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Saddamjugend joins battle in Baghdad
Teenage Iraqis have said they are prepared to fight to the death to defend their city. Iraqi tanks, armoured personnel carriers and artillery have been deployed in the capital, some supported by young volunteers. Baghdad's heavy weapons are facing the western, southern and northern entrances that US forces are believed most likely to use. "I am not afraid to die," said 16-year-old Thamer Mekki.Good thing, isn't it? The fifth-former, interviewed wearing jeans and a T-shirt, said he learned how to shoot a gun at the age of 14. "I am doing this for my country," he added, standing guard in the upmarket Mansour district. No doubt Mom will miss you... The teenage volunteers are bolstered by some more seasoned fighters. During their first incursion into the city yesterday, the Americans came under intense fire from the Republican Guard. The Guard opened up with infantry small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. But they are also armed with T-72 tanks - a harder-hitting tank than the elderly T-55s and T-62s which have been encountered so far. But they pop just about the same... Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-04-06 |
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