Chapter 1355
Song Heping's Plan
Chapter 1355 Song Heping's Plan
Deep underground in the Erbil Presidential Palace, a temporary Joint Tactical Command Center (JTCC) was established.
The giant LED tactical display screen, which occupies an entire wall, emits a cold blue light. The dense symbols, lines, and flashing dots on it form an electronic warfare scene, and the data stream scrolls and refreshes like a waterfall on the side screen.
Major General Torhan stood in front of the main screen like a steel sculpture, his arms tightly crossed over his chest.
His furrowed brows finally relaxed after seeing the latest situation update on the screen.
On the screen, the green area representing the government-controlled zone is visibly encroaching on the last remaining red area.
That was the last stronghold of the special security forces and their remaining supporters who had participated in the rebellion within the city.
Several blue arrows representing the clearing forces were closing in from different directions, quickly extinguishing the stubborn red lights.
"The cleanup of the urban area has entered its final stage."
Torhan turned around and looked at Song Heping and Masoud, who had just stepped into the command center.
While the elder Massoud is still in the hospital in the Green Zone, the younger Massoud has naturally assumed the temporary exercise of presidential powers.
"The main force of the 3rd Mechanized Brigade, in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior's rapid reaction force, completed the suppression of key insurgency points within four hours of the president's televised address."
Torhan continued his report:
"Seventeen key planners and core members were arrested, forty-two stubborn resisters were killed, and two hundred and three were captured. The television station, communications hub, main power plant, core government buildings, and major military camps have all been brought back under absolute control."
Masood nodded: "What is our casualty situation?"
He asked, his voice more steady than expected.
"Our side suffered 28 dead, 37 seriously wounded, and 16 slightly wounded."
Torhan's tone turned somber: "Barzani has cultivated his influence within the security forces and the defense forces for many years, and many mid- to lower-ranking officers and soldiers have been misled by his lies. If the president hadn't given a speech himself, the fighting would never have ended in four hours. We would likely be facing a city-wide street battle."
Song Heping didn't speak; he had already walked to the huge electronic map.
His gaze was as precise as a scalpel, cutting directly onto the thick red artery connecting Kirkuk and Erbil—Route 80.
As you swipe your finger across the top of the screen, you can almost feel the torrent of steel that might be surging down that road right now.
"Barzani should have seen the speech by now."
Song Heping's voice was exceptionally clear.
"Given his personality, and given his current predicament of being cornered... what do you think he'll do?"
Masood took a deep breath, recalling his father's assessment of that man:
“He will retaliate. He will retaliate in the most violent way. He will insist that this is a slander against him, a conspiracy by foreign forces and internal traitors, and that my father and I are coerced puppets. And then…”
As he spoke, his gaze sharpened.
"He will use every force at his disposal to try to reverse his complete political defeat with a military victory. It is the only way out he can see."
As if to verify his judgment—
Before Masoud could finish speaking, a report came from the doorway.
"Report! General! We have top-priority military intelligence!"
The door to the command center was pushed open, and a major adjutant almost stumbled in, not even having time to salute Masood.
His face was somewhat pale, and his voice carried a hint of nervousness.
"From the direction of Kirkuk! Multiple intelligence sources confirm! Barzani's 1st Armored Brigade, 2nd Mechanized Brigade, and 9th Infantry Brigade have all left their camps! They are currently conducting field assembly in the western suburbs of Kirkuk! The vanguard is the 'Lynx' reinforced armored battalion of the 1st Armored Brigade, which departed 25 minutes ago and is advancing at full speed along Highway 80 towards Erbil! The average speed exceeds 50 kilometers per hour!"
The air inside the command center froze instantly.
All the sounds of keyboard typing, hushed conversations, and device humming seemed to be silenced at that moment.
All eyes turned to Tor Khan.
Torhan's face turned ashen at a visible speed.
He abruptly turned his head, staring intently at the three glaring red triangle icons representing the main force of the rebels on the screen, and the estimated troop strength next to them—about 16,700 men.
"He's really crazy!"
Cold sweat beaded on Torhan's forehead.
"Barzani now commands three elite regular combat brigades, which is nearly a third of the Kurdistan government's field mobile force! They are fully equipped with American and Soviet heavy equipment, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and air defense systems... while we..."
His gaze shifted sharply, landing on the insignia of the Third Brigade under his command, and his Adam's apple bobbed violently.
"We only have the Third Mechanized Brigade, which has just finished urban warfare, has suffered casualties and urgently needs to replenish its ammunition! At most, we can deploy no more than 4,500 men immediately for field defense!"
The troop strength ratio is almost one to four.
Moreover, it was an attacking force against a defending force, with the rebels carrying the initial momentum of their attack, while the government forces had just experienced internal strife and were still exhausted.
"Can he completely control these three brigades?"
Song Heping looked at Torhan with a puzzled expression.
"The commander of the 1st Armored Brigade, Qadir, was his blood cousin, and the commander of the 9th Infantry Brigade, Safar, was a loyal follower whom he had personally promoted."
Tol Khan speaks very fast:
"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call those two brigades his private army. Only the 2nd Mechanized Brigade... its commander, Colonel Ali Hassani, is a well-known professional soldier, principled and prestigious. Logically, he shouldn't... unless Barzani used extreme methods unknown to us to clear away obstacles, or temporarily suppressed all dissent. But since the 2nd Brigade has also moved, it means that Barzani, at least for now, has complete control of the command chain of the Kirkuk garrison!"
Massoud looked at Tor Khan and asked the most crucial question: "General Tor Khan, if Barzani launches a full-scale attack on Erbil regardless of casualties and at any cost... how long can we hold out?"
Torhan strode to the city's defense map, his gaze sweeping over the marked lines of defense, strongpoints, and pre-designated battle zones.
He silently calculated for about ten seconds, which seemed incredibly long in the quiet command center.
"Relying on the three outer lines of defense we constructed before the battle, as well as the pre-established urban warfare fortifications, we will conduct flexible defense, resist layer by layer, and delay and wear down the enemy to the greatest extent possible..."
"The most optimistic estimate is forty-eight hours. This assumes the rebels' morale is low, their offensive organization is chaotic, and our forces can sustain effective casualties during defensive operations. However..."
He raised his head and looked directly at Ma Sude and Song Heping, and said frankly:
"If Barzani, like a gambler who's lost everything, were to repeatedly assault a single point with heavy artillery and armored formations, forcibly tearing a breach... thirty-six hours. Even less. The most brutal battle for control of the core area could erupt. And such a battle..."
He closed his eyes in pain.
"It will turn Erbil into a second Grozny. Everything we've built over the years could be reduced to ruins."
"He cannot choose the battlefield."
Song Heping broke the silence.
He had already reached the dedicated encrypted communication station and was giving instructions to the operator wearing a headset, his tone leaving no room for argument:
"Connect to U.S. Army Command in Barkol, Major General Duke's private line."
Thor Khan instantly understood his intention: "Song, you want to gain a political statement?"
"If Barzani wants to fight, we're ready. But the first shot might not be a bullet."
Song Heping took the encrypted microphone from the operator and said coldly:
"Before he arrives, we must first strip away the veneer of 'legitimacy' he uses to coerce his troops and undermine their morale. At the same time..."
His gaze returned to the map.
"First demoralize him, then prepare a large enough graveyard for him."
The communication was established almost instantly, demonstrating the high level of this line.
"Major General Duke, this is Song. It's an emergency, so I'll keep it brief. Barzani has launched a full-scale military offensive. His First, Second, and Third Brigades, totaling approximately 16,000 troops, are leaving Kirkuk and advancing at full speed towards Erbil..."
"Yes, I believe your intelligence system has already issued a warning. We request that the U.S. Coalition Command in Iligo issue a public, clear, and strongly worded statement as quickly as possible. The statement must strongly condemn Barzani's military coup, reiterate support for the legitimate Kurdistan regional government led by President Massoud, and clearly warn that any military attack on Erbil will be considered a serious breach of regional stability and Iligo's sovereignty, and will have serious consequences."
He paused briefly, listened to the response from the other end of the microphone, and then continued:
"Rest assured, I don't need your intervention at this stage, nor will I in the future. But this political statement is crucial; it will be a fatal blow to the morale of the rebels and a clear signal to the international community and those watching from the shadows... General. This statement may be more useful than an air support squadron."
After hanging up the phone, Song Heping turned to Torhan and Masoud:
"Major General Duke promised that within 45 minutes, the Coalition Command's condemnation statement would be released globally through major news agencies and repeatedly broadcast through all official media channels in Ilig and the Kurdistan Region. Although this statement could not stop Barzani's tanks, it was enough to make his officers and soldiers start to think about their lives."
"We've played the political card, but militarily we remain at an extreme disadvantage."
Thorhan pointed to the approaching red arrow on the screen. "We need troops! We need time to build a defensive line! We need to withstand his first heavy blow! It's probably too late to move troops from elsewhere now. Barzani clearly knows this; he wants to use speed to defeat the enemy and take Erbil before anyone can react."
"Don't worry! The military has it, and we can make time for it."
Song Heping took out his satellite phone and quickly dialed a number.
A few seconds later, Abuyuna’s signature gruff voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Boss! If I'm not mistaken, it was that bastard Barzani who made the move, wasn't it? My forward reconnaissance reports that smoke and dust are billowing over the west of Kirkuk!"
"It didn't just move, it came out in full force."
Song Heping laughed and said, "The First, Second, and Ninth Brigades have all moved up, their target is Erbil. Abuyu, your mission is not to come to Erbil to assist in the defense. Your brigade will immediately move westward from its current position and harass the rear of Barzani's main force. Remember, it's like a pack of wolves eyeing a buffalo, constantly harassing, maintaining contact, and applying pressure so that he can't focus on advancing with full force. But avoid a direct confrontation; your forces can't afford to lose at the cost of attrition."
"Understood. Distract him by harassing him and poking his butt!"
Abuyu reacted extremely quickly.
Song Heping then asked, "How long will it take you to complete the deployment preparations? How many troops can you deploy?"
"I'm all ready. We can immediately switch to field readiness! Four thousand eight hundred combat personnel, including an armored assault company, a motorized infantry battalion, a mortar company, and an anti-tank unit, are all in position!"
Abuyu's answer carried a fierce edge.
"But I need intelligence support. Barzani definitely has defenders to cover for him, and I don't want to blindly run into his main players."
"The U.S. military has authorized the sharing of some real-time drone surveillance footage and signals intelligence, and the data link will be synchronized to your brigade's command system within one hour."
Song Heping promised: "Your core objective is to slow down Barzani's overall advance and force him to divert some of his forces and attention to rear protection. As long as you can tie down even one battalion of his troops, making him feel like he has a thorn in his side, it will be a great achievement."
"OK, leave it to me! My striker will depart on time in one hour! Keep the channel open and wait for my good news!"
After ending the call with Abuyu, Song Heping immediately answered another call without any pause.
This time the wait is a little longer.
“Boss, I’ve been waiting for your call. I knew you’d need me! Has Barzani made a move and Erbil is short-handed? You need my troops to attack his flank from the rear near Mosul, right?”
"Not bad! It seems you've finally improved and can now predict my predictions."
Song Heping asked with a smile, "How many troops do you have on hand that can be immediately deployed for mobile operations?"
"They were able to squeeze out two fully equipped mechanized infantry regiments, a reinforced artillery battalion, and a divisional reconnaissance company from the direction of Mosul, with a total strength of about 4,300 men and more than 300 armored vehicles and transport trucks of various types."
Samir provided precise figures.
"But the real problem is time: even if we march all the way from our existing positions in the southern suburbs of Mosul to the designated blocking area west of Erbil, it will take at least fifteen to seventeen hours."
"Barzani's advance armored forces are expected to arrive on the outskirts of Erbil in eleven hours."
Torhan added in a deep voice, as if the pressure gauge of time was ticking in everyone's heart.
"Then we have to get there before them."
Song Heping's eyes were fixed on the tactical map, his brain like the most sophisticated combat computer, frantically calculating the cold variables of distance, speed, troop strength, and time.
His finger pressed heavily on a key node on the screen, tightly surrounded by contour lines—east of the Kui region, a strategic area formed by the intersection of hills, valleys, and multiple highways.
"Samir, your target is not the walls of Erbil."
Song Heping tapped his fingers lightly on the hilly valley.
"I want your troops to advance at top speed, regardless of fatigue, straight to the high ground, road junctions, bridges, and strategic passes east of the Kuy region. Here, construct a solid, arc-shaped mobile defensive position facing southeast."
He paused briefly to clarify his intention:
"If Barzani suffers a setback at the gates of Erbil—which he inevitably will—or if he senses the situation is dire, his most likely option will be to retreat south, attempting to return to his stronghold of Kirkuk, or continue north, seeking refuge on the Turkish border. Your task is to set up an impenetrable barrier along his inevitable northward escape route! Push back his southward advance forcefully, trapping him within the encirclement!"
"A strategic encirclement, closing the door to beat the dog."
Samir instantly understood, but then raised a crucial concern: "But if I take all the troops from Mosul, what will happen to 1515...?"
His concern was that the 1515 militia, which had been stationed in Titrit, might take the opportunity to seize territory or even launch an attack on Mosul.
“Mosul is guarded by another force.”
Song Heping reassured him, "Time is victory, speed is life. Please act immediately!"
“Okay, I will order my troops to set off first. I am currently in Bakda and will take a helicopter back to rejoin my troops immediately. Keep in touch.”
For the third call, Song Heping dialed a satellite communication number with the highest level of encryption.
The waiting tone coming from the receiver was regular and monotonous, sounding particularly jarring in the tense atmosphere of the command center.
After six rings, a male voice with a distinct Persian accent came through:
"I am Nassin."
"Nassr, this is Song Heping. Have the reinforcements from the Holy City Brigade been deployed as agreed?"
"Three fully-equipped mechanized infantry battalions and one support company, totaling 1,840 combat personnel and supporting equipment, arrived at the pre-designated concealed position codenamed 'Palm Garden' southeast of Baiji before 22:00 yesterday."
Nassin's answer was as precise as reading a military report.
“Elder Afanti told me to tell you that you can trust us to ensure the safety of Mosul this time.”
Song Heping said, “You will establish forward observation and surveillance positions in the strategic area between Baiji and Mosul. Your core mission is to monitor all movements in the 1515 armed group's controlled area in the Tikrit direction around the clock, especially to detect any communication, personnel contact, or troop movements between them and Barzani. Your task is to prevent the 1515 armed group from taking advantage of the chaos. If they dare to extend their claws to Mosul and Baiji at this time, cut off their hands!”
“No problem!” Nassin responded immediately: “The Holy City Brigade will fulfill the agreement and ensure the safety of your rear. Please keep the encrypted channel on standby and contact us at any time. We wish you success in suppressing the rebellion.”
When Song Heping hung up the third call and turned around, he found that almost everyone in the command center was staring at him.
Torhan, Masood the Younger, staff officers, signalmen...
Their eyes held a complex mix of astonishment, realization, admiration, and a flicker of hope ignited by seeing a meticulously crafted blueprint for a counterattack amidst overwhelming odds.
"Now."
Song Heping walked to the central tactical screen and picked up a red electronic stylus.
The pen tip landed between the two points of light representing Kirkuk and Erbil, drawing a slightly elongated oval-shaped encirclement.
"Here is Barzani's 16,000-strong army, his three main brigades."
He marked three bright red triangular attack symbols heavily inside the ellipse.
Next, he drew a solid blue shield at the location of Erbil:
"General Torhan's Third Mechanized Brigade is putting up a fierce resistance here, relying on the city's in-depth defense system. Your mission is not to repel them, but to delay, wear down, and hold off the main force of the rebels, so that we can mobilize our forces to complete the encirclement and buy the most precious golden time."
Then, behind the oval (on the east side), he drew a sharp blue arrow pointing directly to the tail of the oval: "Here is the Abuyu Brigade. They will be like a poisoned dagger, constantly stabbing and harassing the rebels from the rear, making it difficult for them to defend both ends and preventing them from launching a full-scale attack on the city, causing them to bleed out continuously."
To the north of the ellipse, he drew a thick, curved blue arc.
"Samir's main force of 'liberation forces' has established a defensive line here. This is the key iron gate of the encirclement plan, completely blocking all channels for Barzani to escape north or retreat west."
Finally, on the south side of the ellipse, he drew a dashed line and added a prominent skull and crossbones warning sign:
"This area is under the control of the Persian Holy City Brigade. Barzani would never dare to venture south unless he wanted to fight the most elite Persian troops to the death."
"Surrounded on all sides, with no way out."
Little Masood repeated in a low voice, his eyes flashing intensely.
"But time... is the greatest enemy. Barzani's armored vanguard will be at the city gates by noon or dusk tomorrow, Samir's troops will take almost a day to arrive, and General Abuyu's containment effect will also need time to take effect."
"So, we need to be here—"
Song Heping's pen tip pointed with unparalleled precision to a treacherous section of Highway 80, about one-third of the way along, tightly squeezed by contour lines and marked "Nasur Fortress".
"We are fighting a defensive battle. A bloody battle where casualties are no object and time is of the essence. The goal is not to annihilate or even repel them, but to pin Barzani's sharpest vanguard armored forces down here for at least twelve hours!"
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(End of this chapter)