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| Iraq |
| Republican Guard Heads Toward U.S. Troops |
| 2003-03-27 |
| A large contingent of Iraq's elite Republican Guard headed south in a 1,000-vehicle convoy Wednesday toward U.S. Marines in central Iraq - an area that already has seen the heaviest fighting of the war. In Baghdad, Iraqi officials said two cruise missiles hit a residential area, killing 14 people. Word of the Republican Guard advance came as U.S. units in central Iraq appeared to be shifting their strategy because of the attacks from Iraqi militiamen. Instead of racing to Baghdad, some units were moving slower to clear out pockets of opposition. ``We're going into a hunting mode right now,'' said Lt. Col. B.T. McCoy of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. ``We're going to start hunting down instead of letting them take the cheap shots.'' It's "elk-hunter" hunting season for the Marines! Guys, the ranger has licensed you to use large-bore weapons. Don't worry about bringing any of the varmints home, just field-dress them for us. Cobra pilots resupplying Marines in central Iraq cited military intelligence reports that 3,000 Republican Guard troops were moving from Baghdad to the city of Kut, and 2,000 more were seen south of Kut. The Iraqis, issued their first Together, the reports appeared to signal that the Republican Guard, Saddam Hussein's best trained and most loyal force, was still Oh, please, please take the offensive. The U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division drew to within 50 miles of Baghdad, west of where the Republican Guard was advancing. Other American forces were expected to join soon in squeezing the capital from several directions. Asked about military conditions south of Baghdad, Brooks said ``we've not seen any significant movement'' in the area by the Republican Guard. ``There have been local positionings and survival positionings, but not serious attacks,'' he said. "They looked like they were digging mighty big holes to hide in, which suited us fine, since it made it easier to back-fill the lot of them." |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #8 "Cobra pilots resupplying Marines in central Iraq..." Huh? I thought Cobra were gunships. Since when were they used to "resupply"? But then, this could just be another example of the idiot reporter in over his knowledge base. |
| Posted by: H.D. Miller 2003-03-27 11:35:07 |
| #7 Bag limit is infinite, possession limit is 0. Just grade over the site, and keep truckin'. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-03-27 11:20:12 |
| #6 Steve, you forgot to mention there's no bag limit. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-03-27 08:50:41 |
| #5 Hmm.. sucks to be them. They reached out and seized defeat from the jaws of .. err.. |
| Posted by: Dishman 2003-03-27 02:36:23 |
| #4 As I write, it has been reported that the entire RG unit was squashed by Coalition airpower. In order to channel Arab rage, the Saddamites have been harping on their alleged success at Umm Qasr. Reality dictates that the allies held back in that theater, in consideration of civilian casualties. Yet the Arab world is celebrating alleged heroic "hold-outs." For example: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/opinion/25_03_03_b.asp Over 50% of Coalition field target-applications are being rejected by operations commanders, according to "rules of engagement" respecting civilians. It has to be understood that civilians abandon buildings when armed men enter, thus, it is reasonable to target buildings from which sniper fire originates. |
| Posted by: Anonon 2003-03-27 02:21:59 |
| #3 If they end up across the Euphrates without any engagements, then it's pretty clear what happened. We've said we want Iraq to have an army when we're done. They can park in the desert for a week or two, and we'll keep 'em supplied (via the Red Crescent, of course). Perfidy isn't really an option. Out in the open desert, they'd be sitting ducks for us if that were our intent. Not surrendering. Just choosing to be ready to fight another foe on some other day. |
| Posted by: Dishman 2003-03-27 02:16:13 |
| #2 What, you mean they're surrendering? |
| Posted by: RW 2003-03-27 01:11:13 |
| #1 When I first heard of this, it seemed to me that it was because of false orders given through tapped communications lines. If reports are true that the convoy has not been attacked... then I'm inclined to believe that the orders arrived rather more openly. This could be VERY interesting. |
| Posted by: Dishman 2003-03-27 00:28:06 |