The Chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee is warning of increased violence in Iraq as the September 15th surge assessment report from General David Patraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker approaches.

West central Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton made the comments at the State Fair in Sedalia, saying he fears additional attacks can be expected against American forces and Iraqi civilians.

Comparing what he sees in the near future in Vietnam-like terms, Skelton says, "It is very likely that we will see a Tet-like offensive in Iraq."

Skelton adds he hopes that the violence he anticipates will not sway the reception the report is given on Capitol Hill. He says he worries the stepped up violence could cause the report, "to be bent or misconstrued one way or the other."