Saddam's Soldiers Surrender

OPTIONAL777 · Mar 9, 2003

SADDAM'S SOLDIERS SURRENDER

Mar 9 2003

Mike Hamilton reports from Camp Coyote in Kuwait

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.

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.

Babak · Mar 9, 2003

I sincerely hope that the Iraqi soldiers act just as quickly when the war does start (for real). I don't think they have any reason to be killed (any more than innocent civilians) as they are controlled by Saddam through fear.

Oh, and I hope msfe/wild and others take note of this and realize that a potential war will be a matter of days/hours and not a quagmire. [sigh] But somehow I think instead our resident cut/paster will instead find a Guardian link about the evil US empire.

Here is the link btw:

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/news/page.cfm?objectid=12715943&method=full&siteid=106694

hapaboy · Mar 9, 2003

Quote from OPTIONAL777:

No one has ever known a group of so-called soldiers to surrender before a shot has been fired in anger.
More...

They must have been trained by the French.

canyonman00 · Mar 9, 2003

Quote from hapaboy:

They must have been trained by the French.
More...

Too funny, but possibly true! I am amazed that we have not identified the common threads amongst the main bunch of detractors. The French, German, and Russian governments have all had the distinction of being on the losing side of a major battle of some sort with the US. Be it actual, economic, or otherwise, they all understand the losing side of the transaction. And they're still, PISSED!

I look forward to the upcoming vote on the resolution. Afterwards I would hope Powell's statement would be along this line:

Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, the votes have been cast and we now must all govern ourselves accordingly. The US position in this matter is clear, as is our resolve, and fortunately so too our duty. Sometimes being a leader involves gathering the whole team together, spelling out the goal and leading the universal charge. Every now and again, only a majority will conceded and brace for the challenge. And understanding that the day will be long and task just a little harder, a leader must still put forth the same undaunted effort to achieve the final victory. But make no mistake, victory is still within the sight, it will be achieved.

There are those who are uncomfortable with some of the possible paths that might now be taken in this endeavor to correct the stance within the Iraqi government. Be clear, the problem that we have is not with the Iraqi peoples. We ask that you notice throughout the coming months the American efforts in our actions to always relieve the suffrage they have been placed into.

Saddam has ordered American uniforms. This is not deniable. But what he can not order is the American solider to place within them. Should you hear of unspeakable atrocities as this action now commences, take a moment and think aloud. Remember, this is the same military that you too have stood with shoulder-to-shoulder in many past battles. These are the men and women who also have compassion, honor, and resolve to complete the dangerous mission that they have been assigned with a dignity that can only come from a caring and understanding human. We tolerate, NO atrocities!

Should military actions be undertaken, we resolve to produce the things that the inspectors have not been able to. We will not only produce them, but we will come back before you to present those findings and the horrible truth that they evidence. For there is a liar amongst us. A fact that we have all been hesitant to speak of.

Saddam has stood and battled for 12+ years. Under the rules of the cease fire, we have been destroying radar installations in the no fly zone since the beginning. Now we have even been destroying these same types of radar stations in the southern region of Iraq. These radar stations are not Iraqi built. Someone here knows that, and they know that this IS a violation. And they need to tell us all, WHY?

We have heard that the Iraqi government has no weapons of mass destruction. Then we America, will be acting on the good faith and understanding that you have given us. Our French, German and Russian friends have assured America that there are "No Weapons of Mass Destruction."

Based upon that factor alone, we will make sure that our men and women in the military have the peace of mind and understanding that the word of our friends can be relied upon with the utmost confidence. There are no weapons of mass destruction that they need fear being used against them in this conflict. Know that they will take comfort in that they have the honorable word of the French, Germans and Russians on this point.

We also resolve to disclose all the information of those instances where rouge elements have provided illegal parts, supplies and materials that have been banned by the security council all these many years. We will not only disclose the materials, but also where they may have originated from. We do so to make sure that this honorable body can then identify the violators and take the necessary action to punish them for their crimes against us all.

Lastly, we do this in the name of peace. We do not seek war. We seek compliance to the rules that have been issued within this UN framework on so many occasions in the past. Saddam does not understand that the UN has spoken with the voice of America for 12+ years. For 12+ years he has decided that the UN can not speak for America.

Why do I say this? Because if he understood that America meant what it said, he would have disarmed. Saddam knows that the UN can not mobilize the American forces. He understands that you can only request that we help you to enforce your wishes.

He knows that you are a compassionate organization that is hesitant at every turn to taking ANY, harsh action that might cost the lives of even one innocent person. He understands your fear of war and the consequences that it has on the world. He knows that you are paralyzed in the discussion of compassion and the need to give every last chance - plus one more, to resolve this issue peacefully. He knows you, understand the consequences of using American military power. He knows that you have trouble and fear within your hearts to do this, and he laughs.

He watched as 9/11 came and he saw your outcry to America expressing compassion and sorrow. And he knows your weaknesses. He has studied your actions over the many years since the Gulf war and he knows your tolerance. But what Saddam does not know, is the true American resolve. Thank You!
More...

But that is only a wish!

FRuiTY PeBBLe · Mar 9, 2003

"...too early to surrender."

F. P.

KymarFye · Mar 9, 2003

Agony of mother set ablaze by Iraqis
By Julius Strauss
(Filed: 07/03/2003)

Shortly after three o'clock on a hot afternoon 37-year-old Nazif Mamik Tofik, an Iraqi Kurd, approached the border post carrying two five-gallon canisters of fuel.

She hoped to cross to the Kurdish-controlled side and sell them for a pound or two, which would help feed her eight hungry children.

Nazif Mamik Tofik whimpers with pain in Sulaimania hospital
As she stepped up to the Iraqi checkpoint, a military policeman suddenly pulled a knife, slashed open the flimsy plastic containers and splashed petrol all over her.

Then the head of the Iraqi border guard casually walked up to her, pulled a lighter from his pocket and set her ablaze. Soaked in fuel, she began to burn like a torch. That was on Monday afternoon. Yesterday Nazif lay in Sulaimania emergency hospital, on the Iraqi side, whimpering with pain.

FULL TEXT AT: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/03/07/wagon07.xml

LongShot · Mar 9, 2003

Quote from OPTIONAL777:

SADDAM'S SOLDIERS SURRENDER

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.

More...

"too early to surrender"!!

LMAO!!

BlueHorseshoe · Mar 9, 2003

Quote from LongShot:

"too early to surrender"!!

LMAO!!

More...

Too early ... according to international convention we get to take some pot shots at you first. Now start running! :eek:

Babak · Mar 10, 2003

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-12265723,00.html

msfe · Mar 10, 2003

1 more [masked] `defectorÂ´ telling the interrogator exactly what Rumsfeld wants to hear - and knew all along anyway