Saddam's Republican Guard Key in Battle of Baghdad
Steve Brown
Key Life Radio Host and Bible Teacher
(CNSNews.com) - Conflicting reports swirled Wednesday around the movements of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard. Some mentioned that a 1,000-vehicle convoy carrying members of the Republican Guard was heading south from Baghdad in the direction of U.S. Marines. A Pentagon spokesman discounted those reports. However, Saddam's elite forces will surely present the stiffest test for allied troops seeking to topple the Iraqi dictator's regime.
"The Republican Guard has some 60,000 to 70,000 men," according to Anthony H. Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, whose recent paper is titled, Saddam's Last Circle: The Core Forces Likely to Protect Saddam in the "Battle of Baghdad."
"[The Republican Guard] is under the supervision of (Saddam's son) Qusay Hussein and is commanded by Staff General Ibrahim Abdel Satter Muhammed al Tikriti," Cordesman wrote.
He stated that significant elements of the Republican Guard could be defeated or paralyzed before they retreated into the defenses of greater Baghdad. Some elements could defect, and Cordesman believes it is more likely that those willing to fight in Saddam's final circle will be individual brigades, regiments and battalions rather than entire divisions.
Republican Guard
According to Cordesman, the Republican Guard includes the Northern or 1st Corps, which has historically acted to defend against Iran and Turkey, operate against the Kurds and defend the greater Baghdad area and Tikrit.
Cordesman said the Southern or 2nd Corps of the Republican Guard has historically helped defend in the south and would be utilized against any U.S.-led attack. It has also acted to suppress Shiite uprisings.
The al Madina al Munawara Armored Division plays a key role in defending the outer Baghdad area, Cordesman pointed out. It has three brigades: 2nd and 10th Armored and 14th Mechanized. Its other forces include the Nebuchadnezzer Infantry Division at Al Husseinia-al Kutt and the Hamurabi Mechanized Division in the al-Taji area.
Special Republican Guard
"It is the Special Republican Guard, however, that provides protection and defense within the city," Cordesman stated. "The Special Republican Guard (SRG) has four infantry/motorized brigades with 14 battalions, an armored brigade and an air defense command with elements to secure Baghdad's ground-based air defenses against any coup attempt."
Cordesman noted that the SRG protects presidential sites and escorts Saddam Hussein on travels within Iraq. It has a total active strength of about 12,000 to 15,000, but some sources claim it can mobilize 20,000 to 25,000. It is the only force stationed in central Baghdad and in the Republican Palace.
"British intelligence reports that it has played a role in securing WMD (weapons of mass destruction) warheads and maintains control of a few launchers," Cordesman wrote.
The SRG consists of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Brigades, along with the Air Defense Command.
According to Cordesman's paper, the 1st Brigade has five battalions, including ones stationed in the Republican palace and at Saddam International Airport. Additional battalions, including plainclothes units, are assigned to protect Saddam while he is in transit and are assigned to guard other palaces and facilities.
The 2nd Brigade, he wrote, has combat-experienced elements outside Baghdad and in the Mosul area in northern Iraq. Its functions include protecting Saddam's palace in Makhool in the Beiji area north of Baghdad; protecting the palaces in the Mosul area; guarding the approaches to Baghdad from the direction of Taji; guarding the approaches to Baghdad from the direction of Salam Pak and Kut; and assisting the western defenses of Baghdad.
The 3rd Brigade, according to Cordesman, defends Taji and the approaches to Baghdad; serves as a rapid reaction combat force; protects the palaces and road approaches in the Tharthar area; protects Baghdad from the north and northwest; and reinforces the defense of Baghdad in the direction of Taji.
The 4th Brigade defends the southern outskirts of Baghdad. It has two regiments with T-72 tanks and BMP-1 and BMP-2 armored fighting vehicles. The 4th Armored brigade provides armored forces to defend the major entrance points to the city, Cordesman explained.
Finally, the Air Defense Command has two regiments and three independent batteries. The First Regiment defends the International Airport and has elements near Tharthar Lake and Radwaniyah. The Second Regiment defends key locations in Baghdad. The batteries cover key locations near Door, Tikrit and Kirkuk.
"The SRG, Republican Guard and security forces are trained for urban warfare and to put down uprisings," Cordesman wrote. "The Republican Guard units never broke during the (1991) Gulf War, and the army's regular armored, mechanized, and commando/special forces units have generally fought with considerable determination when ordered to do so."
E-mail a news tip to Steve Brown.
Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.
