Fallujah Reduced to Rubble in Pursuit of Phantom

The Americans boosted by the fresh mandate received by their president have wasted little time in reducing Fallujah to rubble. The message from the Commander-in-Chief appears to be 'more of the same' now that the pre-election lull is of no further consequence.

As the debate continues within the Muslim World as to whether Abu Musaib Al-Zarqawi is myth or reality, the US military has already conceded to the possibility that he may have 'slipped away'.

Nevertheless, the official aim is to stabilise Iraq ahead of January's polls and regaining Fallujah is seen as crucial to that objective.

The question perhaps foremost on Muslim minds is: On what basis is the illegal occupation (As described by the UN Security General) acting under? (Obtaining permission from Iyad Allawi is hardly an endorsement from the Iraqi people). Or is this yet another example of inadvertent support to the credibility of the resistance?

When the US occupiers were ousted in April, the immediate reaction from the populace was one of much-sought for calm and respite. Knowing that re-entering would lead to a mass of innocent casualties while the resistance would at the very least manouvere to fight another day defies logic.

Furthemore, the battle for Fallujah in April was halted prematurely in large part because of Iraqi and international concerns about the effect of the siege on innocents in that town. The Americans, describing Fallujah as a 'cancer' are hopeful that removing the cancer there would have a positive impact on other parts of the Sunni Triangle.

When we consider that U.S. rules of engagement consider anyone driving a vehicle as a target, not to mention the relentless bombardment that has come from the air, their 'hopeful' aims have no contingency other than mass destruction.

Many commentators even accept that the long-term prospects for Fallujah are murkier. The insurgent forces and foreign fighters like 'Zarqawi' are thought to be supported by imams, sheiks and town leaders, while not actively opposed by others. So, when co-operation from locals is not forthcoming, then smashing the place to smithereens is seen as the only way to make them understand the fruits of freedom and democracy American style.