Massing

I've mentioned that one of our jobs in Iraq is to atomize the enemy so that Iraqi forces can handle them without our forces. If the enemy could mass in battalion strength, they could overrun outposts and withdraw, leaving the government unable to disperse forces to protect population centers. Atomized into small groups, even light infantry patrols or small outposts can't be overwhelmed before help arrives. I've noted that I hadn't heard of the enemy operating in even platoon strength in quite a while (40-50 men).

This report shows that the enemy did recently operate in platoon strength:

During Saturday's fighting in Baqouba, police killed at least 36 insurgents and wounded dozens after scores of militants armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades attacked government buildings in the city center, police said. The fighting raged for hours in the city, about 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.

Although scores (4 score, or 80 enemy?) attacked the city center, Iraqi police--one of the least effective of the Iraqi security forces (other than Facility Protection Service guys)--hunted down the enemy, killing or wounding at least 60 by this account. The enemy apparently failed to take any of the buildings since I'm sure that would be mentioned if it happened.

This is one of the largest enemy attacks I've heard about and even this was handled by Iraqi police. This is as good an example as any of why the enemy prefers IEDs to actual gun battles. I wonder if the enemy will try to mass scores of gunmen any time soon.

Explain to me again about how bad our allies are and how good the enemy is?