20/03/2003
Irish soldiers prepare for action
Soldiers from Ireland, who are among those set to spearhead the land invasion of Iraq, are making last-minute preparations in the encampments along the Kuwaiti border.
The Royal Irish Regiment and Irish Guards, comprising about 650 troops, have now taken up their final positions for invasion. It is thought that the main bulk of the British force will move on the port city of Basra.
Addressing his troops this morning, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins, commander of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish, called for his men to be fierce in battle but "magnanimous" in victory.
It is thought that the ground offensive will begin within the next 48 hours following the opening salvo of targeted missile strikes against leading members of the Iraqi military and ruling Ba'ath Party this morning. The air-war proper has now got under way.
US President George Bush gave the go-ahead for strikes after intelligence sources claimed to have pinpointed Saddam Hussein's location. The first explosion rocked Baghdad at around 2.30am (GMT) and has continued intermittently throughout the night. A state broadcast purportedly by Saddam Hussein at 5.30am (GMT) called for Iraqis to "put the invaders to the sword". It is not clear when the statement was recorded.
There were also reports of Scud missiles being fired at northern Kuwait and artillery exchanges between Iraqi and US positions along the Kuwaiti border.
(GMcG)
The Royal Irish Regiment and Irish Guards, comprising about 650 troops, have now taken up their final positions for invasion. It is thought that the main bulk of the British force will move on the port city of Basra.
Addressing his troops this morning, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins, commander of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish, called for his men to be fierce in battle but "magnanimous" in victory.
It is thought that the ground offensive will begin within the next 48 hours following the opening salvo of targeted missile strikes against leading members of the Iraqi military and ruling Ba'ath Party this morning. The air-war proper has now got under way.
US President George Bush gave the go-ahead for strikes after intelligence sources claimed to have pinpointed Saddam Hussein's location. The first explosion rocked Baghdad at around 2.30am (GMT) and has continued intermittently throughout the night. A state broadcast purportedly by Saddam Hussein at 5.30am (GMT) called for Iraqis to "put the invaders to the sword". It is not clear when the statement was recorded.
There were also reports of Scud missiles being fired at northern Kuwait and artillery exchanges between Iraqi and US positions along the Kuwaiti border.
(GMcG)
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