| U.S. Hopes To Retake Rebel Areas International Herald Tribune September 21, 2004 |
 Faced with a growing insurgency and a January deadline for national elections, U.S. commanders in Iraq say they are preparing operations to open up rebel-held areas, especially Falluja, the restive city west of Baghdad now under control of insurgents and Islamist groups.
A senior U.S. commander said the military intended to take back Falluja and other rebel areas by the end of the year. He did not set a date for an offensive but said that much would depend on the availability of Iraqi military and police units, which would be sent to the areas once they were retaken. The U.S. commander suggested that operations in Falluja could begin as early as November or December, the deadline the Americans had given themselves for restoring Iraqi government control across the country. |
The time is now. With the Iraqi elections coming up within the next few months we need to ensure that this goal is met. The future of Iraq hangs in the balance.
