"I believe he was there more for moral support," said Major General Raymond Odierno, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, the unit whose troops captured Saddam. There were no cellular telephones, radios, or other communication devices found with him, and his appearance indicated to some experts that he was more focused on hiding out than actively commanding resistance fighters. Initial reports suggest his role in directing the insurgency was limited. "We still face terrorists who would rather go on killing the innocent than accept the rise of liberty in the heart of the Middle East." Was Saddam running the insurgency? "The capture of Saddam Hussein does not mean the end of violence in Iraq," President Bush said in his December 14 address after Saddam’s capture.
forces, and these organizations are expected to continue their fight, experts say. Shadowy, radical Islamic cells, supplemented by foreign jihadists, are among those attacking U.S. In addition, the insurgency campaign includes many groups- not only Saddam supporters and former members of his Baath Party. Saddam loyalists might mount retaliatory attacks. Why might there be a short-term rise in attacks? officials hope that Saddam’s capture will deflate the morale of remaining loyalists and encourage Iraqis to provide intelligence that will help the coalition root out the rest of the insurgents. Some experts are expecting a short-term spike in attacks on December 15, two suicide bombers exploded cars outside Iraqi police stations, killing at least six people and wounding 22. officials have warned that they believe attacks will continue, at least in the near future. Are there any signs it has affected the insurgency? In domestic political terms, President Bush is receiving widespread credit for the capture. The capture also boosts the spirit of American troops in Iraq and could undermine the resolve of resistance fighters.
The psychological fallout may be significant: Iraqis will no longer fear- or, in some cases, expect- a Saddam comeback. troops and occupation authorities, neutralizes any role Saddam might have had in organizing resistance attacks and plotting his return to power. In the short term, the December 13 arrest of Iraq’s former dictator, a key goal of U.S. It’s uncertain what the lasting effects will be. What are the effects of Saddam Hussein’s capture?
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