Further reinforcing the concept of operations I put forth in my article yesterday, the Army News Service reports that a US brigade from the 2d Infantry Division started another operation against anti—Iraqi forces in the town of Ar—Ramadi on September 30.  An earlier attack, on September 18, began the 'squeeze' operation from the west of the Sunni Triangle, by attacking a recently identified terrorist cell referred to as the Daham Network.  The latest operation is the third brigade—sized operation in as many weeks.  This time the US is determined not to create another Fallujah by halting just prior to achieving the final objective.  Warrant Officer Christopher B. Wallitsch, targeting officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division said,

'We will not abandon Iraqi cities and see them suffer the same fate as Fallujah.  We are determined to maintain our foothold in this city and drive out those who choose to disrupt peace and stability here.  This brigade combat team will remain relentless in its pursuit of fighters in this city who are targeting the peaceful residents to instill fear within them.  We will not stand for that and we are taking every measure necessary to deny those fighters a safe haven from which to operate.'

Meanwhile, Reuters, in its own unique perspective, reports  that talks are underway for the remainder of al—Sadr's dwindling number of thugs to lay down their arms and end the fighting in Sadr City.  Among the more laughable remarks made by a Sadr representative is this one:

He [Ali Smeism, a top Sadr advisor] said the proposed deal focused on militiamen holed up in the Baghdad slum district of Sadr City, a hotbed of anti—U.S. activity, but could be extended to other "areas of tension.'

Readers who follow the tactical situation in Iraq would realize that there are no other 'areas of tension,' since the so—called Mahdi Militia has been smashed in southern Iraq.  The peace talks are simply a sign that the 1st Cavalry Division is on the verge of retaking not only Sadr City, but also the eastern apex of the Sunni Triangle.

Speaking of the Sunni Triangle, the article notes that talks are also underway to end the standoff against Baathist loyalists in Fallujah.  This seems to indicate that Coalition and Iraqi Army operations over the last several weeks have been extremely successful in isolating terrorist and Baathist centers of resistance in the Triangle.

The collapse of the anti—Iraqi forces may happen more quickly than I had anticipated.

Douglas Hanson   10—07—04