Troops involved in an invasion of Iraq will have a number of key targets as well as a wide variety of hurdles to overcome. Here we highlight the main aspects of a new Gulf war and how the conflict may unfold

THE INVASION

A WAVE of 700 cruise missiles will bombard Iraq within hours of the green light for war from the White House.
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Urban fighting is expected to be particularly brutal.

If defeat seems inevitable, Saddam and his inner circle could unleash chemical, biological or even nuclear weapons as a final defiant gesture.

The death toll could reach four million if the conflict turns nuclear.

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The Jerusalem Army were raised by Saddam two years ago as a sign of solidarity with the Palestinian intifada, but have now expanded into a civilian defence force.

Most fighters have had two months of basic military training.

Many in their ranks are outside the usual fighting age - men with balding heads toting vintage rifles, 12- year-old boys from the local military academy and schoolgirls in trainers.

But they also boast suicide bombers with dynamite and grenades strapped to their chests.
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THE World Health Organisation predict 110,000 Iraqis will die, 100,000 be wounded and 400,000 struck down by disease after the invasion.

Cholera and dysentery will spread rapidly as water and sewage plants are left without power and food distribution is disrupted.

If the war lasts for three months, UN agencies believe 30 per cent of Iraq's children under five "would be at risk of death from malnutrition".

Almost a million Iraqis are expected to flee to Iran and another two million will be displaced within Iraq.

Kuwait, Syria, Jordan and Turkey also expect a flood of refugees.

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