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US orders 35,000 more troops to Gulf
Washington, Jan 12: The Bush administration has ordered another 35,000 troops to the Gulf as part of a rapidly growing build-up for possible war with Iraq.
Washington, Jan 12: The Bush administration has ordered another 35,000 troops to the Gulf as part of a rapidly growing build-up for possible war with Iraq.
It was the second deployment order in 24 hours.
‘The New York Times’ said that this means the United States could be positioned for an attack on Iraq by mid-to-late February with force exceeding 150,000 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. However, increasing pressure from allies for Washington to allow UN weapons inspectors to complete their work in Iraq has raised speculation in recent days about whether US war plans might yet be slowed.
The latest deployment order was signed overnight by defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and includes thousands of marines, an army airborne infantry brigade, a squadron of air force F-117 nighthawk stealth fighters and two squadrons of F-16cj radar-jamming fighters, ‘The Times’ reported.
A Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on the report.
On Friday, Rumsfeld signed orders to deploy nearly 35,000 troops, including plans to send 7,000 marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and another 7,000 from Camp Pendleton, California, as well as troops from other services.
It was the second deployment order in 24 hours.
‘The New York Times’ said that this means the United States could be positioned for an attack on Iraq by mid-to-late February with force exceeding 150,000 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. However, increasing pressure from allies for Washington to allow UN weapons inspectors to complete their work in Iraq has raised speculation in recent days about whether US war plans might yet be slowed.
The latest deployment order was signed overnight by defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld and includes thousands of marines, an army airborne infantry brigade, a squadron of air force F-117 nighthawk stealth fighters and two squadrons of F-16cj radar-jamming fighters, ‘The Times’ reported.
A Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on the report.
On Friday, Rumsfeld signed orders to deploy nearly 35,000 troops, including plans to send 7,000 marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and another 7,000 from Camp Pendleton, California, as well as troops from other services.
Bureau Report