LONDON-AMMAN: American military planners are preparing to use Jordan as a base for an assault on Iraq later this year, or early in 2003, The Observer has revealed.

Though leaked Pentagon documents appear to show that Turkey, Kuwait and Qatar would play key roles, it is believed that Jordan will be the “jumping off” point for an attack that could involve up to 250,000 American troops and forces from Britain and other key US allies.

Jordan, with good roads and communications, would be perfect for the launch of an American armoured force, military analysts say. Its capital, Amman, is linked to Baghdad by a 600 mile motorway that cuts through a virtually featureless desert — perfect terrain for American tanks and high precision air-launched munitions.

Iraqi dissidents in Amman have told The Observer that hundreds of American advisers have arrived in Jordan in the last few months.

The Amman-based Iraqi National Accord (INA), which contains many key military dissidents, has held talks in Washington about plans for a strike on Iraq. They expect the US to begin with intensive bombing and missile raids launched from the Persian Gulf and Turkey, leading to a military rebellion within Saddam Hussein’s elite Republican Guard.

Eye-witnesses claim preparations are under way at the Muafaq Salti air base in Azraq, 50 miles east of Amman on the road to Baghdad. Ten days ago, the Jordanian news agency, Petra, reported that the head of the US Central Command, Gen Tommy Franks, met Jordan’s chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lt-Gen Khalid Jamil Surayrih.

News of a military build-up coincides with a US attempt to wean Jordan off its deep economic ties with Iraq, and some observers see a growing military role for Jordan.

“Jordan’s role will be that of Pakistan in the US-Taliban war,” said a prominent Jordanian analyst.

Others say Jordan will pay a heavy price for cooperating with an attack. “A US strike against Iraq will increase the influence of radicals (in Jordan),” said former Prime Minister Taher al Masri. “The feeling that the US is an enemy will be enhanced.”—Dawn/The Observer News Service