Was there not already a state of emergency in Iraq? Anyway, it’s been declared again, thanks to a high number of attacks. It is also due to the impending onslaught in Fallujah. The speech by Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, is worth noting – with thanks to Fox.
“This is America’s fight,” Sattler said. “What we’ve added to it is our Iraqi partners. They want to go in and liberate Fallujah. They feel this town’s being held hostage by mugs, thugs, murderers and terrorists.”
“God bless you, each and every one. You know what your mission is. Go out there and get it done,” Sattler said.
So too to Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, Fox reports:
The coming battle of Fallujah would be “no different” than the historic fights at Inchon in Korea, the flag-raising victory at Iwo Jima, or the bloody assault to remove North Vietnamese troops who occupied the ancient citadel of Hue in the 1968 Tet Offensive.
“You’re all in the process of making history,” Kent boomed in a clarion voice. “This is another Hue city in the making. I have no doubt, if we do get the word, that each and every one of you is going to do what you have always done kick some butt.”
This is a whole can of whoop-butt all combined here,” Kent said, surveying the Marines surrounding him.
A pumped-up crowd shouted a deafening “Hoo-rah” in response.
Is Fallujah make or break for the US strategy and occupation? When they do go in, they will have to win quickly and decisively, the Black Watch have been promised home for Christmas. If it drags out it could come to symbolise the entire US occupation – a disaster.