Hi Bobert,

You appear to set great store by Saddam's election returns, completely ignoring the fact that in Iraq you have to vote, or have a damn good reason for not voting, otherwise you tend to have to undergo a fairly strenuous interview to establish your political affiliations.

Now having ignored what happenned during Desert Storm with the bulk of his armed forces (i.e. the ones who surrendered in droves) lets take a look at the troops who can be assessed as the ones who will remain loyal.

Republican Guard:
Considered the elite element of Iraq's conventional armed forces. Currently made up of 7 Divisions, highly mechanised not best suited for urban warfare.

Special Republican Guard:
A special para-military unit specifically tasked with personal security for Iraq's President and for internal security. Numbers currently estimated at 26,000, organised into 17 Battalions. They are exclusively recruited from Saddam Hussein's tribal group within Iraq.

Fedayeen Saddam:
30,000 to 40,000 strong, another para-military group used for internal security and anti-smuggling patrols and operations.

Taking those three units Bobert, two of them (SRG & FS) are used to ensure the "good behaviour" of the Iraqi population and suppression of any dissident elements. While you may contend that they will fight, I do not believe that they can fight on the assumption that the general population will support them.