| Iraq Goes on War Footing, Divides Into Four Areas
Sat March 15, 2003 05:33 PM ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq went on war footing on Saturday night when the leadership issued a decree dividing the country into four military districts under the command of President Saddam Hussein.
"The Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) issued a decree today that forms four regional leaderships under President Saddam Hussein to take the necessary steps to repulse and destroy any foreign aggression...and securing the domestic front," the state Iraqi News Agency (INA) said.
The decree, numbered 61 and signed by Saddam, divides Iraq into four districts: northern Iraq, southern Iraq, central Iraq, and Baghdad and other areas to the north including Tikrit.
It appoints Saddam's eldest son Qusay, supervisor of the elite Revolutionary Guards, in charge of Baghdad and some other central areas.
The other leaders of the regions are: RCC's Deputy Chairman Izzat Ibrahim for northern Iraq, RCC member Ali Hassan al-Majid for southern Iraq and RCC member Mizban Khodr al-Hadi for the central Euphrates area.
It said every military chief would have under his command several armed forces divisions and Baath Party militia branches.
"Each command of a region is in charge of defense affairs within its geographic boundaries and to lead and use all the financial, human, (Baath) party organization, the people and military division to confront any foreign aggression aimed at Iraq's sovereignty, independence and security as well as maintaining internal security," the decree said.
The decree said the air force, air defense units and surface-to-surface missile units would remain under the direct command of Saddam. | |
