Bombing stiffening resistance
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But the deaths and injuries from misdirected or errant bombs, or from shrapnel and fragments that spray out into nearby homes even when the munitions find their desired target, are making more and more people believe that the United States is heedless of the Iraqi public. The danger is that when the decisive battle comes, many will rally to Saddam and take up arms against the U.S. and British troops.
So far, the population has shown itself more willing to shoot at the Americans and British than to welcome them. This has been true even in cities and towns with large Shiite populations that rose up against Saddam after the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
The question is whether the same thing will happen in Baghdad.
In Radiha Khatoun, the answer after Monday's bombing seemed to be yes. Residents said they discounted U.S. claims that it seeks to avoid civilian targets and that the bombing must have been in error.
"This is not the first time that they have targeted civilian buildings," Atef insisted. "They would like to destroy the civilian population."
In response, he said, "we will sacrifice ourselves. We are not frightened by the bombing -- we are motivated to be stronger."
It appears that the bombing campaign is actually building support for Saddam. People that would otherwise welcome regime change are getting angry at the massive US bombing campaign. This is a serious problem not only over the short term, but each day of bombing is making it that much harder for the government that will replace Saddam.
Jay