IsraelWire
- As the unrest continues in Israel, the eyes of the Western community
are once again focused on the actions of Iraqi dictator Saddam
Hussein.
Israel and
the United States are carefully monitoring Iraqi troop movements
on the Iraqi border with Jordan and Syria. A senior member of
Israel’s intelligence community confirmed this on Tuesday.
The unnamed senior intelligence official acknowledged that recent
Iraqi troop movements may be harmless, but quickly added that
during the Gulf War, we saw what the Iraqi troops did to Kuwait,
adding that the Iraqi force could easily pass through Jordan to
Israel as well. IDF intelligence reports indicate the Saddam may
send combat aircraft over heavy population centers, even before
advancing ground forces. It is not expected that he would try
launching Scud missiles. It remains uncertain if he has Scuds
that remain operational, and launching of Scuds would also be
testimony that Saddam lied to UNSCOM inspectors.
According
to a report in the daily Yediot Ahronot, over past days, Israel
has been in close contract with the White House; in an effort
to thwart any Iraqi plans to perpetrate an attack against Israel.
Israel and the US have sent warnings to Hussein via intermediaries,
stating that any involvement in the current crisis between Israel
and the PLO Authority (PA) would result in a firm US military
response.
In contacts
between Israel and European allies, Israel has explained that
Saddam Hussein may attempt to take advantage of the ongoing crisis
and provoke a regional crisis involving Arab nations against Israel.
Israeli sources reminded international allies that whenever a
crisis develops involving Israel and the PA, we are reminded of
the good relations between Yassir Arafat and Saddam Hussein. Arafat
was among the few who publicly supported Saddam Hussein after
he opted to invade Kuwait.
There are
also intelligence reports that Jordan and Saudi Arabia are “very
concerned” over Iraqi troop movements, with Israeli intelligence
experts explaining the Hashemite Kingdom is “between a rock
and a hard place”. Spokesperson Nachman Shai stated on Tuesday,
“Iraq is an unpredictable nation. When Iraq exhibits signs
of nervousness, we too have reason to be concerned. Iraqi forces
are relatively far from Jordan but when the Middle East ball begins
to roll, no one knows where it will stop.”
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