posted on March 19, 2003 10:39:06 AM new
It has been reported (via AP & Fox News) that the surrender by Iraqi troops on the Kuwait border has begun. At this time a reported 20 to 30 have surrendered.
posted on March 19, 2003 11:33:01 AM new
I heard that also on the news.
But since war has not even started, we cannot take them? I mean as prisoners or whatever? Is that right? I think that they turned them over the Kuwati police.
I heard yesterday 3 Iraqi soldiers TRIED to surrender, and the U.S troops, first disarmed them, and then told them that they could not take them, because orders were not given for war yet. They sent them back into Iraq.
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on March 19, 2003 12:31:22 PM new
If Saddam's personal guard chooses not to fight we might be able to walk into Bagdad. I find it more likley that we will meet some resistance at least starting outside the city, possibly pockets along the way. I think a great number of the regular army will desert or surrender.
The most virulant American haters will likely flock to Bagdad to defend it. I am uncertain whether that will a lot or a few.
I suspect most of the Iraqi people live ordinary lives like you and I and would like to be free, without great loss of life. But in any population there is a "lunatic fringe".
I hope we have a quiet march into Bagdad, the elite guard surrenders, Saddam and his sons are found, and the country liberated. I think many all over the world, including the Iraqi people would breathe a sigh of relief. But I am prepared for the worst.
After all, I live in the capital of Texas, (Austin) where Bush was governor. Bush Sr lives in Houston, last I knew. And we have the largest university in the U.S. here with 53,000 students. Texas is considered a prime target for terrorism, along with N.Y.C. and L.A.
posted on March 19, 2003 12:32:40 PM new
Do not get your hopes up as these guys can not really be descriped as "soldiers", next to nothing in training, arms, food etc...
These are just cannon fodder for saddam. The real test will come when u.s.troops face the fanatical republican guard.
I hope all goes well and this is short and sweet.
posted on March 19, 2003 12:42:55 PM new
Yeah, Republican guard. coulnd't remember the name. I heard unconfirmed reports this morning twice that a few officers in the Republican Guard quietly sent word via the regular Iraqi army to our forces that they do not want to fight.
posted on March 19, 2003 12:52:02 PM new
Patty, I thought I heard a Texas accent in your posts, no wonder we agree on so much, in addition to being so close in age. I'm 160 miles east of you & 60 miles north of Houston.
posted on March 19, 2003 07:19:09 PM new
Patty, I do have deep roots here in Texas. One of my relatived died at the Alamo. He was the rider Travis sent to Sam Houston requesting additional troops to defend the Alamo. He returned by himself. I know you know the story & know his name.
posted on March 19, 2003 07:33:16 PM new
Bear, Texas history was waaaay back in 5th grade. Sorry to say I don't remember his name, but I will go online and find out. Yes, I remember the story well.
TERRIFIED Iraqi soldiers have crossed the Kuwait border and tried to surrender to British forces - because they thought the war had already started.
The motley band of a dozen troops waved the white flag as British paratroopers tested their weapons during a routine exercise.
The stunned Paras from 16 Air Assault Brigade were forced to tell the Iraqis they were not firing at them, and ordered them back to their home country telling them it was too early to surrender.
The drama unfolded last Monday as the Para batallion tested mortars and artillery weapons to make sure they were working properly.
The Iraqis found a way across the fortified border, which is sealed off with barbed-wire fencing, watchtowers and huge trenches.
TESTING TIME: British Marines are preparing for war
A British Army source in Kuwait contacted me to explain how the extraordinary surrender bid unfolded. The source said: "The British guys on the front-line could not believe what was happening. They were on pre-war exercises when all of a sudden these Iraqis turned up out of nowhere, with their hands in the air, saying they wanted to surrender.
"They had heard firing and thought it was the start of the war.
"The Paras are a tough, battle-hardened lot but were moved by the plight of the Iraqis. There was nothing they could do other than send them back.
"They were a motley bunch and you could barely describe them as soldiers - they were poorly equipped and didn't even have proper boots. Their physical condition was dreadful and they had obviously not had a square meal for ages. No one has ever known a group of so-called soldiers surrender before a shot has been fired in anger."
Last night the Ministry of Defence officially denied the incident had taken place, but the story was corroborated by an intelligence source.
Meanwhile Saddam Hussein has ordered thousands of troops back to Baghdad as he turns the city into a fortress.
It is believed that two rings of steel are being established around Baghdad. The outer one consists of regular Iraqi army soldiers and the inner one is made up of Republican Guard fighters - thought to be the only troops that will put up fierce resistance.
I did a quick search and found that my first mental guess on your ancestor's name was actually correct! I never knew his real name before, though. I appreciate all you and your family has contributed to freedom!
posted on March 19, 2003 08:44:32 PM new
::But since war has not even started, we cannot take them? I mean as prisoners or whatever? Is that right? I think that they turned them over the Kuwati police. ::
One of the reports I was watching stated the a number of soldiers were "surrendering" at the Kuwait border. Kuwait, fearing in anflux of Iraqis asked the soldiers to wait until military action actually began and to the surrender to the Americans.
Meadow - I understand your concern. I am in San Diego, considered a major target because of the naval and marine presence here and it's proximity to the border. When the first talks of possible war started after 9/11 my mother pleaded with me to move back to Colorado until I pointed out a US Today map that showed her suburb of Denvver to be one of the top 10 strategic targets in the US due to a cluster of Norad feeding radar sites tht are practically in her back yard. We always referred to them as the Jolly Green Giants golf balls. SHe'd probably be complaining now but I think her phone line is down from the thwo feet of snow they recieved yesterday
