Anatomy of the Raid that Killed Saddam's Sons
July 23 -- The top U.S. ground commander in Iraq today described in detail the raid that killed Saddam Hussein's sons Tuesday, saying the four-hour gun battle was conducted at a "fairly measured pace" as forces surrounded the Mosul home where Odai and Qusai Hussein and two others were barricaded.
Below is a timeline of the assault as outlined by Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of ground forces in Iraq, from the moment the military received a tip about the location of the sons to the recovery of their bodies. All times are in local Mosul, Iraq time, which is currently Greenwich Mean Time plus three hours.
Monday, July 21, 2003
Evening: An Iraqi citizen walks into a U.S. military station in Mosul, Iraq, and offers information that Odai and Qusai Hussein might be located at a three-story residence in the northeastern part of the city.
NightU.S. military officials plan an assault on the house to begin by 10 a.m. the next day.
To lead the assault, military officials assign the 101st Airborne Division, an infantry company and OH-58D Kiowa attack helicopters with 2.75-inch rockets and .50-caliber machine guns. Humvees mounted with TOW antitank missiles, MK-19 grenade launchers and .50-caliber machine guns were also employed.
AH-64 Apache helicopters are prepared, as are Air Force A-10 attack planes (neither will be used).
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
10 a.m.
The 101st Airborne Division positions antitank platoons and weapon squads around the home. The forces work with local Iraqi police to establish a cordon, or line of troops, to isolate the area.
In what is called a cordon-and-knock operation, troops surround the home and an interpreter using a bullhorn knocks on the door and urges targets in the house to surrender.
10:10 a.m.
U.S. soldiers attempt to enter the house and are immediately fired upon.
Three coalition soldiers are wounded on the stairs of the house. One soldier is wounded outside the house.
U.S. forces withdraw and request additional support, including Quick Reaction Forces (forces poised to respond on very short notice) and heavy weaponry.
