Radical military tactics attempt to “decapitate” Iraqi leadership

THE first strikes against Iraq illustrate a radical new form of military thinking, a defence expert said yesterday.

Describing the action as a “decapitation exercise”, US officials said the campaign was aimed directly at the Iraqi leadership and based on intelligence concerning their specific location.

Jeremy Binnie, Middle East editor of Jane’s Sentinel Security Assessment, said he had believed that thousands of cruise missiles would be used in the first few hours rather than just 40.