The U.S. military forces and the Iraqi Army have mounted an all-out offensive on Fallujah, where insurgents have been holed up. The situation raises serious concern. Although most residents have evacuated, deaths and injuries have been reported among civilians. In response to the airstrikes and the ground-force assault, which is said to be the largest led by U.S. Marines since the Vietnam War, the insurgents are fighting back aggressively. There are signs the confusion could spread to other areas.
It is clear that containment by military force that results in casualties among the general public only leads to more violence and retaliation. The United States and the Iraqi interim government face the possibility that the escalation of fighting in Fallujah will further deepen the domestic schism, which could prove counterproductive to the democratization process in Iraq.
Before the offensive, the Iraqi interim government declared a state of emergency throughout the country, except for the Kurdish autonomous zone, making it clear that it intended to firmly deal with the chaos. The aim of the offensive in Fallujah is to wipe out the insurgents so that a nationwide election to form a constitutional assembly can proceed in January.