The Battle in Fallujah

AMERICAN AND Iraqi troops appeared to be on the way to success yesterday in their operation to retake control of Fallujah from anti-government insurgents and foreign terrorists who have held the city for six months. The relative ease of the advance so far, and the simultaneous eruption of insurgent attacks elsewhere in Iraq, suggested that many of the enemy forces had slipped away rather than fight a pitched battle with Marines -- which means that Fallujah's recapture will not break the back of the insurgency or lead to a major reduction of violence. Yet the prospective restoration of government rule and the elimination of an open haven for terrorists is a significant step forward, provided that rule can be sustained and bolstered with reconstruction and participation in upcoming national elections.

One measure of this week's operation is its contrast with the failed attempt by American troops to retake Fallujah in April. Then, despite absorbing and inflicting heavy casualties, U.S. forces were unable to quickly seize the city. Allied Iraqi forces crumbled or deserted, and the conflict sparked uprisings elsewhere in Iraq that threatened to plunge the country into chaos. In this case, reported casualties so far have been relatively light, though there appears to be extensive destruction of buildings in Fallujah. At least some Iraqi forces have participated in the battle. And while there have been rhetorical protests from some Sunni leaders, including one call for a boycott of the elections, there have been no uprisings elsewhere. Shiite towns that exploded in April, such as Najaf and Karbala, are peaceful, and many Iraqis appear willing to accept decisions by the government of Ayad Allawi to use U.S. forces to establish its authority. Mr. Allawi's own unflinching commitment, despite the hideous kidnapping of three close relatives, offered Iraqis vivid demonstration of his courage and of the savagery of his opposition.

This is real if incremental progress -- and yet all of it relies on the ability of Mr. Allawi to maintain the hold on Fallujah that the Marines appear close to winning for him. The first test will be of the loyalty and professionalism of government police and security forces, which will surely be probed by insurgents as soon as U.S. forces in the city are drawn down. But Mr. Allawi also faces a crucial political challenge: With U.S. support he must quickly launch economic reconstruction and reach out to those Sunni leaders in Fallujah who, freed from immediate intimidation by armed extremists, can be induced to participate in the emerging political system. The war in Iraq won't end anytime soon, and more battles like Fallujah will be necessary. But if tactical military victories can be closely followed by vigorous economic and political initiatives, there will be a chance to inch toward a more durable stability.