About 30 Iraqi troops, including a general, surrendered today to US forces of the 3rd Infantry Division as they overtook huge installation apparently used to produce chemical weapons in An Najaf, some 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Baghdad.
Asked to confirm 's exclusive coverage of this development, US Lt. Gen. John Abizaid, Deputy Commander of Central Command, told reporters: "I'm not going to confirm that report, but we have one or two generals officers who are providing us with information."
One soldier was lightly wounded when a booby-trapped explosive went off as he was clearing the sheet metal-lined chemical weapons production facility.
The huge 100-acre complex, which is surrounded by a electrical fence, is perhaps the first illegal chemical plant to be uncovered by US troops in their current mission in Iraq. The surrounding barracks resemble an abandoned slum.
It wasn't immediately clear exactly which chemicals were being produced here, but clearly the Iraqis tried to camouflage the facility so it could not be photographed aerially, by swathing it in sand-cast walls to make it look like the surrounding desert.
The captured general would know the difference.Originally posted by Marcus
It might be a bit premature to get to excited about it though. Initial reports have a habit of getting 'clarifed' later on. I wonder if the troops that found this are qualified to tell the difference between a chemical plant and a chemical weapons plant.
I doubt if they would screw up over something like this. It seems that they have also captured the General who was in charge of the factory. And, unlike most chemical plants that can be easily used/converted for weapons production, it seems that this establishment was solely for weapons manufacture.Originally posted by Marcus
It might be a bit premature to get to excited about it though. Initial reports have a habit of getting 'clarifed' later on.
Originally posted by Marcus
It might be a bit premature to get to excited about it though. Initial reports have a habit of getting 'clarifed' later on. I wonder if the troops that found this are qualified to tell the difference between a chemical plant and a chemical weapons plant.
Originally posted by Kerazee
tbh m8 any chemical plant is generally capable of creating chemicals for use in weapons. All the equiptment used is the same - it just depends on what it is used for.
The army may not have screwed up though. If they reported it as a 'suspected' weapons factory and the press got a bit over-enthusiastic at the notion of such a hot story, and mitted the suspected, then .......Originally posted by 2blue4u
I doubt if they would screw up over something like this. It seems that they have also captured the General who was in charge of the factory. And, unlike most chemical plants that can be easily used/converted for weapons production, it seems that this establishment was solely for weapons manufacture.
Maybe. He may just be aware there is a chemical plant there, but not the details of what goes on there.Originally posted by Sleepy
The captured general would know the difference.
But he already has a track record of having used them. A fact so often conveniently skirted around by some.Originally posted by dirtydog
Having weapons and having an intent to use them are two different things altogether.
There is not much point having a weapon if you have no intent to use it. The only question is what circumstances you would use it under. As en example, the UK's possession of a nuclear deterrrent. To be effective, people have to believe you will use it - if the right need arises (like as a response to a nuclear attack).Originally posted by dirtydog
I still don't believe the war is just though. Having weapons and having an intent to use them are two different things altogether.
Originally posted by 2blue4u
But he already has a track record of having used them. A fact so often conveniently skirted around by some.
Unattributted Senior Pentagon Official confirmed story to Fox news and hence to Sky NewsOriginally posted by Sleepy
Sky News
Interviewing US journalist at the pentagon who is refuting Sky News line that the pentagon has confirmed the Jerusalem Post story. Which has originated from its embedded journalist with 3ID
It could be a plant producing rocket fuel - or something else that is likely to be a legitimate military target, but not a chemical weapons plant.Originally posted by LizardKing
True but why would you need to "camouflarge" a general chemical plant.