QandO

April 09, 2004

Fights in cities
Posted by McQ

We're at an "operational pause" in Fallujah and Kut has been retaken. Two different fights. Both against fanatics of a different stripe.

An "operational pause", btw, is simply a device to recock and go at it again. It also allows the Americans to let in humanitarian aid and essentially ask "had enough yet"?

My guess is we'll hear a "no" in Fallujah as we're dealing with extremists there. In any event, its again evident that we're pulling punches there. Rules of engagement say no firing until fired upon, and, as is obvious, we're not using our superior fire power to flatten the place with artillery before moving through. Frankly they could have quelled Fallujah in about a day had they done that, but that's not the point ... the point is to kill or capture the insurgents without destroying the rest of the population.

Military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) is probably the most difficult combat there is, especially when you have to fight with one hand behind your back.

These operations are conducted to defeat an enemy that may be mixed in with civilians. Therefore, the rules of engagement (ROE) and use of combat power are more restrictive than in other conditions of combat.

Remember that in WWII we flattened towns with artillery and air strikes before we assaulted them. Stalingrad and Berlin speak to those tactics. That's because we were fighting an "unrestricted" war in which the entire coutnrys (to include their populations) were considered 'enemy'. That's not the case in Iraq.

We've avoided that in Fallujah, for good reason which really don't need to be detailed having to do with "hearts and minds". The good news is we have some high power precision weapons which can be used if necessary in very special circumstances and very surgically.

People are now asking why we're having to deal with cities like Fallujah, why we didn't do this during the war.

Doctrine dictates that we avoid MOUT if possible.

Tactical doctrine stresses that urban combat operations are conducted only when required and that built-up areas are isolated and bypassed rather than risking a costly, time-consuming operation in this difficult environment. Adherence to these precepts, though valid, is becoming increasingly difficult as urban sprawl changes the face of the battlefield.

MOUT is an ever evolving doctrine and tactics are also constantly reviewed. That's because, as usual, no two situations are the same. Each brings unique concerns and problems for the commander.

But, in reality, it is mostly a small unit infantry fight. Yes combat multipliers such as armor and limited aviation assets are used, and combined arms is the most desireable team, but for the most part its the grunt, moving from house to house, street by street, clearing as they go. Armor is effective mostly as a "assault gun" used to surgically destroy pockets of resistance which are too much for or too costly for infantry to try to assault and clear.

Artillery is mostly used in an interdiction role ... keeping supplies and reinforcements from reaching the enemy, keep him isolated and sometimes in direct fire roles. But it is a limited use and primary in the role of isolating the enemy. Same with aviation assets.

Another thing to keep in mind. Combat in cities (MOUT) usually takes about three times longer than the usual estimates. It is time intensive combat. It is slow, it is methodical, it is careful and therefore it takes time. Additionally, historically, attackers take much higher casualties in MOUT than in other forms of combat. Another reason that it is avoided if possible.

But sometimes, it is inevitable.

How do you succeed in MOUT? Usually by isolation of small areas and then clearing the isolated area. Then doing it again. That's why you see the news reports saying the Marines now control about a quarter of the city. That's the portion they've isolated and are still clearing.

In the meantime, they're trying to keep the entire town isolated through roadblocks and checkpoints so they can control entry and exiting of the city. As the noose tightens, this will become more and more important as those who finally decide they'd perfer to run and fight another day attempt to leave.

All-in-all, tough duty.

Look for this to go on for several more day to a couple of weeks in Fallujah where you have fighters with SOME expertice in this sort of warfare. As for the other cities (such as Kut), results should be much quicker because there you are fighting those with much less expertice and much less cohesive command and control structure. It doesn't make them any less dangerous, but it does mean they're more likely to quit in the face of overwhelming combat superiority. Once the US and coalition troops begins to enjoy some success in those towns, it is my guess resistance will collapse fairly quickly (I'm speaking primarily of the al-Sadr militias).

This is an important fight for Iraq's future if there is to be any chance for it to stand by itself. The extremists and the militias must be eliminated and there be no question left in the mind of the perpertrators (or those thinking about joining in) that this sort of rebellion won't be tolerated and will be forcefully put down.

Unfortunately, MOUT will be part of the message.

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