.

[agincourt1415]

I was just wondering if Centcom is just not going to comment on WMD found? They just got asked questions and they basically brushed them off.

Seems like they you anounce this find to the world.

[eddie willers]

Of course they had been there, but those rose-colored glasses obscured their vision.

Ignorance is Blix.

[litany_of_lies]

I could lock myself in a closet for a week, and at the end of the week I would still be more informed about the war than Paula Zahn.

In retrospect, the Fox-CNN "trade" of Paula for Greta put FNC on top once and for all. They haven't looked back since.

[EdReform]

BTTT

[Scott from the Left Coast]

FR thread on that subject (Chem Plant Capture) here:

U.S. Troops Capture Chemical Plant

[agincourt1415]

I meant "It seems like Centcom would anounce finds in a news conference as they are found" Re: WMD.

[knak]

I know that. I just meant I hope the Iraqi's run awy and we can just walk in and find the things when there's no danger of our guys getting hurt by them.

[U S Army EOD]

I don't understand why you people are making a big deal about this, Hans told me personally this is where he was going to look next if he could just stay another day. Infact, he said he was going there for wine and cheese with Jock.

[Carry_Okie]

I don't know, but it might be possible that the purchase of these missiles predates Putin or that they were purchased from the Russian mob.

In the case of the French, things are probably more clearcut.

[Magnolia]

Ignorance is Blix.

So true. It would be almost amusing if this wasn't so serious.

[eddie willers]

Except for your headline what makes these weapons "banned."

Cruise....long range...a no-no I believe.

[concerned about politics]

you mean this?

Yes. The chemical plant was made to look like sand from the air, and was inside Iraq past the no fly zone. Was called a metal factory.

[NautiNurse]

Some of the boxes are clearly marked with the names of British manufacturers...the missiles - date-marked 2002...

Odd?

[Magnolia]

I don't know, but it might be possible that the purchase of these missiles predates Putin or that they were purchased from the Russian mob.

You make a good point Carry. Nonetheless, it may explain Russia's refusal to join the coalition. Putin may know more than he's let on.

[Terridan]

THERE ARE NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, NO CHEMICAL WEAPONS, NO TERRORISTS!!!! ONLY AMERICAN PROPAGANDA...

Will someone please post a brave reporter nailing Dashole on this???? His lack of intelligence in protecting the American people, our American Military???
Sheesh.

[FreedomPoster]

Do you have a better link at SMH? I'm not finding this story?