Word: fedayeen
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...should have been no surprise that a regime noted for its cruelty would toss out the gentleman's guide to war by fielding irregulars like the Fedayeen Saddam. These estimated 20,000 young "men of sacrifice," commanded by the ruler's notorious older son Uday, are the regime's most politically reliable force, known for their readiness to carry out its dirty work. Beginning in 1995, Uday recruited local toughs from Sunni regions devoted to Baath rule to form a family security force under his personal control. Originally in charge of smuggling, the Fedayeen were schooled to become a ruthless...
While the Fedayeen are the most aggressive of Iraq's popular militias, an assortment of other irregulars has been dragged into the fray. Some members of the al-Quds, or Jerusalem, Army, who show off at parades and propaganda events but lack fighting credentials, have been given rifles and mustered into action. And in many cities and towns, local Baath Party faithful, who have everything to lose if the regime collapses, have joined the fight...
Pentagon officials told reporters last week that "I think we underestimated" the strength and capability of Iraq's paramilitaries. Last fall a Defense official dismissed them as insignificant, predicting, "the Fedayeen will run with their tails between their legs." If war planners worried about the paramilitaries at all, they assumed the trouble might come in Baghdad. The CIA says it distributed a classified report in early February to policymakers warning that the Fedayeen could be expected to employ guerrilla tactics against U.S. rear units. These Washington intelligence analysts now complain that their views were softened as the report moved...
...heading toward the convoy didn't stop for Talraas' raised hand, he put a few 40mm high explosive rounds from his Mark 19 across the vehicle's path. "It was just a warning shot," says the DesMoines, Iowa native. "But with all the reports of Iraqi suicide bombers and Fedayeen fighters dressing in farmer's clothes, we were being careful...
...Saddam's Iraq, Uday was in charge of the nation's Olympic committee; editor of a leading newspaper, Babel; and head of Youth TV, the country's most popular channel. He also ran a dreaded security force called Saddam Fedayeen, which lately occupied itself with beheading "dissidents" and alleged prostitutes. According to exiled colleagues--including his former press secretary Abbas al Janabi--he routinely abducted and raped women who caught his fancy...