MIDDLE EAST BRIEF

File: 062096_cia_72259_72259_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 1
Subject: MIDDLE EAST BRIEF

Not Finally Evaluated Intelligence







TO FACILITATE ELECTRONIC ACCESS, THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN

REFORMATTED TO ELIMINATE INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT PERTAIN

TO GULF WAR ILLNESS ISSUES OR THAT IS CLASSIFIED. A COPY OF

THIS REDACTED DOCUMENT, IN ORIGINAL FORMAT, IS AVAILABLE ON

REQUEST.







PAGE 001

TOT:          FEB 91







SUBJECT:  MIDDLE EAST BRIEF

CONTENTS



1. IRAQ-KUWAIT:  SITUATION REPORT







1. IRAQ-KUWAIT:  SITUATION REPORT

THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP CALLED PUBLICLY FOR ITS ARMED FORCES TO

WITHDRAW FROM KUWAIT. BUT THERE IS NO REPORTING THAT SUCH A

WITHDRAWAL IS ACTUALLY UNDER WAY. MEANWHILE. BAGHDAD LAUNCHED AT

LEAST TWO MORE MODIFIED SCUDS, ONE OF WHICH BROKE UP ON REENTRY OVER

DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA, AND FELL ON A US BARRACKS, CAUSING NUMEROUS

CASUALTIES.







PAGE 002

TOT:          FEB 91







SCUD LAUNCHES



IRAQ LAUNCHED AT LEAST TWO MORE MODIFIED SCUDS YESTERDAY

BEFORE AND ANOTHER AT ABOUT THE TIME OF BAGHDAD'S RADIOBROADCAST

ANNOUNCING SADDAM'S INTENT TO WITHDRAW FROM KUWAIT. AT APPROXIMATELY

1230 EST. IRAQ LAUNCHED A SINGLE SCUD FROM AN AREA NORTHWEST OF AL

BASRAH TOWARD DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA.

THE SCUD BROKE UP ON REENTRY, AND THE

WARHEAD FELL DIRECTLY ON A BARRACKS HOUSING US SOLDIERS, CAUSING

NUMEROUS CASUALTIES.



SOME FIVE HOURS LATER, IRAQ FIRED ANOTHER SCUD

TOWARD QATAR.

BAHRAINI FORCES MAY HAVE DOWNED IT. ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS. IRAQ

NOW HAS LAUNCHED AT LEAST SEVEN SCUDS SINCE THE COALITION GROUND

ASSAULT BEGAN: AT SAUDI ARABIA, TWO AT ISRAEL, AND ONE AT

QATAR.



CHEMICAL WEAPONS



BAGHDAD PROBABLY HAS AVOIDED CHEMICAL WEAPONS BECAUSE THEY

CANNOT RELIABLY TARGET A COALITION UNIT. THE SITUATION IS SO FLUID

THAT IRAQI COMMANDERS ARE UNCERTAIN WHERE TO USE THE WEAPONS AND

CANNOT GET ADEQUATE TARGETING INFORMATION. IRAQI FROG MISSILES HAVE

HIT THEIR OWN UNITS. THE IRAQIS PROBABLY WILL NEXT REVIEW THE OPTION

OF EMPLOYING CHEMICAL WEAPONS WHEN THEY CONSIDER WHETHER TO COMMIT

REPUBLICAN GUARD FORCES TO BATTLE.







1.5 (c)

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