So my opinion is valid or excusable in your eyes as long as I served? And don't you mean a rat infested shit hole? I make it sound like that because that's how it is except that it doesn't 'require' local forces. The only thing required is the oppositions defeat and it should've happened months ago. The only reason people and leaders are saying let the locals handle it is because it's not worth it to them to handle it. And no you don't have to hold the place forever afterwards, just until it's stable. I realize that took awhile last time and it didn't work but it's not like it was the 5th try, it was the 1st try. Might work out differently. And the 'duty' of it all depends on what you find morally wrong. It's the 'with power comes responsibility' thing where if you have the might to stop bad things that others couldn't or couldn't as easily, you step in because it's the right thing to do. But yes, taking a city with a large army is simple. You either go in one end and start pushing them back building by building or you surround them and do the same thing. They'll either resist and you fight them and take the city or they'll assimilate and you take the city and find them. It's not rocket science. Yes people are going to get seriously hurt but that's a part of war. at least it will be fighting soldiers (who signed up knowing armed conflict was a distinct possibility) and not terrified civilians. Self preservation ought to go out the window when you have shit like this happening.