Republican Guard (1,000 vehicles) headed through sandstorm to thin US forces which are being rapidly reinforced. Helicopters grounded for 2 more days due to storm. Other air cover limited, but improving. I cannot imagine anything but a brief gain by the Iraqis. I doubt that they have good enough intel to fend off addtional US reiforcements that will certainly enter the battle.
hmm. but with the bad weather, no chopper support. and support from jets are probably at a minimum too. not good.
Supposedly some rain or something over there has cleared a lot of the dust in the air making things more visible. Lets hope that's true.
It is good for the allied forces to get these Iraqi assets out of Bagdad, out in the open, and on the move--which requires formation. Now the allied forces just need weather decent enough to allow for delivering the big bombs. CNN is trying to get verification on the 1,000 vehicle formation. A CNN military commentator mentioned that the US has at least one plane type which can deliver in inclement weather.
I have a funny feeling that this Guard division maybe has some kind of surrender deal going on here……. Any chance ?????
The Iraqis must feel confident that under the cover of the sandstorm, they can inflict heavy casualties on the US and UK forces. It is a good gamble for them as it seems the Iraqi strategy is predicated on increasing international and domestic political pressure to pull out on the US and UK through civilian and military casualties. CNN estimates that at the current quick pace, the armored column should meet the US 7th Cavalry sometime tonight. CNN's weather guy says that this storm was expected as far back as Friday and he is sure the US war planners were prepared, and probably the Iraqis, too.
I don't think I would give them a chance... The news that Iraqi soldiers shot and killed some of our guys who were surrendering with their hands in the air PISSES ME OFF BIG TIME!!!!!
This is good news. Apparently they're actually going to come out and fight, and on terrain that favors us. There is also a column heading out of Basra, which the Brits and our tyroops are intercepting. I wonder if they're ready to start using their WMD? Only disturbing aspect of this move... Every Iraqi trooper and tank we kill in the open desert is one less that we will have to deal with in a city.
Some of the British military officials claim they would make for easy pickings for coalition aircraft.
Yeah, but why would they do this ? Weather or no weather, the R.G. must know this is suicide.......Like shooting fish in a barrel.
