(ABC News) U.S. officials fear that once President Bush signals the U.S. is headed to war, Saddam Hussein will strike pre-emptively. Specific new evidence indicates that Iraqi activity in the western desert shows the strong likelihood Scud missiles are hidden there. Detailed new intelligence from the southern Iraqi oil fields shows that many of the 700 wells have now been wired with explosives, connected to a central command post, so Saddam could easily set the wells ablaze. Recent surveillance indicates Iraqi artillery batteries have been moved dangerously close to Kuwait, where 135,000 U.S. troops are now stationed. The artillery is capable of firing shells filled with poison gas. The U.S. is now considering moving against all three of these targets before any war begins in an effort to prevent Saddam from acting first, sources said.
2003-03-14 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive