Washington: US commanders poised to attack Iraq have "innovative, daring and
simultaneous" plans to launch lightning strikes from Kuwait and other bases to storm
into Baghdad in not more than three or four days.
"The campaign will move very fast," said one senior Air Force officer. The speed of
the attacks is intended to sap the Iraqi military's ability to co-ordinate its
response, 'The Washington Post' daily reported on March 16 quoting Pentagon
insiders.
However, aspects like dangers of "friendly fire" incidents, dependence on a 350-mile
supply line, and the heavy reliance on Special Operations troops behind enemy lines
are worrying American military planners in Kuwait, the report said.
The experts said over-hanging the entire operation is a major cause of concern
leading them to apprehend use of chemical or biological weapons by Iraq.
The fear of American forces getting bogged down in an urban battle turning Baghdad
into a modern Stalingrad lies uppermost on the minds of military strategists,
the 'Post' said.
US commanders and planners in Kuwait stay up to the small hours of the morning,
every morning, refining ways to achieve their goals with as few casualties as
possible, said the daily.
The challenges are enormous, the opportunities rife for misfortune, even
disaster. "There are a thousand 'what-ifs' going through your mind," said the
General in the field.
Strategists continue to calibrate the relationship between A-Day, when an air attack
begins to reduce Iraqi air defences and other key targets, and G-Day, the launching
of a ground attack.
PTI
