As American and Iraqi forces continue to advance against terrorist and insurgent strongholds in western al Anbar province, some Sunnis are whining about the attacks:
In Baghdad, a leading Sunni Arab politician, Adnan al-Dulaimi, called for a halt to U.S. and Iraqi military operations against cities in order to encourage disaffected Sunnis to join the political process and vote in national elections next month.
Never, ever, let up on the enemy until they actually capitulate. If Sunnis haven't come over yet, holding back will only give them the option of weighing options and continuing to fight. The prospect at dying at the hands of soldiers, Marines, and Iraqi security forces should be encouragement enough to stop fighting us. This American officer has the right idea:
"We are meeting quite a bit of resistance here in Husaybah but the offensive is going well," Capt. Conlon Carabine told the network. "Our strategy is basically to kill the insurgents when we come across them."
Carabine said U.S. and Iraqi forces plan to establish a long-term presence in the town once the insurgents are routed. "Once we clear this town, we're going to stay in this town," he said. "We're not going to leave this population."
Davis said the militants were putting up a tough fight because "this area is near and dear to the insurgents, particularly the foreign fighters" because it is so close to the Syrian border.
"This has been the first stop for foreign fighters, and this is strategic ground for them," he said.
The enemy can stop fighting whenever they are smart enough to realize that a decision to keep fighting means their death and ruin. Respite from that threat will never lead to the right decision. It only allows the enemy another option--retreat and regroup--until we again make them choose between life and a future or death and ruin.
Our Sunni enemy has had two years to think about joining the new Iraq. They did not take the chance. At this point we basically need to kill the enemy where we come across them, and if they can throw their hands up fast enough, accept their surrender. Time is a weapon and we should not give it to the enemy.
Remember--don't ever let up on the enemy. If they had us on the run, would they ever halt to give us a chance to think it over and surrender? Or would they press on, kill us, slaughter the survivors, and then eagerly look for new victims to murder?
Fear is the beginning of wisdom. Lead them to wisdom.
