Iraqi Troops Reporting Deserting

Newsmax.com ^ | March 17, 2003 | Carl Limbacher

[Lady In Blue]

NewsMax.com

 

Monday, March 17, 2003

Iraqi Troops Reported Deserting

As many as 30,000 terrified Iraqi soldiers have already deserted, according to a report in Britain's Sun newspaper.

Writing from the U.S. Command Center in Qatar, Sun correspondents George Pascoe-Watson and Simon Hughes reported that intelligence sources estimate that as many as 15 percent of Saddam's army have deserted before a single shot has been fired.

A senior British war planner at US Central Command in Qatar told the Sun last night: "Iraqi soldiers are scared out of their wits at what they know is over their borders.They are not stupid. They know if they hang around there’s a good chance of things getting very nasty indeed."

The mass desertions fueled the Sun reports by leaflet drops warning Saddam’s men to quit or face death, was uncovered by eavesdropping on military communications.

The paper speculated that Saddam may not even be able to rely on his elite Republican Guard. Military planners believe the troops may turn on their generals rather than face the 250,000-strong Allied force.

[MisterHistory]

Normally I would discount reporting of this nature, but the times they are a changing.

I have heard and read about many instances of the Iraqi soldiers ready to surrender, both in 1991 and now. I believe that the U.S. Military is not counting on surrender as a tactic and nor should they. Hoping to take advantage of such a situation might be more accurate.

I do believe that defection,surrender, or desertion is a much stronger possibility now than twelve years ago.

Hoping for hours instead of days, instead of weeks.

[God is good]

30,000 terrified yet smart Iraqi soldiers...

[God is good]

Vote with your feet as they say.

[MCH]

NOW should be especially pleased with this development. That's 30,000 X 72 = 2.16 million virgins who will remain virtuous in Islam "heaven". Oh well, there'll still be a shortage no doubt. I'm guessing this must be the gay contingent of Saddam's army.

[Michael Barnes]

As long as they keep surrendering. They will get good treatment by our G.I.'s, meals, medical care; treated like humans for a change. These that are surrendering now, will most likely be our loyalist in the coming months. The hard core's are the one's I want to introduce to the MOAB. These conscripts are most likely, by and large, looking to save their own hide's. We all know GW I was 12 years ago, but we did lay down a horrendous smack down on Iraq. I doubt most of saddam's fodder has foregotten that. Given a repeat or the choice of life, what do you think they are going to pick?

[LibKill]

Good for them. Saddam's slaves are making a move to escape.

I bet Saddam is going to be very lonely, shortly before the end.

[bray]

Last one out, turn out his lights!

Pray for GW and Our Troops

[tessalu]

I think that someone finally told them that the promise of 72 virgins was just a joke!

[FLcitizen]

I understand now why the French have been adamantly opposed to this war. Evidently they’ve been training the Iraqi military. And now, the student has surpassed the teacher at the only thing the French military is good at.....surrendering at the first sign of a fight!

[GaryMontana]

I think we should use these Iraqis in our front line to further encourge more Iraqis to surrender or join our side. Having the Iraqi troops join our side is a huge political plus.

What can the liberals say about having Iraqi troops join our side in the fight? Guess it proves they are WRONG!

[tob2]

Telling, very telling about conditions in Iraq.

[sunnym]

BTTT

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

But I hate statistics especially writen by a journalists.

Studies show that 94.53% of all statistics are made up.

[Hila]

We pray no Trojan Horse scheme, indeed.

[crazycat]

I wonder if this is true, as any deserters who go home will be killed pdq by Sodemite thugs.

It is much more likely they will surrender once the Allies move in and they have someone to surrender to.

[ex-Texan]

Bump for later reading

[ChadGore]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[oyez]

Tell them Saddam Hussein has won the coin toss and has elected to receive.

[Bulldogs22]

We may win without firing a shot.