US forces use schools for cover
By Russell Skelton in northern Iraq
April 4 2003

United States special forces have taken up strategic positions in three secondary schools located in a densely populated residential area of a city in northern Iraq.

The schools, which have been closed since the war began, are located near a prominent Christian church and within 200 metres of a United Nations complex.

The decision to locate the special forces in a residential area appears to run counter to US policy. The Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, recently criticised Iraq for placing key military units and weaponry in and around mosques, hospitals and schools in both Baghdad and Basra.

The decision also appears to be a departure from US policy in northern Iraq. Thousands of paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade have been deliberately located well away from any population centres.

For security reasons the name of the city will not be published. But yesterday I observed four Humvees equipped with mortars, missiles and .50 calibre machine-guns unloading men and equipment at a girls' secondary school. Soldiers entered the school through a side entrance.

The special forces had their faces covered and appeared to be returning from a mission. The vehicles were dusty and heavily laden with weaponry.

When I attempted to approach the soldiers, local security forces intervened, saying that the street was off limits to the media and that photography was banned.

This week big cities were put on high security alert after Iraq proclaimed it had 4000 Arab volunteers ready to carry out suicide bombings.

Kurdish residents, who confirmed the exact location of special forces units, are furious at the decision to locate them in their midst but are afraid to speak out. They believe the special forces will be targeted by suicide bombers and the Iraqi armed forces.

It is understood residents have been warned by Kurdish Democratic Party officials to say nothing and not to draw attention to the special forces.