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Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey: Hey, Theolein: Yesterday, we were discussing the restraint in tactics obviously being used by the coalition forces. I don't recall which thread that was in, but I thought you might be interested in this in today's Telegraph, so I'll post it here. It discusses the frustration the troops are experiencing not being allowed to use heavy weapons, and the way the Iraqis are using civilian clothes to blend in with the civilian population (another war crime, by the way). In particular, this struck me: And also this passage: Anyway, an interesting (if disturbing) read. |
Thanks for the link and the quote Simey. It rhymes with at least some of the images that I've seen of armed Iraqis in civillian clothes. It is also typical of Saddam and his baboons. I've read a bit about the Fedayeen, and they seem to be nothing more than your run of the mill death squad, experts at terrifying civilians and nothing else. I think on the one hand it was obvious that Saddam would resort to tactics like this, but on the other it really does testify to the absolute brutality of his goons when one sees how fearful the people are of him, even after the Allies have arrived.
I was and am against this war because I really hate suffering and death (I have seen quite a bit in my life) but also because I worry that the aftermath of the war will cause more problems than there were before. But seeing and reading the absolute brutatlity of Saddam and his dickwads, I really hope this gets over with quickly. I realise that using guerrilla tactics is Saddams only vaguely effective tactic in the face of the overwhelming superiority of the Allied forces, but the consequences for the Iraqi population are obvious and highly frustrating (containment, lack of aid and medical supplies etc).
There was an interview on French TV last night (they actually have first class reporting, I must say. Not pro one or the other and very in depth looks at the whole situation in the middle east as regards politcs, Islam and oil - very interesting and pointed interviews with heads of French, British and Arab oil companies) where they interviewed about twenty members of the council of 65, the Iraqi opposition. One of those 65, an ex Iraqi head of military inteeligence was pointedly asked if it was possible that he had blood on his hands. He then tried to get the reporters to turn of the camera and when that was refused he got incredibly abusive. Interesting, because one does ask oneself what the future government of Iraq is going to be like. I wish more people in the USA could see these reports, because it does paint a very different image of the French than has been portrayed in the US and the UK.