A morte dos filhos do Saddam e a resistência iraquiana

O editorial do Washington Post de hj comemora a morte dos filhos de Saddam que seria a primeira "boa notícia" vinda do Iraque onde nos últimos tempos só se tem falado em guerrilha, sabotagem e nas quase diárias mortes de soldados americanos.

Segundo o Post, a vitória pode representar uma virada na administração do pós-guerra. Entretanto, os comandantes americanos esperam um aumento das atividades da resistência no curto prazo e ainda falta a participação da comunidade internacional na reconstrução do país.

But Mr. Bush should also aggressively seek stronger international support, including that of traditional U.S. allies in Europe and elsewhere who did not support the war. Many countries are holding back potential contributions of troops, civilian advisers and financial resources because they object to the administration's insistence on monopolizing authority over the postwar administration, command of peacekeeping forces and even the distribution of reconstruction contracts.

O New York Times tb levanta a possibilidade de um aumento da resistência no Iraque nos próximos dias, mas acredita que o sucesso da operação em Mosul pode ajudar nos esforços para capturar o Saddam por diminuir a pressão sobre possíveis informantes e melhorar o moral das tropas americanas na região.

The attack that killed Qusay and Uday Hussein could set off an immediate wave of retribution attacks, officials said, but the deaths should also embolden more Iraqis to come forward with critical information to energize the American military's antiguerrilla operations.

O Asia Times mostra que há outros grupos que lutam contra a ocupação americana, além dos membros do partido Bath, os mais afetados pela morte de Qusay e Uday.

# Different groups from among the ranks of the Ba'ath Party who have formed small pockets. They are well coordinated and well equipped, with rocket-propelled grenades and small missile launchers. They are spread all over the north of Iraq (aka the Arabian belt) and target US convoys and installations in particular.
# Small pockets of Arab tribes who have been left out of the current interim setup and who see no hope of ever being represented. They are not well organized and launch random attacks on US forces.
# A few thousand Arabs who arrived in Iraq before the US-led invasion who have joined hands with different resistance groups. They include Afghans.
# Independent groups of gangsters who have taken advantage of the lawless situation in the country to establish fiefdoms, especially in the regions of Khals and Kirkuk in the north. They also randomly attack US troops.