Iraqi troops urged to liberate Fallujah

By Jackie Spinner and Omar Fekeiki
The Washington Post

MARCO DI LAURO / GETTY IMAGES New Iraqi Army soldiers train for urban combat as they prepare for a possible offensive near Fallujah, Iraq.

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"This is the first time in the history of Iraq we have seen people being slaughtered like sheep under the umbrella of Islam," Shalan told Iraqi troops gathered at a base near Fallujah. "Your conscience and families call for you. They call for you to liberate this city."

Dancing, singing and thrusting their rifles into the air, the Iraqi soldiers seemed to know a rallying cry when they heard one.

"We are here to defend our country," said Ali, 28, a soldier from Nasiriyah who is in the Iraqi army's 1st Brigade. Like many of the Iraqi soldiers interviewed here, he gave only one name.

"We have to get rid of terrorism," he said. "All the world looks down on Iraq now because of the terrorists who are not Iraqi. We will make them see Iraqi men ending the terrorism in Iraq."

Although the battle for Fallujah will be led by U.S. forces, the operation is as much a test for the new Iraqi army, which will provide several thousand soldiers whose major assignment is to secure areas after the Americans move through.

U.S. military leaders have touted the presence of the Iraqi forces as a crucial element in the planned assault in the city.

"Your warrior brothers in the U.S. Marine Corps are proud to stand next to you," Lt. Gen. John Sattler, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, told Iraqi soldiers who surrounded him yesterday during the defense minister's visit to the camp.

"You are the future of your country, and we will be proud to be a part of that future with you," Sattler said as a crowd of Iraqi troops pressed toward him. "We will take all of our spirit into the fight to give Fallujah back to the Fallujah people."

The soldiers hooted with delight, pumped their fists and clapped Sattler on his beige flak jacket.

An officer who identified himself as Mohammed Abbas, commander of the elite Iraqi Internal Threat Force, said his troops were ready for anything.
 
In earshot of U.S. military officers who are advising him, Abbas complained about the weapons Iraqi soldiers have to use, primarily AK-47 assault rifles.

"The developed armies develop new weapons," he said. "In Iraq, we didn't have a chance. Our communications gear is not like the Americans use. The American soldiers have lighter and more developed equipment. Our weapons are old."

Even so, Abbas, who was an officer in the Iraqi army under deposed President Saddam Hussein, said he was confident that his troops will be victorious.

"We know our enemy even if they have developed weapons," he said. "As Iraqi people and army, we'll fight them with traditional weapons. We have our strategy and mentality. What made the Iraqi soldier fight the American soldiers in 1990 and last year despite their high technology, is the same we will use in this battle."

As he walked the dusty grounds of his outpost, Abbas, who later acknowledged that the name he gave was an alias, beckoned a soldier to run faster when he called for him. Waving his hands in the air, Abbas declared that all his men were heroes and that "this," he said, nodding to his surroundings, "is my kingdom."

His soldiers squatted on the ground in front of him, waiting for direction, as he paced in front of them.

"This one is 19," he said, pointing to a baby-faced recruit who held firm to his rifle. "And this one is 25."

Haider, a 20-year-old soldier from Basra, who had not seen or talked to his family in a week, said he first joined the Iraqi army to make a living.

"But later when I saw the security situation deteriorating the country and all these terrorists coming to Iraq from outside, I changed my mind," he said. "I believe I have a big responsibility in my country. People depend on us. We will fight for them."

Muhammed, 24, a soldier from Mosul, echoed a sentiment expressed by other Iraqi soldiers.

Though he was fully prepared to battle foreign insurgents, he would not fight the residents of the city, Muhammed said.

"No Iraqis will be a target for us," he said. "I cannot fight an Iraqi. He is my brother."