Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Iraq Massing 4 Divisions on Jordanian Frontier Border
World Net Daily.com and DEBKAfile Security and Terrorism Newsletter ^ | April 24, 2002 | Gioria Shamis and Diane Shalem (Former 'The Economist' Magazine Reporter-30 year yeteran)

Posted on 04/24/2002 8:46:56 AM PDT by codebreaker

DEKAfile's military sources provide details of the Iraqi troop movements.

The force Iraq started massing some weeks ago contains 3-4 of its 7 crack Republican Guard Divisions, which are stationed in the center of the country opposite the Jordanian frontier. They are fanned out across a 300 sq.km stretch of land, bounded by four bases:H-3 Main, H-3 Southwest, and H-3 Northwest-350 km. west of Baghdad-and the big al Baghdadi ground and air base west of town of Rutbah.

The Iraqi high command reckons the first American strike, carried out under the cover of bombing and missile barrage, will try and capture this area and take over the four bases-much in the way a main US base was set up in Kandahar, Afhganistan. From there the US forces will threaten the capital Baghdad.

The Iraqi response will be to divide their strength into two contingents. One leg by Saddam Hussein's son Qusay, will fall back towards Baghdad; the other will push into Jordan and sieze its eastern region, ready for an eventual move into the capital Amman. The Israeli troop concentration the Saudis are referring to-whose presence Israeli spokesmen deny-is poised to defend Jordan against this very Iraqi assault.

By his pincer movement, Saddam hopes to crush the American force, trapping it in a isolated pocket, vulnerable to a blitz of missiles carrying chemical and biological agents. Simultaneously, Iraqi missile barrages will be aimed at Israel and US military targets in the Jewish state, as well as American military facilities in the Gulf, Kuwait and Qatar.Iraq is also set to counter alternative US tatics. This week, Baghdad deployed heavy reinforcements of anti-air missile batteries in the southern and northern no-fly zones patrolled by US and British allied planes. This move was a preventative measure against a possible US attempt to sieze Iraq's northern and southern oilfields. The batteries are aimed not only against bombers but also large scale helicopter squadrons flying US and British Marines in from Kuwait, Oman or Turkey.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; Israel; Political Humor/Cartoons; Russia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: border; debka; iraq; israel; jordan; republicanguard; russia; waronterror
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-115 next last
To: dead
And I hope to take Anna Kournikova on a romantic cruise.

Perhaps you should hire a world renowned poilitcal strategist to help facilitate that endeavor.

41 posted on 04/24/2002 9:32:52 AM PDT by MassExodus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: ken5050
putting massed armor formations in the open desert without air cover makes for a target rich environment......

Yes, it is suicide, but it also protects their mobile scud units from American Special Forces grounds troops. In the Gulf War America used ground troops to track down and "paint" mobile scuds so our planes could then bomb them. Apparently, it's too difficult to track the mobile scuds via satelite so the USA must use ground troops to track them down. The massive numbers of Iraqi ground troops will make it difficult for our Special Forces to get to the mobile scuds.

42 posted on 04/24/2002 9:33:35 AM PDT by oldvike
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: codebreaker
Thanks for the refresher, that previous Iraqi op might have been a lot of recon for a coming battle plan.

No, my sarcasm apparently wasn't obvious enough. The Iraqi "invasion" of Jordan last summer never happened. Just like the Chinese troops sent to fight alongside the Taliban never happened.

Debka makes this crap up.

43 posted on 04/24/2002 9:34:18 AM PDT by Dog Gone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: codebreaker
A defensive or aggressive move?

Given the source, DEBKA, fanstasy may be the adjective you are searching for.

But, considering the sage advice that even a blind squirrel sometimes finds a nut...

"Fanstasy" is still the word to use. The Iraqis would be pitting strength against strength. Sun-tzu teaches us to pit strength against weakness. The simple truth is that even with a "home field advantage", the Iraqi military is incapable of withstanding an American onslaught. They tried that against Bush the Elder and got pummelled. The Al Qaeda and the Taliban tried it against Bush the Younger to the same result. Saddam can move his forces where ever he pleases; no military option will help him. Sun-tzu teaches us to defeat an enemy who's already been defeated before the battle even starts. You beat an enemy by depriving him of allies, cutting him off from resources, sowing dissension within his ranks, etc.. In these areas, the US has already beaten Iraq. They are isolated and ill suited to the type of campaign necessary to defeating the Americans. Defense in depth from positions within Jordan and Saudi Arabia might have worked, but Saddam's in no position to mount such a campaign. He's beaten before a single shot's been fired. His only option is to sue for peace. But if this report is accurate, then he's setting himself up for another drubbing.

44 posted on 04/24/2002 9:34:22 AM PDT by Redcloak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: codebreaker
If at all true, this would make it a LOT easier for W. It sure would settle the "moral clarity" issue. It would be clearly us against them. this time fighting side by side with the IDF. As it should be. And yes, it does indeed look like a target rich environment.
45 posted on 04/24/2002 9:34:55 AM PDT by AdA$tra
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ken5050
more like Suicide.....putting massed armor formations in the open desert without air cover makes for a target rich environment..

I hope they learned not to run their engines and have figured out how to stop infra red energy from their sun heated tanks from lighting them up as targets.

46 posted on 04/24/2002 9:35:47 AM PDT by OReilly
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: kidd
Was it not yesterday that the Saudi's had positioned 8 brigades at some Jordanian border. Okay who will it be on what border tomorrow?
47 posted on 04/24/2002 9:36:38 AM PDT by TexKat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: oldvike
It is especially suicidal if, like last time, Saddam just parks his vehicles out in the open and doesn't require them to move around on a frequent basis.

Personally, I think that if Saddams really believes that we are planning to invade his country no matter what he does, he will strike soon, even if doing so is completely futile, becasue he has nothing to lose and because the US is only going to get more prepared in the coming months.

48 posted on 04/24/2002 9:37:36 AM PDT by Stingray51
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Stingray51
The thing is that Sadam knows he stands no chance against the USA, but if he starts bombing Israel all hell will break loose in the middle east and our "Coalition" will fall apart in a second.
49 posted on 04/24/2002 9:39:50 AM PDT by oldvike
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: MassExodus
Where did you get the Dick Morris image!!
50 posted on 04/24/2002 9:40:38 AM PDT by codebreaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Redcloak
This is all about breaking coalitions and suicides and starting a full scale war between civilzations.. (from Saddams view) I don't think Sun Tzu applies to hari kari
51 posted on 04/24/2002 9:43:26 AM PDT by codebreaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: codebreaker

My new favorite website ( next to F.R. of Course ! ) - http://www.supercomics.com/

52 posted on 04/24/2002 9:46:26 AM PDT by MassExodus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: dead
Anna Kournikova

Mr. Dead Sir!
You have violated the "Anna" rule. You know if you mention her name, you must post her photo.

Now that I've used her name in chastising you, I'm bound by that same rule.
Unlike you, I will comply with the rule.


53 posted on 04/24/2002 9:47:50 AM PDT by ASA Vet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: codebreaker
massing some weeks ago contains 3-4 of its 7 crack Republican Guard Divisions, which are stationed in the center of the country opposite the Jordanian frontier.

Brilliant strategy! This will cut down on how far the Crack Troops will need to run in order to seek refugee status in Jordan. :)
54 posted on 04/24/2002 9:49:47 AM PDT by Daus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #55 Removed by Moderator

To: First Team
LOL, my point exactly. That's why it's in quotations.
56 posted on 04/24/2002 9:52:03 AM PDT by oldvike
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: First Team
"Now, would crack refer to what they're smoking or that portion of their anatomy most commonly seen by their enemies?"

There really should be an weekly award given to notible Freepers for Best Posts of the Week. I nominate yours

57 posted on 04/24/2002 9:57:02 AM PDT by PRO 1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: codebreaker
Ah, a few WMDs droped from altitude should take care of this butthead's plans. I do like the idea of Israel defending Jordan. That should open a few eyes.
58 posted on 04/24/2002 10:01:03 AM PDT by DoughtyOne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: codebreaker
Debka?
59 posted on 04/24/2002 10:01:34 AM PDT by texlok
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PRO 1
Actually, there is ...
60 posted on 04/24/2002 10:02:16 AM PDT by tomkat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-115 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson