The Hindu : U.S. presses tanks into Tikrit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003

International

International

U.S. presses tanks into Tikrit

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA Nov. 17. Faced with mounting casualties inflicted by the growing Iraqi resistance, the U.S. occupation forces, in a show of strength, pushed tanks and troop carriers on the streets of the guerilla stronghold of Tikrit, a few hours after the Al Arabiya television channel aired an audio statement, purportedly by the former Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, exhorting Iraqis to wage war against the Americans and their local supporters.

"Fighting them (occupation forces)...is a legitimate, patriotic and humanitarian duty and the occupiers have no choice but to leave our country...as cursed losers,'' the tape said.

The statement claimed as that of Mr. Hussein is the first to be aired in two months. It follows a wave of successful attacks by Iraqi resistance, capped by the crash of two Black Hawk helicopters on Saturday, in which at least 17 U.S. soldiers were killed.

A rocket-propelled grenade apparently hit one of the helicopters, which then swerved from its flight path and slammed into another chopper causing the twin-crash.

A roadside bomb in the restive northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Sunday wounded five American soldiers, the U.S. military spokesman said.

With Iraqi resistance fighters attacking with greater sophistication, the U.S. occupation forces, for the first time since the war was officially declared over on May 1, fired satellite guided missiles on an alleged guerilla training camp on Sunday.

On Monday, M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers rolled through the streets of Mr. Hussein's hometown, Tikrit, and fully armed infantry soldiers stood prominently at street corners.

U.S. soldiers have during this month resumed using weapons of war, including 500-pound bombs, mortars and missiles.

The U.S. occupation authorities have outlined their "exit strategy", revolving around the handover of political power to an Iraqi transitional government in June next year.

Analysts point out that the U.S. side was desperately trying to capture or kill Mr. Hussein so that a face-saving formula to stage a complete U.S. withdrawal could be evolved.

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