Posted on 03/26/2003 8:56:14 PM PST by gaucho
Arbil, Iraq Press, March 26, 2003 ? Members of the dreaded militia force known as Saddam Fedayeen now have orders to kill any Iraqi on the spot if he refuses to fight the advancing U.S. and British forces.
The commando force is the most dreaded in Iraq and its powers and privileges even exceed those of the elite forces of the Republican Guard.
They are present in major cities and operate in small groups. Their tasks include maintaining order in residential areas and using maximum force to quell any sign of dissent.
They are also equipped with rocket propelled grenades, anti-tank weapons and modern vehicles mounted with machine guns.
Observers believe the presence of these paramilitary troops with unwavering loyalty to Saddam is one of the reasons, which have prevented ordinary Iraqis to rise against the regime so far.
There have been unconfirmed reports of a civilian uprising in the beleaguered city of Basra where U.S. and British forces are reportedly standing by to enter.
Saddam commandos are reputed for their brutality and ruthlessness across the country. They beheaded scores of women in public on allegation of adultery and amputated tongues of several Iraqis for slandering Saddam.
They will not hesitate to use their weapons against residents who would join a revolt against Saddam.
Saddam's elder son, Uday, leads the force. The Iraqi strongman is reported to be relying on the paramilitary commandos to prevent major cities from falling to the U.S. and British troops.
As a sign of the special importance Saddam attaches to the Fedayeen, Iraqi war communiqués now include a special section on their " valor " in disrupting enemy lines of supply and mounting hit-and-run attacks on their rear and front lines.
Just barbaric. Stalin would be proud of his protoge'.
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