US builds up forces for winter campaign
President Saddam Hussein's decision to readmit UN weapons inspectors may have bought Baghdad diplomatic breathing space. But it has not stopped America from preparing for a massive military move against Iraq as early as this winter.
The pointers abound: a switch in tactics by allied aircraft patrolling the no fly-zones, further heavy ship- ments of troops and materiel to the Gulf, big US military exercises, and movement of B-2 stealth bombers from the American mainland to Diego Garcia, 3,000 miles from Iraq.
British and US warplanes patrolling northern and southern Iraq have changed tactics, focusing fire on large, fixed, air defence installations. In practice, America and Britain are attacking Iraq's command and control system, weakening its ability to counter a big air attack.
The US Navy is said to be seeking a roll-on roll-off vessel to ship ammunition and military vehicles to the Gulf this month and next. Four giant freighters have been chartered to bring in heavy armour and helicopters.
About 25,000 troops are thought to be in the region, available to General Tommy Franks, commander of American forces in the Gulf and Afghanistan, who arrived at the US base in Qatar yesterday.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies