|
Iraq prepares missiles, aircraft, near Soddy border...
Iraq has prepared medium-range missiles and aircraft in underground shelters near the Saudi border in what could mark preparations to launch a strike against Israel. U.S. intelligence sources said Iraq has moved several dozen military aircraft to the southwest near the Saudi border. They include the French-built Mirage F-1 fighter-jets and the Czech-origin L-29 light combat aircraft. The Iraqis have deployed the aircraft in underground shelters over a large area in the desert near Jal Al Batan, the sources said. They said several of the L-29s have been converted into unmanned air vehicles that could deliver weapons of mass destruction.I don't imagine the Israelis will let any of them get through — if called upon to do so. The U.S. and Brits should be well able to take care of them before it's necessary for the IDF to scramble. The sources said the Iraqis began moving their aircraft at the end of October. The newly-deployed military assets could be used against U.S. targets in the Gulf and Israel, they said. I'd guess that the area's getting a lot of satellite time right now, so somebody probably noticed and the facilities are just another database entry — something like "TARGET: 125A PRIORITY: HIGH ASSIGNED TO..." Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2002-11-20 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=7946 |