U.S. Reduces ‘Counterproductive’ Raids On Iraqis

"It was a fact that I started to get multiple indicators that maybe our iron-fisted approach to the conduct of ops was beginning to alienate Iraqis," The New York Times quoted as saying Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, the chief commander of U.S.-led troops forces in Iraq.

The general said that he got these indictors from Iraqi leaders who supported the "the U.S.-led coalition."

Their message, he said, has been that "when you take a father in front of his family and put a bag over his head and put him on the ground, you have had a significant adverse effect on his dignity and respect in the eyes of his family."

General Sanchez said the message from the Iraqis was that in doing this, you create more enemies than you capture.

"I started to get those sensings from multiple sources, all the way from the Governing council down to average people."

General Sanchez further admitted that the U.S. troops have insulted the dignity of Iraqis by their provocations for being ignorant about their own culture, traditions and values.

"Unquestionably, I think, we created in this culture some Iraqis that then had to act because of their value systems against us in terms of revenge, possibly because there were casualties on their side and also because of the impact on their dignity and respect," he said.

Under the new approach, the post said, American forces are expected to withdraw from towns that are quiet and leave the policing to the Iraqis.

In conducting raids, American troops will carry out a "cordon and knock" procedure in which a home is surrounded and the troops seek permission to enter accompanied by an Iraqi representative, instead of breaking down the door.

And when searching a mosque is required, US troops will first send in Iraqi representatives.

The daily further added that the new American approach also reflects a recognition that widespread raids could unintentionally be creating a reservoir of support for the insurgents or even spurring revenge attacks by ordinary citizens.

"We are in fact at a critical point," Sanchez said. "The need for us to preserve the support of the Iraqi people that are lined up behind the coalition right now is important."