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US encounter with Medina Unit 'crucial,' says Blair
Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Monday that the rapid advance by US troops to Baghdad would soon be facing a crucial phase near Karbala in the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime. "They will encounter the Medina Division of the Republican Guard, who are defending the route to Baghdad. This will plainly be a crucial moment," he said. Blair was addressing MPs on the latest development in the war against Iraq amid reports that up to 40 US helicopters were involved in the first assault on the Medina Division to 'soften' up Iraq's elite troops before the eventual battle for Baghdad. The Prime Minister warned that there was "bound to be difficult days ahead" but insisted that the war so far had gone according to plan despite the series of military setbacks. He referred to what he called the "difficulties that had arisen" and the "tragedies and the accidents" but said the UK and US "must keep sight of the bigger picture." Nothing ever goes totally according to plan. The Medes and the Persians are hoping for a U.S.-British fiasco — they weren't able to beat up Sammy in ten years. If we can beat him up in a week, that implies bad things for them... Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-03-24 |
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