Iraqi Army Not Ready to Defend Fallujah

FALLUJAH, Iraq - It's been two years since U.S. forces cleared out this dangerous western city, the bloodiest urban combat of the Iraq war. But Iraqi soldiers still aren't ready to stop Fallujah from becoming an insurgent stronghold again.

U.S. teams say training efforts have been undermined by corruption, a dearth of basic equipment and Iraqi soldiers' mistrust of those from different Muslim backgrounds and lack of faith in the government.

Iraqi commanders acknowledge they can't handle a city as large and volatile as Fallujah without American support - especially with the country teetering on the edge of civil war between the Shiite majority and Sunni minority.

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