Fed: Baghdad has even chance of falling soon - Dupont
An Australian military analyst says Iraqi armed forces are on the verge of a comprehensivemilitary defeat.
But Dr ALAN DUPONT, a director of the Australian National University's Strategic andDefence Studies Centre, says sporadic and intense fighting's likely to continue in theIraqi capital for weeks even after the military folds.
It's unknown how long elements of the militia and loyalist soldiers will continue toresist the invaders.
Coalition forces are surrounding the city to cut off any chance of escape or reinforcement.
Dr DUPONT estimates that Baghdad's elite Republican Guard defenders have already beenreduced from a force of up to 55,000 to fewer than 20,000.
He says combined with Iraqi special forces and militia, Baghdad has a force of no morethan 80,000.
AAP RTV rmg/sb/kn/jas
KEYWORD: IRAQ ANU (CANBERRA)
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