posted on Oct, 13 2004 @ 02:41 PM
Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi warned residents of Falljah to hand over the foreign fighters and insurgents or a full scale military
operation will be undertaken to root out those elements. Fallujah has been a frequent target of US aerial bombardment in an effort to kill militants
and Abu Musab Al Zarqawi.
reuters.myway.com
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq"s interim prime minister warned the rebel-held city of Falluja on Wednesday it must hand over foreign militants, including
America"s top enemy in Iraq, or face a major operation to root them out.
Iyad Allawi"s comments set a tough condition for negotiators seeking to defuse a months-long standoff between U.S. forces and their Sunni Muslim foes
in Iraq"s most rebellious city.
Repeated U.S. air strikes have targeted buildings the military say are used by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian militant who has claimed some of the
country"s bloodiest suicide bombings and hostage beheadings.
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It sounds to me like Allawi has been emboldened by the recent successes in Iraq. With the Mahdi army turning in weapons, and the declared victory in
Summarah he may feel as if he can make such bold statements, and then back them up.
If such an action is required in Fallujah, many of the residents will not react kindly to an American presence. This action would need to have an
Iraqi face on it.