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A newly released UK government file reveals that senior US official Richard Armitage warned that George W Bush believed he was on a “mission from God” to crush Iraqi insurgents, leading to a demand for US forces to “kick ass” in the face of rising resistance. Armitage dismissed claims by the US commander in Iraq about quickly putting down a major uprising in Fallujah as “bullshit” and urged Tony Blair to influence Bush towards a wider political process for restoring order. Despite Bush’s “mission accomplished” declaration in 2003, violent insurgency quickly took hold in Iraq, leading to bloody battles such as Operation Vigilant Resolve in Fallujah to regain control.
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