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Iraq war may last months: US
The US-led war on Iraq could last months and more US reinforcements might be needed to ensure a victory.
The US-led war on Iraq could last months and more US reinforcements might be needed to ensure a victory, American officials have said.
Foul weather, long and unsafe supply lines and an enemy that has refused to yield to American military force had led to a "broad reassessment" of the situation by some top US Generals, the Washington Post on Thursday quoted senior defence officials as saying.
Military commanders were talking of a "longer, harder war than had been expected just a week ago," the officials said adding that some of them saw the possibility of requirement of more and more US forces for a "drawn-out fight"
Many of the top army commanders were favouring a pause in ground operations and securing the army's supply lines while ensuring the re-supply of force after days of sandstorm and battle damage.
Though more US forces are coming, including the army's 4th infantry division that started unloading equipments in Kuwait after Turkey's refusal to allow US forces to use bases for a second front, it might take a month for them to get into position for providing help to US-led forces, the Post said.
However, a Pentagon spokesman yesterday rejected "the pessimistic assessment" and said the war was going according to the plan. "The plan has moved almost exactly with expectations... It's right on the mark," the Post quoted Army Major General Stanley McChrystal as saying.
In his address to troops yesterday, US President George W Bush said the war is "far from over" and the coalition forces are ready for the battle ahead.
