Warplanes attack Basra column

BBC ^ | 3/26/2003 18:24 GMT | Clive Myrie

[Blood of Tyrants]

See my fears in post #9. They would do something like that, telling the civilians that they are being evacuated.

[JeeperFreeper]

It's a retreat. And the Iraqis will die in a storm of high explosive and steel. Out in the open, these thugs die. In the cities, these thugs die. It's the beginning of the end in the south. The line to hell will be long tonight.

[Destro]

Highway of Death part one was the Iraqi's retreating from combat in this case they are going into combat. The results will be the same.

[RightWhale]

the Iraqi's are making this all out effort

They got some warriors alright. Got to grant that.

[brewcrew]

That's exactly what I was going to say - they're backing themselves into a corner. Unless they are on a suicide mission with WMD on-board. Back 'em into a corner then they blow their wad. I hope we keep a safe distance (i.e. Warthog airstrikes).

[merrin]

He says the movement of Iraqi armour may be a counter-attack to recapture ground lost over the last two or three days, or possibly a tactical retreat from Basra because of the possibility of an uprising in the north of the city.

The incident is believed to have been suicide. Friends said the column had been "very depressed lately."

[RetiredArmy]

If confirmed as a coalition attack, correspondents say it will be a blow to attempts by the US-led forces to minimise civilian casualties during their drive to unseat Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

You know, after 9-1-1, I just can't find the time or energy to even feel sorry for these casualties. So sad, so bad. Sorry. Call me callous. Tough knockers.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Perhaps they don't have info that the other cities have already fallen and are just running toward what tehy hope is safety.

[Mister Magoo]

Good news. The Achilles' heel of the Iraqi forces is their inability to maneuver. If they move, air power will annihilate them. The only possible way for the Iraqis to defeat our attack is the force us into a battle of attrition. But that simply won't happen with our armor and air. Here's what I think will happen -- at some point, the Kurds and 101st will launch an offensive. Simultaneously, the forces in west Iraq will smash the Guards at the western approaches to Baghdad. And finally, our air power will carve lanes of entry through the Guard divisions in the South. Once those lanes are created, our armor will move through the Guard lines and attack the entrenched units from the rear and flanks. I have no doubt whatsoever that the Guard units will be crushed in due haste.

[ravingnutter]

I'm always surprised that something so ugly can actually fly.

Oh good grief...that comment just conjured up a horrible vision...Helen Thomas on her broom, LOL! Good thing I haven't had lunch yet...

[Polybius]

I am suprised the Iraqi's are making this all out effort and are trying to put up a fight still.

The die-hards are the Baathist Party loyalists that have terrorized their fellow Iraqis for so long. Their choices are to die by the mob or die in battle. They have chosen the latter.

[info_scout]

Retreat would be north of of the Euphrates. Report indicates movement south. They are on the offensive.

[ewing]

Could be CNNfn was also saying that there are reports of troops from Baghdad going to meet these guys..

[ThinkPlease]

I was eating. Thanks. *urp* I'm not hungry any more. Blech.

[AngryJawa]

Disagree. The A-10 is a thing of beauty. Form follows function, after all.

[Coop]

Much to my surprise (and delight) it would appear the initial report you posted was correct. Not that I was doubting you, but I did doubt the reported action. Happy to admit I was wrong!

[hawkaw]

I guess they tried to use "darkness" as a way of an attack seeing the sandstorm seems over in that area based on a weather forcast I saw on some thread. But I must admit, this whole story just doesn't make sense. It seems like a big suicide adventure. They can't be that dumb.

[brewcrew]

They got some warriors alright. Got to grant that.

Not usually the sharpest pencils in the cup, but dedicated, yes.

Heard a Marine commander on Fox this morning describe them as being willing to die for their cause, "which a lot of them have done today." Cracked me up.

[agitator]

this column is soon to become the "Republican Charred"

[AntiGuv]

Umm Qasr & the al-Faw peninsula are actually a bit south-east of Basra; the Zubayr & Rumaila fields are south-west: