The New York Times > International > Middle East > Battle Plans: All Sides Prepare for American Attack on Falluja

Here's in a nutshell how the fight for Falluja shapes up. Martyrdom is at hand for the terrorist 'insurgents'

"We are going to rid the city of insurgents," said Lt. Col. Gary Brandl, a battalion commander in charge of about 800 marines at a base outside the city. "If they do fight, we will kill them."


"The man, who identified himself as Abu Muhammad, said the fighters were more numerous and better prepared than the last time they battled the Americans, in April. "We trust in God," he said, explaining why he thought that the insurgents were so strong. "We have two choices - victory or martyrdom."