# Why aren't Iraqi soldiers allowed to surrender? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 18, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317 "2003-03-18T17:26:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/41 "2003-03-19T18:31:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by djbdjb \* > \*\*I’m wondering if there are Iraqi border guards in any kind of entry point close to the northern border of Kuwait (Hi! Where are you coming from? Bringing in any fresh fruit? Welcome to Iraq.) > > As a huge bunch of armored vehicles starts to get in line to go into the little toll booth, I think the guards should wander south for a little get-to-know-you visit and to make “arrangements” \*\* Actually, this is an astonishingly brilliant tactical move by Saddam. There are toll booths, and the signs say “Two-axled vehicles: 2000 dinars Multi-axled trucks: 1000 dinars per axle Tanks, APCs, HMMWVs, and other invasion vehicles: US$1000 per axle or track wheel. In cash.” ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/42 "2003-03-19T18:54:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cloudbase \* > \*\*This is a week or so old. Not sure how reliable the source is. > > [http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/news/page.cfm?objectid=12715943&method=full&siteid=106694](http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/news/page.cfm?objectid=12715943&method=full&siteid=106694) \*\* Egad! These guys slipped through watchtowers, barbed wire and trenches to \* surrender? \* ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/43 "2003-03-19T19:05:32Z")
CNN has just reported that 17 iraqi soldiers have surrendered. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/44 "2003-03-19T19:05:54Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Gorsnak_ > give them a throwaway hotmail address and say your zip code’s 90210 Personally, I prefer to use 24601. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/45 "2003-03-19T19:14:37Z")
I love these surrender stories. I hope this turns into the greatest non-violent war ever. But, I fear that Saddam and his closest henchmen are not going to go easily. The Special Republican Guard are well trained and have a lot to lose, they will probably fight. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/46 "2003-03-19T19:17:03Z")
Oh, I forgot the whole point I was posting :smack:. I think taking prisoners before the war starts would be a provocation to the Iraqis. They would call it an act of war. Though, given the circumstances, I’m not sure why we would care. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/47 "2003-03-19T19:31:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LonesomePolecat \* > Egad! These guys slipped through watchtowers, barbed wire and trenches to \* surrender? \* Naw, there are plenty of big gaps now. [http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/07/iraq.kuwait.border/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/07/iraq.kuwait.border/index.html) Actually the border is not that well defended since there is a DMZ that the UN monitors. No US or Iraqi forces are allowed in the DMZ. I don’t think the US will be sweating violating that particular UN resolution when the war starts though! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/48 "2003-03-19T20:13:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nametag \* > \*\*Actually, this is an astonishingly brilliant tactical move by Saddam. There are toll booths, and the signs say > “Two-axled vehicles: 2000 dinars > Multi-axled trucks: 1000 dinars per axle > Tanks, APCs, HMMWVs, and other invasion vehicles: US$1000 per axle or track wheel. In cash.” \*\* \ Somebody’s gotta go back and get a shitload of dimes! \ ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/49 "2003-03-19T20:19:54Z")
In case anyone wants to see them, [Globalsecurity.org](http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_art-of-war.htm) has images of the leaflets we are currently dropping on the Iraqi lines. According to BBC, [half a million leaflets have been dropped](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/not_in_website/syndication/monitoring/media_reports/2583893.stm), and American Psyops broadcasts are giving surrender instructions. ---
**Author:** ![Lostboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Lostboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lostboy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/50 "2003-03-19T22:05:08Z")
First the French sell weapons to the Iraqis, and now they’re giving them strategic advice? :😃 ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/51 "2003-03-19T22:21:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nametag \* > \*\*Actually, this is an astonishingly brilliant tactical move by Saddam. There are toll booths, and the signs say > “Two-axled vehicles: 2000 dinars > Multi-axled trucks: 1000 dinars per axle > Tanks, APCs, HMMWVs, and other invasion vehicles: US$1000 per axle or track wheel. In cash.” \*\* Reminds me of Burning Saddles. ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/52 "2003-03-19T22:44:11Z")
tongue in cheek news report. Saddam to use income from toll to buy seaside condo in antartica. The only place where this war can’t catch up to him. ---
**Author:** ![djbdjb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@djbdjb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/djbdjb)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/53 "2003-03-20T00:32:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Reminds me of Burning Saddles. \*\* Perhaps that is the translated title in Arabic, but it originally ran in the U.S. under the title **Blazing** Saddles ---
**Author:** ![Truth\_Seeker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Truth\_Seeker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truth_Seeker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317/54 "2003-03-20T17:37:13Z")
With respect to the OP: > [@](#): > > \*\*Johnson said his orders were to turn back any Iraqi soldiers who attempt to cross into Kuwait to surrender, because the Kuwaiti government does not want to host any prisoner of war facilities. > > The 2nd Brigade commander, Perkins, 44, of Keene, N.H., said U.S. forces would build a POW camp in Iraqi territory to handle those soldiers who surrender. \*\* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61526-2003Mar20.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61526-2003Mar20.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-iraqi-soldiers-allowed-to-surrender/162317.md?page=2)