Question about tatics and Iraq

[Desslok]

Why would the Iraqi's want to meet us in the desert? We totally outclass them, if thye were smart(no one ever accused them of this) they would pull back into the cities and make us come in and root them out. IF that does happen I wonder if the military has thought of doing a seige. Cut off all water/power/food and make broadcasts to the people that it can all end if they force the people loyal to Saddam out for us to pick up.

 

[Alistar7]

Good question, I'm sure they have plans and counterplans for every possible scenario though. We already control the air, communtications would come next, then we would take out any heavy equipment and artillery they have. Getting TO Bagdahd won't be a problem, not sure of their approach once there. We could fly in the French, their stench might drive the Iraq people away, but they would probably strike lucrative deals for Iraqi hygeine products. From what I have read those that have stayed SAY they will fight, but I doubt there will be that much resistance. Don't forget though that owning a gun is legal there, most citizens do, and they have been stockpiling weapons and ammo themselves. The republican guard will more than likely help defend the capital as well, that will make our job a bit easier. We will have the ability to claim all munitions were fired directly at those targets, but we can use this to soften up the whole city realistically. Your idea of a siege isn't a bad one, however if Saddam is not there it seems pointless. I expect him to run and hide, even if it's only 200ft below Bagdahd. An ordinary citizen will not be able to get to him. Our best hope is that someone close and supposedly loyal to Saddam will take him out for us, a very likely scenario.

 

[LH]

Why would the Iraqi's want to meet us in the desert?

Saddam is just trying to sacrifice them. But honestly do you think they are going to fight? This is the main army, an amry that Saddam does not trust. My bet they will surrender once the war starts if not as you said we will outclass them by steamrolling them into the ground. This will be an easy war, possibly the easiest in modern times.

 

[Fencer128]

There's nothing to say things won't change - troops might move back to Baghdad if Saddam has a good think about it. I don't know - but speculation that the war will be over quickly, relatively easily and will happen in a prescribed manner is very dangerous IMHO. The history of war has taught me that war is always unpredictable. To assume otherwise is to be overconfident.

Andy

 

[rudder]

Moving Iraqi troops to the southern part of the country will be pure suicide with zero air cover. My take is that Saddam is resigned to relying on his most loyal troops. He knows deep down that he can not win this fight, but will try to make himself look good by withdrawing to a urban setting and make the U.S. come get him. Short of chemical weapons flying around, this scenario will result in the highest U.S. casualties and highest Iraqi civilian casualties. In that respect maybe he thinks he can win this thing.

 

[Desslok]

Even if he did use chemical weapons it would be interesting to see how effect they were. Delierving the right amount at the right place at the right time is no easy task and with control of the air we have taken away the means of delivery that he used on the Kurds and I think on Iran.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

But why doesnt he have SAM's? If I were him and could not afford a decent air force of any kind I would probably have a few hundred SAM batteries to keep air off of me as much as possible....

 

[rudder]

The U.S. and British have been bombing SAM sites as well as communications sites for quite some time. They already operate at a greatly reduced functionality. Once war breaks out, the remaining SAM capabilities of the Iraqis won't last long.