TROOPS TOLD - BE READY - MAJOR ATTACK AT 430 PM GMT (1130 EST)

SKY NEWS - UK ^ | MARCH 20, 2003 | SKY NEWS

[Mister Magoo]

TROOPS TOLD: 'BE READY'

US forces in northern Kuwait have been told to be ready to launch a major attack on Iraq at 4.30pm GMT.

Troops assembled close to the border with Iraq have been ordered to be battle ready - wearing full chemical protection suits and gas masks.

It comes as Downing Street confirmed Tony Blair will address the nation tonight.

US Security sources have also claimed that the Iraqis have set fire to oilfields in the country's south.

Sporadic fighting has also broken out in the deminitarised zone between Iraq and Kuwait, according to the US sources.

Earlier, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon - following the first meeting of Britain's War Cabinet - said a larger scale operation was "very, very near."

The first air salvoes started at dawn when the US military says about 40 cruise missiles were fired at the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Washington admitted the attack came earlier than expected following intelligence information on the whereabouts of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

CIA director George Tenet told the US President that intelligence sources indicated the possibility that Iraqi leaders were meeting in the area.

President Bush gave the go-ahead for the attack - aimed at "taking out" Saddam and "decapitating" the Iraqi regime.

Just hours later, the Iraqi leader made a television appearance urging his people to fight to victory and declaring a holy war.

US security officials said a glitch in the speech proves it was pre-recorded - and hinted a Saddam body-double could have been used.

The CIA is trying to ascertain if the Iraqi leader was killed in the strikes - but say that could take days.

However, Israeli security sources said Saddam's appearance was "live and authentic".

Iraq responded to the dawn attacks, in which they claim one civilian was killed, by firing scud missiles on targets in Kuwait.

According to US officials, they were targeting US troops. Two missiles hit Kuwaiti territory and two were intercepted by patriot missiles.

Artillery fire was also heard in an attack on Iraq from northern Kuwait.

France is leading the opposition to the war, with President Jacques Chirac calling for a swift end to action. Russia, China and Germany have all expressed "grave concerns".

Last Updated: 15:51 UK, Thursday March 20, 2003

[Caipirabob]

Are we certain that we're giving the Iraqis enough of a warning?!?

[shezza]

Gulp... here we go. God bless and protect our troops.

[Thane_Banquo]

Mod, please delete.

Loose lips sink ships. Give no precise timing.

[steveo]

This is all over the media. Think man, think.

[dogbyte12]

This stuff is coming from the pentagon deliberately. First we want to tip off the Iraqi field commanders that have already agreed to surrender, and to strike fear in the heart of those who are staying to fight.

There is probably a team of pentagon psychologists who are part of the team that decides what gets leaked to create the most mental distress upon the Iraqi war machine.

[Mister Magoo]

It's already been reported on Sky, Fox, & Reuters, at this point.

[dennis1x]

as has been pointed out countless time, the Iraqis are probably not monitoring freerepublic. reports from major news organizations probably are...so if those reports are posted here...well...it doesnt really matter.

[Julliardsux]

I hate to burst your bubble - but Iraqi military is not riveted to FreeRepublic.

[wizzler]

Mod, please delete. Loose lips sink ships. Give no precise timing.

I'm sure you enjoy the melodrama of fantasizing that top-secret information is sitting here in this thread, but come on! Gimme a break.

[Thane_Banquo]

I guess you're right, but I'm still not comfortable with it. I don't want our troops in greater risk than they already are.

[Gopher Broke]

Yes are we RUSHING TO WAR? Saddam signed the 1991 treaty that stopped us from entering Bagdad...he agreed then to disarm in 15 DAYS!

Twelve years and 18 resolutions later...the enforcement begins....."rushing to war"??????

[Semper Paratus]

This info release may be condoned to let the Iraqi know when to break out the white sheets.

[Peach]

How in the world can we be starting a ground force troop movement without taking out more of Iraqi positions with shock and awe.

[dogbyte12]

I could see Saddam, being interupted by Tariq Aziz... "My leader, we need a decision on troop placement"... Not yet, you fool, I am freeping... looks like the US army is about to launch.

[Mister Magoo]

If the press is reporting this from Kuwait, it's getting out because the armed forces want it to get out.

[ewing]

[xJones]

Are we certain that we're giving the Iraqis enough of a warning?!?

Or maybe we're letting psychologists run this war, and they keep trying to freak the Iraqi leadership out. The problem with psyops is that everyone is confused.

[thoughtomator]

The funny part is that we probably get more information about the war here on FR than Saddam and his sons are getting in their HQ.

[Rezod21]

What the hell is wrong with news reporters. Why would you broadcast the times of anything that was going on? Why would you say there is movement at all? Why don't they just setup direct links to Baghdad so they can tell him directly?

I say let me know what happened a few days ago. Don't tell me what they are about to do. I dont CARE, I care more about the lives you are putting in danger.