"The much anticipated attack follows months of hands off policy as troops were routinely sniped and attacked with orders not to retaliate."
...and then some people wonder WHY it has "dragged on" for so long.
We should have done this December 2004 after Fallujah.
But, Rumsfield and Abiziad didn't want to send more troops to Iraq.
I hate to say it because I like both men as Americans, but they weren't committed to winning this war. They like Murtha wanted to slide out of Iraq ASAP without winning. Abiziad even told Murtha that they were inches apart when it comes to Iraq.
Prayers for our warriors.