Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

US builds up forces for winter campaign

Rupert Cornwell
Wednesday 18 September 2002 00:00 BST
Comments

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.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in