The thousands of Arab soldiers camped in the desert are training with tanks, anti-aircraft weapons and gas masks for possible battle with Iraq, Saudi officials said Saturday.
For the first time since Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2, the Saudi government escorted reporters to the border area to see Saudi, Egyptian and Moroccan troops in the field. Military officials said Syrians and troops from other Persian Gulf countries also are deployed in the joint Arab command, but reporters were not taken to their outposts."They are on alert to either move forward, stay or pull back here to prepare to defend the border," said a major general who commands a joint Saudi-Gulf Cooperation Council Force of more than 10,000 men.
The Arab force is significant because it is the first time soldiers have united against another Arab country, Iraq.
"I am defending the Saudi Arabian territory regardless of who the offender is because it is a holy land," said an Egyptian colonel. Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest shrines at Mecca and Medina. The Egyptian said he was taking orders from the Saudis.
Saudi troops make up the front line of defense, while forces from other nations are further back. Americans are not in the same area, military officials said.
Saudi officials escorted journalists to within 18 miles of the border on condition they not reveal exact locations or the commanders' full names.
The major general said Arab troops were about 36 miles from the closest Iraqi troops, but they hadn't spotted any movements. "The Iraqis are in a defensive posture," he general force said.
"Our morale is high," a lieutenant colonel said. If attacked, "we will keep fighting until victory or martyrdom."
Compared to American units, the Saudis' camp seemed more homelike. The main tent at each camp was covered with a nylon Persian rug. Instead of packaged meals, the men ate a rice and lamb stew and grapes for lunch.
"I told you logistics were not a problem here," said one Saudi. "Pepsi here, Kleenex here, cigarettes here."