New war-fighting methods used on the Taliban in Afghanistan would not apply to Iraq, which could prove to be a fiercer enemy in any military operation to overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the commandant of the Marine Corps said Wednesday, according to The Washington Times.
In its Thursday edition, the US daily said, "When we draw lessons learned we should be careful that we don't draw the wrong lessons," Marine Corps General James L. Jones said during an interview.
"Afghanistan was Afghan-istan. Iraq is Iraq, and it would be foolish, for example, if you ever committed to going into Iraq to think that the [special-operations forces] principles that were successful in Afghanistan would necessarily be successful in Iraq," said General Jones, a member of the 6-member Joint Chiefs of Staff. "In my opinion, it would not."
Washington turned the tide of battle against the Taliban regime by inserting Army Green Berets, who quickly organized guerrilla units and identified ground targets for American fighters and bombers.
On the other hand, in Iraq, the United States would face a much tougher enemy in Saddam Hussein's army, which is comprised of an estimated half-a-million men. (Albawaba.com)
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