This revealing email from Lt. Col. David BELLON, USMC seems to indicate that the city of terrorists is about to end its 8 month downward spiral by going out in a blaze of gunfire.
David writes, "They believe that they can hold Fallujah. In fact, they have come from all over to be part of its glorious defense."
His description of the current situation is well worth reading.
We may look in the next few months and see this as one of the more fortunate consequences of our earlier withdrawal from Fallujah. Instead of having to search for these terrorists, they have gathered themselves in one place where they can be effectively disposed of.
At this point, it appears that the only people left in Fallujah are those who support the terrorists. Those who fled earlier are willing for the Marines and Iraqi forces to reduce the city to rubble, if necessary, to get rid of the vermin that infests it.
A soldier was quoted in a related NYT article. I think he captured the issue succinctly:
"It's kind of like the cancer of Iraq," said Lt. Steven Berch, a lanky platoon commander, speaking of Falluja. "It's become a kind of hotel for the insurgents. Hopefully getting rid of them will help to stabilize the whole country."
Getting all of the terrorists in one place will make a thorough cleanup more likely. I hope that the attack begins before the terrorists realize what mortal danger they are in.
(Via Instapundit )
Great! Let's get On-With-IT. Thanks for sharing the letter and info.
Posted by: Sallie | Nov 06, 2004 at 08:14 AM
The Empire will prevail.
Posted by: Darth Vader | Nov 06, 2004 at 08:36 AM
If they find that murderer Zarkawi in Fallujah, I hope they take him alive. A swift end is too good for this guy and his buddies. And I hope and pray our casualties are light... though it doesn't look like the kind of battleground that makes that possible....
Bill
Posted by: Bill Schaffer | Nov 08, 2004 at 05:55 PM