US Military Officials Downplay Impact of Saddam Hussein's Capture

US military officials have expressed skepticism over the impact of Saddam Hussein's capture on the insurgency in Iraq, despite a recent spike in attacks on coalition soldiers. According to Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, the number and type of attacks on US and allied troops have remained relatively the same in the past two weeks. However, the general acknowledged that the attacks have been more deadly, with 20 coalition soldiers killed over a five-day period starting on Christmas Eve.

Key Takeaways:

• The capture of Saddam Hussein has not led to a significant change in the number and type of attacks on coalition soldiers, according to US military officials.
• Despite a recent spike in attacks, the number of engagements between coalition forces and insurgents has remained relatively steady in the past two weeks.
• The quality of captures has improved, with higher-ranking officials such as Sarhid Ab Sarhid, a former Iraqi military intelligence officer, being targeted and killed.
• Coalition officials believe that the capture of Saddam Hussein has provided intelligence that has been helpful in continuing operations, but have not led to a significant decrease in support for the insurgency.
• The insurgency has adapted to the capture, attempting to use the Christmas holiday to mount an offensive, which was largely unsuccessful due to intelligence gathering and successful operations by coalition forces.

Statistics:

• 20 coalition soldiers killed over a five-day period starting on Christmas Eve, the largest death toll over such a short period since 19 soldiers were killed when two Black Hawk helicopters were downed more than a month ago.
• At least 18 separate attacks had been planned on Christmas morning, but were largely unsuccessful due to intelligence gathering and successful operations by coalition forces.
• The number of engagements between coalition forces and insurgents has remained relatively steady in the past two weeks, with 20 coalition soldiers killed in the past week, compared to 19 soldiers killed the previous week.

Sources: