Iraqi Official Threatens 'Non-Conventional' Attacks

[chadtm80]

Friday, April 04, 2003

Iraq's information minister threatened coalition troops with "non-conventional" attacks on Friday, possibly as soon as nightfall, after allied troops tightened their grip on the area surrounding Baghdad.

And in a tape broadcast on Iraqi television, a man purporting to be Saddam Hussein, in full military uniform, read a statement calling on Iraqis to strike at coalition forces at the gates of the capital. The statement referred to the March 23 downing of a U.S. helicopter, which means the statement was taped after the war began.


"Perhaps you remember the valiant Iraqi peasant and how he shot down an American Apache with an old weapon," Saddam said. "Hit them with force, resist them, o people of Baghdad, whenever they advance upon your city, and remain true to your principles, your faith and your honor."

The dictator's only other appearances have been in regime-provided videotapes that could have been made before the war began.

Earlier in the day, U.S. forces seized control of the Iraqi capital's airport -- about 10 miles southwest of Baghdad -- after an all-night battle, and U.S. military officials said 2,500 of Saddam's elite Republican Guard had surrendered. Central Command said the coalition now has 6,000 Iraqi troops in custody.

To the southeast, U.S. Marines said the Nida division of the Iraqi Republican Guard had been defeated.

Thousands of civilians have started to flee Baghdad, anticipating a siege or a battle for their city.

In the face of the allied juggernaut, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, Iraq's information minister, sent a threat to coalition forces.

"Tonight we are going to commit untraditional attacks," he said during a press conference Friday. "We will commit a non-conventional act on them, not necessarily military.

"We will do something that will be a great example for these mercenaries."

Al-Sahhaf described the threats as a "kind of martyrdom operations" and insisted Iraq will not use weapons of mass destruction. But he added that the airport, which he described as an "isolated island," will be a "graveyard" for Americans.

Al-Sahhaf said it will be "difficult for the U.S. forces that are surrounded in Saddam airport to come out alive."

Al-Sahhaf's proclamations have been notorious since the war started. He has told the media that the Iraqis have been slaughtering coalition forces and has insisted that Saddam's regime is in full control of Iraq, despite all the reports coming directly from embedded reporters and U.S. military officials that the situation is exactly the opposite.

[Rainband]

Scary..Think they are gonna use WMD Or is he if it is him bluffing?? :?

Johnathan

[chadtm80]

[mf_dolphin]

If they do it's going to get real ugly real quick. Does anyone know what the weather in Bagdad is now? Chemical and biological are best used in low temp/wind/and humidity environments.

[chadtm80]

Highs are in the mid to upper 90's(maybe even breaking 100) today

[chadtm80]

[img]http://www.wunderground.com/data/images/gulf_temp_precip.gif
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Saturday




Sunday

[mf_dolphin]

Thanks Chad! Looks like there will be a SW wind tomorrow. That would take gaseous WMD away from most of the US troops at least.

[Rainband]

If they do it's going to get real ugly real quick. Does anyone know what the weather in Bagdad is now? Chemical and biological are best used in low temp/wind/and humidity environments.

If they did think we'd use nukes?? I heard on tv today that if it happens "the rules of engagement would go out the window real quick" This is from a military official..Does that mean we would use any means to retaliate..Just want your opinion?? As always thanks!!!

Johnathan

[deb_in_nc]

I don't think they'll nuke 'em.Too many innocent people still around.Of course if they do use WMD,
the innocents will more than likely die.So maybe they will. I guess we'll find out.

Debbie

[pojo]

Lets just hope they DO NOT use WMD's.

[Rainband]

Lets just hope they DO NOT use WMD's.

Amen to that..The curious thing to me..off topic a bit but why hasn't anybody, terror groups I mean, attacked anywhere in the US or our interests. I am not complaining :o just curious to why they haven't lowered the alert level?? Are the terrorists planning something or was it just a bluff?? Just something to think about. I remember when we were talking about duct tape and plastic. Everyone seems to have forgotten about that now with the war as a distraction..Think this will be an advantage when and if they do attack us?? :? :?

Johnathan

[mf_dolphin]

I seriously doubt that we would use nukes on Bagdad even if they do use chemical weapons. I think it's more likely that we would just pull the gloves off and use heavier weapons within the city.