Thanks, Lib.
Funny how Saddam said they’d fight with sticks and knives if necessary. I was wondering if they’d got a new army since the first Gulf War. Apparently not, since these guys seem to be surrendering even quicker.
Thanks for the updates, Lib.
You’re welcome, Morgainelf and DaToad!
Fox News reports that Saddam has received a unanimous vote of support from his parliament. Saddam has ordered the citizens who remain in Baghdad to set ablaze barrels of oil and stacks of wood. Officials suspect that Saddam believes this might hinder coalition bombings and drive them off-target. Officials noted that most bombs now are equipped with GPS devices and will be unaffected by the smokescreen. Targets are chosen by computer before planes or missiles are even launched. 7,000 targets have already been selected for the first wave of strikes. 2,000,000 leaflets were dropped in Iraq today explaining to Iraqi soldiers how to surrender. Thousands of reinforcements are on the way from Georgia, Texas, and other locations to help in everything from bridge and oil-well repair to policing.
Oh man. One of the worst parts of the first Gulf War were those burning oil wells. Whaddaya wanna bet he’s going to do that again?
According to sources at MSNBC (I think, maybe Fox), US special forces (Navy SEALS and that sort of thing) are already positioned near key strategic oil fields, and airborne support is prepared at a moment’s notice to thwart any such activity. These fields will be among the first occupation objectives.
Thanks Libertarian. Like so many others I am at work and having difficulty keeping up with the news. Your thread is a wonderful idea (and I am also able to keep my colleagues updated from it).
Thanks again
You’re welcome, UnwrittenNocturne!
MSNBC reports that US warplanes have already taken out artillery positions and missile launching sites near Basra in southern Iraq. These were not necessarily connected to the impending invasion, but rather were responses to Iraqi violations of the southern No-Fly Zone yesterday. The city of Basra is another early acquisition target. Skeptics suspect that there were concerns about artillery being so close to coalition troops in the DMZ. Iraqi artillery is “world class” and their soldiers are well-trained and practiced in using it. Artillery accounts for the highest number of infantry casualties.
Good to know on the oil field front, Lib. Thanks for that tidbit and for this thread. You’re a sweetie-weetie.
Thanks, Gazelle!
CNN reports that it has Pentagon confirmation that the artillery pieces were indeed taken out as a preparatory move and not a responsive move. Events are beginning to move very quickly. When the attack begins in earnest, it is expected to resemble nothing seen in the history of warfare. Simultaneous air, naval, and land strikes are designed to overwhelm nearly the entire nation in a few hours time. Experts say that there is no such thing as a “front” anymore. There will be thousands of fronts opened at once. The entire set of sweeps are being controlled by computer from command headquarters. The new tactics, somewhat similar to German blitzkrieg tactics, are called “Shock and Awe”.
The war has begun.
Let us then, both for or against, hope for a swift resolution. My thoughts lie with all involved, the families of the American, British, Australian and Iraqi forces and of course the combatants themselves. Let us hope for a minimum of civilian casualties and a speedy end to the dictator.
bows head
The Evening Standard has now withdrawn the report beagledave linked to (at least, it’s not on any of their news pages now). I’d seen the same thing and couldn’t access the boards to post it, but it now appears a little premature–no other outlets are following suit, and the story first appeared around 4.30pm GMT (it’s now 8.00pm).
CNN reports that the White House has advised that Americans should be prepared for casualties, and not be misled into believing that the war will be sanitary. The Pentagon stresses that “the war has not started yet”. It says that it will be very clear when the war has begun. (Sorry, Beagledave!) Sensor-fused weapons will be making their debut. In time-honored tradition, surrendering Iraqi officers will be allowed to keep their sidearms.
Thank you Libertarian! I have no TV and these updates are very much appreciated.
fair 'nuff. I saw the Evening Standard link at another board…but it sounds like they jumped the gun
I thought this was worth repeating.
Thanks Libertarian.
You’re welcome, Koeeoaddi!
That’s okay, Beagledave. It was worth reporting anyway. You never know! 
Fox News reports via an embedded reporter (reporters who travel with the troops in personnel carriers) that the 3rd Infantry division is now in “attack position” and is prepared to carry out the president’s orders. All threats from Iraqi missiles and artillery against forward positioned troops have been “neutralized”. Israel says that it is “100% prepared” for any Iraqi attack.
In time-honored tradition, surrendering Iraqi officers will be allowed to keep their sidearms. :eek: 
:eek:
What tradition is this?