Chapter 1741 - 1356: Song Heping's Strategy (2)

Little Masoud looked at General Tor Khan and asked the most critical question: "General Tor Khan, if Barzani disregards casualties and launches a costliest assault on Elbil, how long can we hold out?"

General Tor Khan strode over to the detailed city defense map, scanning the marking lines of defense, support points, and predefined combat zones.

He silently calculated for about ten seconds, an eternity in the quiet command center.

"Relying on the three outer defense lines we constructed before the war, along with the urban street fighting fortification system, we'll conduct flexible defense, resist layer by layer, and delay and exhaust the enemy's forces to the maximum..."

"Most optimistically, forty-eight hours. The premise is that the rebels' morale is low, there's chaos in their attack organization, and our forces can inflict effective damage continuously during defensive operations. However..."

He lifted his gaze to face Little Masoud and Song Heping, speaking honestly:

"If Barzani, like a gambler who's desperate, repeatedly uses heavy artillery and armored groups to breach a point, and force a gap...thirty-six hours. Perhaps even less time. The core downtown area might spark the most brutal battle. And such a fight..."

He painfully closed his eyes.

"Would turn Elbil into another Grozny. Everything we've built over the years could become ruins."

"The battlefield, can't be chosen by him."

Song Heping broke the silence.

He had walked up to the dedicated encrypted communication desk, issuing instructions to the headphone-wearing operator, his tone indisputable:

"Connect to the US Army Command in Baghdad, Major General Duke's direct line."

General Tor Khan instantly understood his intent: "Song, you want to secure a political statement?"

"If Barzani wants to fight, we shall accompany. But the first shot, isn't necessarily a bullet."

Song Heping took the encrypted handset the operator handed over, his eyes cold as he spoke:

"Before he arrives, we must first strip his coerced troops of their 'legitimacy' veneer, weaken his army's morale. At the same time..."

His eyes returned to the map.

"Strike at his morale first, then prepare a grave large enough for him."

The communication practically connected instantaneously, showcasing the line's level.

"Major General Duke, this is Song. It's a critical situation, so I'll be brief. Barzani has launched a full-scale military attack, under his command the First, Second, and Third Brigades, totaling about sixteen thousand troops, are advancing quickly from Kirkuk to Elbil..."

"Yes, I believe your intelligence system is already on alert. We request: the US Alliance Headquarters in Illiguo, can you issue an open, clear, and stern statement as fast as possible? The content should strongly condemn Barzani's military coup actions, reaffirm support for President Masoud's leadership of the legal government of Kurdistan Region, and explicitly warn that any military attack on Elbil will be considered a severe disruption to regional stability and Illiguo's sovereignty, and will lead to severe consequences."

He paused slightly, listening to the response from the other end of the handset, then continued:

"Rest assured, currently I don't need your physical involvement, nor will I in the future. But this political statement is crucial; it's a fatal blow to the rebel forces' morale, as well as a clear signal to the international community and those watching in secret... General. This statement might be more useful than an airborne support fleet."

Ending the call, Song Heping turned to General Tor Khan and Little Masoud:

"Major General Duke promised that within forty-five minutes, the Alliance Headquarters' condemnation statement will be globally released through major news agencies and repeatedly broadcast on all official media channels in Illiguo and the Kurdistan Region. Though this statement can't stop Barzani's tanks, it's enough to make his officers and soldiers start pondering their survival."

"The political maneuver has been played, but militarily, we are still extremely disadvantaged."

General Tor Khan pointed at the screen showing the red arrow moving closer.

"We need troops! Need time to build defenses! Need to block his first heavy attack! Moving troops from other areas now might not happen in time, Barzani is clearly aware of this and now seeks to fight fast against slow, seizing Elbil before anyone can react."

"Don't worry! We have troops, and time can be squeezed out."

Song Heping took out a satellite phone, quickly dialing a number.

Seconds later, Abu You's distinctive rough voice came through the receiver.

"Boss! If I'm not mistaken, is that mutt Barzani making a move? My forward reconnaissance post reports smoke and dust covering the western Kirkuk!"

"No, not just a move, he's gone all out."

Song Heping laughed: "The First, Second, and Ninth Brigades are all pressing forward, targeting Elbil. Abu You, your mission isn't to come to Elbil for defense. Your brigade, immediately maneuver from the current location westward, latch onto the rear of Barzani's main force. Remember, it's like a pack of wolves hunting a wild bull, continuously harass, keep contact, exert pressure, so he can't proceed with full concentration. But avoid a frontal fight, your troops can't afford the consumption."

"Understood, harassment and diversion, poke his rear to distract him!"

Abu You responded swiftly.

Song Heping then asked: "How long will you need to complete the mobilization and how many troops can you deploy?"

"I've prepared long before. We can immediately transition to a field combat state! Four thousand eight hundred personnel, armor assault company, motorized infantry battalion, mortar company, anti-tank squad all ready!"

Abu You's answer was filled with a fierce determination.