More Iraq Chemical Weapon Worries

Battlefield intelligence increasingly points to the possibility the Iraqis might use chemical weapons, U.S. officials say, although American and British troops apparently have not found any of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's alleged deadly agents in their search.

Iraqi troops have been spotted between U.S. and Iraqi lines wearing full chemical outfits, hoods, gloves and boots, U.S. officials familiar with military planning and intelligence said. This gear would allow them to survive on a battlefield where chemical weapons were employed.

Some were also seen unloading 50-gallon drums off trucks. U.S. intelligence is unsure what is in the drums, but officials are concerned.

The officials noted that, separately, U.S. intelligence has determined that Iraqi troops are carrying antidotes for chemical attacks.

These two disclosures have raised fears of a chemical attack on U.S. troops, who have been told to be ready to don chemical gear on a moment's notice.

Chemical-protective suits have been found at other battle sites taken by U.S. forces. However, those forces have not reported finding any chemical weapons in their push toward Baghdad.

The information comes as U.S. and British forces continue to bomb units of Iraq's Republican Guard, which U.S. intelligence believes are most likely to be equipped with chemical weapons intended for battlefield use.

These include artillery shells and rockets that can hit targets within a few dozen miles.

Saddam Hussein has arrayed most of his Republican Guard units around Baghdad, the capital, officials say. Of his six divisions — each numbering between 10,000 and 12,000 troops — three encircle Baghdad.

A fourth is mostly at Tikrit, Saddam's hometown, to the north of Baghdad; a fifth is farther north to oppose the Kurds; a sixth is at Kut, southeast of Baghdad.

The units' stockpiles are believed to include sarin, cyclosarin and VX, as well as World War I-era mustard gas, U.S. officials said.

The Iraqi forces are most likely to fire chemical warheads to cover their retreat or to put down an internal uprising, officials speculate.