March 18, 2003, 0126hrs MSK (GMT
+3), Moscow - According to the information received from one of
the Russian Defense Ministry's radio intercept units, certain
aspects of the planned military operation against Iraq were
uncovered by the Russian military intel. During one of the
radio communications between Kurd troops information was
intercepted indicating that during the next 48 hours there
may be a large-scale airdrop of US troops in Kurd-controlled
northern Iraq.
Information obtained from additional sources shows that
Turkey's refusal to permit a large number of US ground
troops on its territory threw into turmoil the US plans
for invading Iraq from the north. However, after a further
analysis of the situation, the US command concluded that
Turkey's refusal creates a possibility for an element of
surprise in the US attack from the north.
Radio intercepts of Kurdish and some Turkish sources allow
for a reasonable conclusion that with the beginning of
the military operation the US will rely on Turkey's permission
to use its airspace to transport between 18,000-22,000
troops in two days to Northern Kurdistan. This fast-response
group of forces will form the core of the northern attack
force.
It is believed that by the end of the fifth day of the
war this attack group will be able to initiate full-scale
combat operations against the Iraqi forces. In their advance
from the north the US forces are expected to make full
use of the Kurdish troops and the sympathetic local population.
In connection with these plans some 300 British Commandos
from the 22-nd SAS regiment have been already deployed
to the Kurdish-controlled territories. These troops are
conducting reconnaissance of the Iraqi forces deployed
in the region, organizing cooperation between the Kurdish
forces and the US and British commanders in the region,
and preparing landing sites for the upcoming drops of airborne
troops.
Communication specialists and electronic equipment already
have been delivered to Northern Kurdistan along with "Patriot" surface-to-air
missile systems and are ready to support the air drop of
troops.
(source: iraqwar.ru, 03-18-03, translated by Venik)
