Word: loyalism
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...limited strengths by deploying highly motivated loyalist paramilitaries to the towns and cities where they could help him keep his grip on power. Saddam carefully chose forces that could handle double duty, tying down coalition troops with a stubborn stream of skirmishes while compelling local populations to stay loyal...
...second week of the campaign, advancing coalition troops faced up to one of the fundamental miscalculations of the early days of the war: blasting conventional Iraqi forces hasn't been enough. They also have to go into towns and take out Baath Party officials and fedayeen fighters loyal to Saddam. Only then can one even begin to talk about prospects of local people--circumspect after the U.S. encouraged previous uprisings that were later crushed--partying in the streets. "Only when there is physical presence can people feel safe," says Sergeant Major David Howell, with 3/4 Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment...
...threat to allied forces by fighters--even single fighters--loyal to Saddam was illustrated last Saturday morning when an Iraqi suicide bomber killed four G.I.s at a checkpoint north of the central Iraqi city of Najaf. A senior intelligence official told TIME that the U.S. believes its forces are also under threat from Mujahidin-e Khalq, a militant Iranian group that operates in southern Iraq opposed to the government in Tehran. "That will be an important thing to watch," says the official. "They've been generously supplied and supported by the [Iraqi] regime...
...SADDAM'S MOST LOYAL FORCES...
Special Republican Guard 15,000-25,000 Largely recruited from Saddam's al-Bu Nasir tribe and other loyal groups, SRG troops are scattered throughout Baghdad and well-trained in urban combat. Its units protect Saddam and top Baath Party officials...