US Troops First Encounter Iraqi Republican Guards [50 mi. out at 'Gateway to Baghdad']

DEBKAfile Security Newletter 'Iraq War Diary' ^ | March 24, 2003 | Gioria Shamis 'Economist Magazine' Reporter

[ewing]

The first frontal engagements between united States troops marching on Baghdad and Saddam Husseins Elite Special Republican Guards began near Al Amarah, a small town on the Tigris River, and at al Kut, some 100 miles upriver to the Northwest.

Al Amarah is geographically the southern gateway to Baghdad.

The United States led column driving towards Baghdad along the easternmost route up the Tigris River led by 1st and 2nd Marine Divisons.

Sunday, they bypassed Basra, leaving behind the 7th British Division to assert control over Iraq's second largest city and dashed north towards Al Amarah.

Waiting for them were three Iraq divisions, the 10th, the 11th, and the 4th Corps, which is the Special Republican Guards Nida Armoured Division.

By the end of the day, the Marines and the Nida tank force had entered their first clash of arms in the series to come. (Three additional United States columns are also now pusing towards Baghdad)

[ewing]

Sandstorms have stopped US Forces for now about 60 miles from Baghdad..

[republicanwizard]

Sandstorms or not, we are quickly arriving at the gates of Baghdad. I believe that the battle for Baghdad will begin in the next 48 hours.

[jwalsh07]

No problem, troops could use a breather before the Battle of Baghdad.

Secure up the supply line, give the Air Force a chance to prepare the battlefield and then destroy the RG, once and forever.

[Illbay]

Al Amarah is a h*ll of a lot further than "fifty miles out" from Baghdad!

[chance33_98]

A few maps of Baghdad (one is quite large you can download, about 14meg, but quite detailed)

http://landsat7.usgs.gov/gallery/detail/101/1

http://www.nima.mil/ocrn/nima/srg/

[Grampa Dave]

This is from Debka. When have they ever let facts, reality and the truth get in the way with any story they put out.

They are the Reuters on the right side.

[Numbers Guy]

No problem, troops could use a breather before the Battle of Baghdad. Secure up the supply line, give the Air Force a chance to prepare the battlefield and then destroy the RG, once and forever.

I was thinking the same thing, a sandstorm helps prevent the counterattacks and our guys probably could use some rest and some time to get logistics in good shape.

[ewing]

3rd Divison is now 50 miles out of Bagdad according to the wires.

[blam]

"I believe that the battle for Baghdad will begin in the next 48 hours."

The battle began yesterday. The 'Longbow' helicopters were attacking the artillery units of the Republican Guards to keep them from firing chemical shells on our front-line troops. Also, I read that 70 Republican Guard tanks were taken out.

[jgrubbs]

DEBKA

[ewing]

Could be a two day sandstorm...

[TLBSHOW]

Nearly three in four Americans polled by ABC and The Washington Post approved of Bush's handling of the Iraqi conflict, for the first time exceeding his overall job approval rating of 68 percent.

An NBC poll put Bush's approval rating at 67 percent.


http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20030324_280.html

[ewing]

I had heard that the Republican Guard has now pulled back to 20-30 miles from Baghdad because of our attack.

Only two concentric rings remain around the city of Republican Guards.

[Credo]

Although I echo skepticism of Debka, I think the battle for Baghdad has been joined. The RG units in the open may be a perfect chance to further test MOAB.

[Illbay]

Oh, sorry, I didn't pay attention.

My person rule is never to reply to DEBKA posts.

[Mister Magoo]

I find it very interesting that Centcom is not commenting on the troops coming from Jordan and the exact location of our large westward swoop. The plan, excepting the northern front, is somewhat akin to the Von Schlieffen plan, where the axis at Basra is held, with the main force swooping around. Actually, I would not be at all surprised if our main force from Kuwait sweeps all the way to the NORTH of Baghdad to come into the rear of the Guards at Kirkuk and cut them off from Baghdad, while the main body of the southern forces more methodically approach Baghdad under heavy air support.

[eeman]

Are they whining yet that his approval numbers are not as high as his father's were after Desert Storm?

[tomahawk]

We eagerly await THREE MORE DIVISIONS, the U.S. 1st Armored, 1st Cavalry, and 4 Mechanized.

[Grampa Dave]

I used to be that way. Now I prefer to play with them like a mountain lion plays with a rat.

[MindBender26]

Where oh where is the 101st?