Will the assault of Fallujah be another bloody battle? Military experts hold that the US troops will probably occupy Fallujah entirely and rewrite its history of high casualty in urban combat. Despite this, the US forces can hardly avoid more attacks from insurgents.

Some experts say certain conditions will make urban combat a bloody one.

First, the military and economic strengths of both sides engaged in combat are close basically. In the Easter Offensive, the Peoples Army of Vietnam had sufficient troops although their weaponry were relatively backward. So the battle lasted for a long time and a high battlefield casualty was seen. But in the assault of Fallujah the American troops are obviously stronger than the Iraqi insurgents, and their assaults have not encountered large-scale resistance.

Second, the defensive side has extensive support of the people. In urban combat, the strong offensive forces will find themselves in a difficult situation if the defensive forces gain support from the people. In American troop's operation in a bid to arrest Aidid in Mogadiscio, the combat appeared extremely bloody and frightening when the American troops were attacked by the Somalian people.

Third, the defensive forces build a large number of hideouts beforehand and are persisted in guerrilla war and snipe war. By using the blindages in city, the defensive side will be able to launch sudden and effective attacks to the offensive forces.

Fourth, the defensive side receives assistance from peripheral troops or receives international aids. As is proved in past battles, the offensive force will come into a disadvantageous position if its weak enemy gains assistance in materials, politics and diplomatism. In modern wars, the two sides usually abide by international laws and will try to avoid too high civilian casualty.

The Iraqi insurgents can hardly get the American troops in a fierce urban combat for the American troops possess evident advantages, say some military experts.

By People's Daily Online