U.S. Building Forts On Iraq Border 350 plus

[donsu]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/18/iraq/main667456.shtml

-snip-

Securing these borders is a priority of Task Force NAHA, based at Camp Korean Village near the town of ar Rutbah. And at the remote Al Walid border crossing, just over two dozen Marines work with the Iraqis, overseeing their inspection of cars and trucks.

The U.S. military is also supervising a complex of 32 forts being built along the borders with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria. The Marines move the Iraqis into them as quickly as possible, because in the past the forts have been looted and destroyed before they could be manned.

-snip-

At one outpost in the so-called "Triangle," where Iraq's border meets Syria and Jordan, 50 Iraqis are manning a fort, still under construction. It sits so close to the border, Syrian soldiers are clearly visible, and come out to watch, as a convoy of Marines heads to the fort to check on the progress of the Iraqis. When the Marines arrive, the Iraqi commander asks for kerosene (for heating) and drinking water.

U.S. military officials admit supplying these outposts will be difficult and they're working with the Iraqi government to speed up deliveries. Logistics will continue to be a problem as more of the forts are built and manned.

-snip-

And when the Iraqis become more competent at their jobs, Curtin says that will not only protect U.S. forces fighting insurgents elsewhere in the country but will stabilize all of Iraq.
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insane Rummy has watched too many wild west movies.

just how fortish are these forts?


http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1073152004


Beau Geste forts to defend Iraq's borders

COALITION forces in Iraq are building a network of 350 forts along its borders in an attempt to keep out foreign terrorists and intelligence agents who they blame for inspiring the current insurgency.

Work has already started on 40 of the forts, which Britain’s most senior officer in Iraq, General John McColl, described as "like something out of Beau Geste".

The forts will be built along all of Iraq’s borders, although senior officers admit their presence is largely symbolic and will not stop anyone determined enough to cross into the country.
-snip-
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[madrchsod]

1. they too will be drowned in the sea of sand

a thousand years from now someone will discover these testaments to some great leader`s folly.

[DemoTex]

2. There is something very "French" about this ...

Forts along the Maginot Line and in Vietnam come to mind.