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26-01-2005 Scotsman Suicide bombers get ready to strike 'soft targets' in Iraq By Gethin Chamberlain in Basra TEAMS of suicide bombers are heading from Baghdad to pick off soft targets in the British-controlled south of Iraq in the run-up to the country's elections, British forces believe. Militants are also known to be crossing into Iraq from Kuwait, and there are reports of Semtex plastic explosives and other even more sophisticated weapons being smuggled across the Iranian border. British forces have been put on alert and warned to be aware of the risk posed by suicide bombers ahead of the country's first democratic elections on Sunday. Troops involved in policing the 80-mile border with Kuwait have mounted operations to attempt to stop terrorists crossing into the country, but some are believed to have managed to breach the defensive ditches and electric fences. Soldiers serving with UK forces in Basra say they are concerned about the threat of more suicide bombings, after nine soldiers were injured in an attack on the main British base at Shaibah, near Basra, last week. Suicide attacks on British troops based at Camp Dogwood in central Iraq last year led to a change in tactics. British officers say the Sunni terrorists behind the attacks are becoming more professional, and although they still operate predominantly in and around Baghdad, they are increasingly capable of moving further afield to mount operations. One officer said yesterday there had been reports of more attempts to move suicide-bomb teams south towards Basra, and soldiers said they believed Basra was now seen as a softer target. British forces have been heavily involved in securing Iraq's borders with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran, working with Iraq's Department of Border Enforcement to plug many of the gaps. Major Alan Richmond, the second in command of the Queen's Dragoon Guards, said that despite the army's good work there was evidence that extremists and weapons materials were still getting through. "We have done some operations against militants coming in from Kuwait," he said, though he declined to elaborate. He said that, while Iraq was already awash with guns, it was clear that more sophisticated weapons, including Semtex, were still getting in across the Iranian border. The more porous Saudi and Syrian borders also remain a cause for concern. The question of security is expected to play a significant role in turn-out for Sunday's elections, with one of the terrorists of most concern to coalition forces, al-Qaeda-linked Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, already warning that anyone going to the polls to vote is putting their life on the line. But at Shalamacheh yesterday, the only official border crossing into Iran, people planning to vote said they would not be put off by the threats. Osama Abdul Karim, 30, from Basra, said he intended to vote for Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's coalition, despite the warnings. "I am not scared about voting. We are going to vote anyway," he said. "Iraqis are not scared of these people coming in from outside. We need the election for the future. The election must succeed."
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................................................................................................................. Copyright ©2004 Gethin Chamberlain. All rights reserved. |
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