[San Jacinto]

it could be Saddam's blowing his whole load on a coordinated counter-attack gamble.

Of the various speculations raised, this is the one which seems to bear some logic, but, if so, who is this column 'attacking'? By moving south, they will be cut off from any future manuevers, even if they somehow reach whatever objective it is that they are headed for.

[Toskrin]

I suspect they realized they were encicrled, and are trying to break out. They went in the direction where enemy forces were lightest. There's a reason they were light towards the south - there's nowhere to retreat.

[info_scout]

Attempt to retake Umm Qasr. Either a one-shot propaganda booster, or they feel they can move enough reenforcements down to redirect our reserve forces that are needed 200 miles north.