.Abizaid: No troop reduction in Iraq
By Julian E. Barnes and Peter Spiegel
September 20, 2006
The top American commander in the Middle East said Tuesday that continuing violence in Iraq coupled with delays in forming an effective government and viable security forces will prevent any reduction of U.S. troops before next spring.
Army Gen. John Abizaid, the head of the U.S. Central Command, said that six months ago he would have predicted that two U.S. brigades, about 7,000 soldiers, could have been withdrawn by now. But deteriorating conditions scuttled those plans.
"We clearly did not achieve the force levels we had hoped to. Why is that? Part of it is that the sectarian violence got worse and part of it is the development of the security forces," Abizaid said.
Earlier this year, Gen. George Casey, the top commander in Iraq, told the White House that he hoped to withdraw substantial numbers of troops by fall. But after carrying out small reductions early this year, the Pentagon has increased the numbers of U.S. soldiers and Marines in Iraq to 147,000, an increase of about 20,000 since June.
As conditions have worsened for Iraqis, the war also has grown increasingly unpopular with Americans and looms as the major issue in November's elections.
Abizaid, who was in Washington for meetings with Pentagon officials, defended the recent decision to move troops from other parts of Iraq to Baghdad, saying stabilizing the capital was "the most important military priority." Rising numbers of slayings and attacks prompted the moves.
On the current number of troops in Iraq, Abizaid said: "I think that this level will probably have to be sustained through the spring, then we will re-evaluate."
Casey said late last month that it would take a year to 18 months before Iraqi troops are ready to assume the bulk of security functions.
Asked if he needed more troops to defeat the insurgency in the Sunni-dominated Anbar province, Abizaid answered: "Where would you like to get them from?"
"There are 500,000 people in the American Army," Abizaid said. "It is important that the American force as a whole be managed in such a manner that it can deal with the military problem in Iraq and Afghanistan and unforeseen problems that may arise, say from Iran."
September 20, 2006
The top American commander in the Middle East said Tuesday that continuing violence in Iraq coupled with delays in forming an effective government and viable security forces will prevent any reduction of U.S. troops before next spring.Army Gen. John Abizaid, the head of the U.S. Central Command, said that six months ago he would have predicted that two U.S. brigades, about 7,000 soldiers, could have been withdrawn by now. But deteriorating conditions scuttled those plans.
"We clearly did not achieve the force levels we had hoped to. Why is that? Part of it is that the sectarian violence got worse and part of it is the development of the security forces," Abizaid said.
Earlier this year, Gen. George Casey, the top commander in Iraq, told the White House that he hoped to withdraw substantial numbers of troops by fall. But after carrying out small reductions early this year, the Pentagon has increased the numbers of U.S. soldiers and Marines in Iraq to 147,000, an increase of about 20,000 since June.
As conditions have worsened for Iraqis, the war also has grown increasingly unpopular with Americans and looms as the major issue in November's elections.
Abizaid, who was in Washington for meetings with Pentagon officials, defended the recent decision to move troops from other parts of Iraq to Baghdad, saying stabilizing the capital was "the most important military priority." Rising numbers of slayings and attacks prompted the moves.
On the current number of troops in Iraq, Abizaid said: "I think that this level will probably have to be sustained through the spring, then we will re-evaluate."
Casey said late last month that it would take a year to 18 months before Iraqi troops are ready to assume the bulk of security functions.
Asked if he needed more troops to defeat the insurgency in the Sunni-dominated Anbar province, Abizaid answered: "Where would you like to get them from?"
"There are 500,000 people in the American Army," Abizaid said. "It is important that the American force as a whole be managed in such a manner that it can deal with the military problem in Iraq and Afghanistan and unforeseen problems that may arise, say from Iran."
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