The Rebel Faction

You might want to adjust your tinfoil hat there.

Joren Logan:

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Another thing I promise you is that there is no way to negotiate with Islamic militants.

o rlly

Is that why they negotiated them into a cease fire, and then surrounded the city while waiting for the election?

Demosthenes X:

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Plus, the civilian deaths might just inspire more people to take up arms against the invaders.
I see the situation as lose-lose.

You mean the civilians that have been evacuated from Fallujah for days now?

Those ones?

If I may inject my opinion.

It is indeed suscpiscious as to why they awaited until very shortly after the election to launch the attack. But I imagine there was little ill-effect, since the time could be given over to bringing in more troops and increasing training. Wether it was political or not is not too important, as the soldiers should suffer little - if any - for the delay.

Also, there are still tens of thousands of civilians in Fallujah, we can safely imagine that many would not want, would be incapable of, or would not be allowed out of the city. There are far more civilians then there are enemies, and since all a militant need do is drop his gun and round a corner and he's an upstanding citizen again, civilian casualties will probably occur.

The real problem is not these things, however, although it is connected. I see the problem as the fact that people are BECOMING militants in the first place, and when you think about it a large amount are probably not doing it because they're religious fanatics or ex-Baathists, many would probably become fighters because of civilian casualties including their relatives or friends, or because they feel this is an occupation.

Now, obviously if stability is to return to Iraq, in any way and under any banner, Fallujah would have to be stabalized quickly. Maybe there is a diplomatic way to coax them out and ensure peace, but it appears they have failed or have not tried, and as such military attacks would be the only option. The question remains as to whether the attack will be very precise and carefully done, ensuring minimal losses all around and establishing peace in the city, or if it will be bungled and will serve in only boosting the cause of militant groups.

Dolash makes me feel stupid



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