"The command and control of the Republican Guards is at the point now where the most they can do are sporadic attacks by very, very small units," Myers said at a Pentagon news conference.

The Special Republican Guards and Special Security Organizations, reputedly regime's most loyal units, might have greater "fighting spirit" but even that was questionable, he said.

"Generally, it does not appear very coherent at this point," he said.

He said it was likely that at some point the Iraqi units now fighting in small groups may regroup to put up a more effective fighting.

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