Top commander says fight may be coming in Fallujah and other rebel areas before elections
By Jim Krane, Associated Press, 9/5/2004 16:51
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) A U.S. assault on one or more of Iraq's three main ''no-go'' areas including Fallujah is likely in the next four months as the Iraqi government prepares to extend control before elections slated for January, the U.S. land forces commander said Sunday.
Army Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Metz's announcement came after a month that saw attacks on U.S. forces reach an average of almost 100 per day the highest level since the end of major combat last year.
Metz, the No. 2 American military leader here, said Iraq's upcoming general election is the next major milestone in Iraq.
The U.S. military will work to regain control of rebel strongholds and turn them over to Iraq's fledgling security forces so elections will be seen by Iraqis and the world as free and fair.
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