Battle of An Nasiriyah Points Up Problem For Coalition Forces

The battle at An Nasiriyah, the fiercest so far in this war, will continue. Despite U.S. reluctance to engage in urban warfare, coalition troops simply must push through the area to secure a safe crossing to the left bank of the Euphrates River. Building a pontoon bridge is only a temporary solution — and one that will not resolve the threat that Iraqi forces that continue to hold the city could threaten supplies and troops in the future.