THEN THERE IS the "Scumbag" factor. Interestingly, I have found this story only from non-US media...and the place I've found it most is in the Arab media...draw your own conclusions.

"There are still some regime thugs," said Major General James Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Division. "They are not significant and are relatively easy to take out," he said, describing them as ill-trained "scumbags."