"Several thousand Iraqis began military training last Saturday to enable them to fight alongside Palestinians in their uprising against Israel." So reported Reuters this week, quoting the Iraqi News Agency INA. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, in an open letter to his subjects on February 17, ordered the formation of 21 military divisions.
"The first group of volunteers went on Saturday to training camps in Baghdad and the provinces after an appeal by President Saddam Hussein to fight for the liberation of Palestine and al- Quds from the racist Zionist occupation," INA said. According to official figures, nearly seven million Iraqis have volunteered to fight with the Palestinians against Israel.
INA also quoted Saddam as urging Arab leaders to "render financial support as quickly as possible to the Palestinian uprising." Saddam made his appeal during a meeting with top Iraqi leaders including Vice-Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council Izzat Ibrahim, Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan and Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz. Hussein decided to set up the new army divisions a day after U.S. and British warplanes raided targets near Baghdad.
"The first group of volunteers went on Saturday to training camps in Baghdad and the provinces after an appeal by President Saddam Hussein to fight for the liberation of Palestine and al- Quds from the racist Zionist occupation," INA said. According to official figures, nearly seven million Iraqis have volunteered to fight with the Palestinians against Israel.
INA also quoted Saddam as urging Arab leaders to "render financial support as quickly as possible to the Palestinian uprising." Saddam made his appeal during a meeting with top Iraqi leaders including Vice-Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council Izzat Ibrahim, Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan and Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz. Hussein decided to set up the new army divisions a day after U.S. and British warplanes raided targets near Baghdad.