Loyalty of Iraq’s elite in doubt
Republican guard units kept out of Baghdad : Loyalty of Saddam’s elite troops in doubt
…President Saddam cannot be sure of the Guard’s loyalties, according to a non-Iraqi source with well-placed contacts in Baghdad. “It’s touch and go who they fight for,” said the source, who asked not to be identified.
“The officer corps in the Republican Guard are highly trained and motivated, but they hate Saddam Hussein. They also hate the United States. They have a political mind of their own and there’s no way Saddam will let them come with their armour into the centre of town.”