US warplanes target Saddam’s birthplace as potential stronghold

ALLIED warplanes and special forces were yesterday targeting Tikrit, Saddam Hussein’s birthplace and stronghold.

Airstrikes against the Republican Guard barracks and command and control centre were made to soften up defences in and around the city before ground troops move in. The US 4th Infantry Division is expected to advance on the city from Kuwait.

Maj Gen Victor Renuart, speaking at Central Command in Qatar, said: “It is a potential stronghold for the regime and we will continue to increase our emphasis on Tikrit.”

He refused to confirm suggestions the US may end hostilities quickly by using the 21,000lb MOAB, the (Mother of all Bombs), at Tikrit.

“That would be up to the commanders on the ground,” he said.

In western Iraq, near Syria, US forces have been involved in intense fighting around the border town of al-Qaim which was the biggest site for surface-to- surface missiles in the 1991 Gulf War.

Military chiefs fear Saddam could fire ballistic missiles at neighbouring countries from the area. Special Republican Guards, para- militaries and some regular army units have continued to fight there.

Maj Gen Renuart said: “Those forces have been significantly reduced over the last week or two and we can begin to control that area more freely.”

He said he did not know if Saddam and his sons Uday and Qusai were in Tikrit.

“I don’t know if they are alive or dead,” he said.