TIKRIT, Iraq, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Former Iraqi regime elements have been "brought to their knees" in the U.S. 4th Infantry Division area of Iraq, the division commander said Thursday.
Speaking with reporters in a video conference, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno said capture of Saddam Hussein was a major defeat for the enemy.
The most important result of Saddam's capture, Odierno said, was the increase in intelligence coming from Iraqis on anti-coalition activities.
Attacks on the coalition have lessened, and the intensity of the resistance is down from last month, Odierno told the American Forces Press Service.
Odierno said while the overall numbers of attacks are declining, the percentage of attacks aimed at Iraqi civilians and Iraqi security forces has risen.
But this is having a backlash against former regime forces.
Even Sunni Iraqis -- those most likely to support the former regime -- are showing signs of desperation, Odierno said.
"I believe the Iraqis feel, 'Why are they doing this?'" he said. "They are getting very frustrated with many of these attacks where a lot of civilians -- young children -- are being killed."
Odierno said he expects suicide bombers could become more of a problem as regime hold-outs become more desperate.
