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No need for additional US troops in Iraq now: US commander
Washington, July 07: The outgoing commander of US troops in Iraq said today it is too soon to deploy additional US forces there, despite a growing chorus of calls for a stronger US military presence following a spate of recent attacks.
Washington, July 07: The outgoing commander of US troops in Iraq said today it is too soon to deploy additional US forces there, despite a growing chorus of calls for a stronger US military presence following a spate of recent attacks.
"It's not time to send in additional troops," said
General Tommy Franks.
There are currently about 171,000 us troops stationed in Iraq. Franks has said in recent interviews that the occupation could ultimately require more than 200,000 troops, depending on how events unfold there.
But he said today it is too soon to begin those new deployments.
"What we want to do is to continue to move forward toward establishing security by working with the Iraqis inside Iraq," he said.
Franks, whose last day on the job is today, made his remarks amid a growing chorus of calls, including by several prominent members of the US Congress, for the Pentagon to boost its forces on the ground in Iraq.
US troops continue to come under attack nearly three months after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.
The attacks have been blamed on loyalists from Saddam's Baath party and fedayeen militia fighters.
There are currently about 171,000 us troops stationed in Iraq. Franks has said in recent interviews that the occupation could ultimately require more than 200,000 troops, depending on how events unfold there.
But he said today it is too soon to begin those new deployments.
"What we want to do is to continue to move forward toward establishing security by working with the Iraqis inside Iraq," he said.
Franks, whose last day on the job is today, made his remarks amid a growing chorus of calls, including by several prominent members of the US Congress, for the Pentagon to boost its forces on the ground in Iraq.
US troops continue to come under attack nearly three months after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.
The attacks have been blamed on loyalists from Saddam's Baath party and fedayeen militia fighters.
Bureau Report